You wouldn't arrive at class without the bulk pack or pick up a date without a wad of cab cash - so don't make your trip to the polls without preparing first, either.
To avoid disenfranchisement, remember the following:
In Pennsylvania, the polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Individuals who are voting for the first time in their district will need to provide valid forms of ID at the polling place, which include a driver's license, passport, student ID or employee ID.
College senior Bren Darrow, director of the non-partisan group Penn Leads the Vote, said that he recommends that all students bring a driver's license, as most are first-time voters in their district.
Voters who are required to present an ID but cannot will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot. If a voter is not on the list, but is sure that he or she is at the correct polling place, he or she may also choose to vote via provisional ballot.
It also may be a good idea to bring a cell phone, to report any voting problems. Questions or complaints about voting can be directed to 866-MYVOTE1, a hotline set up by Penn's Fels Institute of Government to take stock of and address voters' issues on Election Day.
Familiarize yourself with the voting machines and process through online instructional videos, made available by the state. To see a cartoon flight attendant guide you through the voting process, visit votingbooth.state.pa.us.
Additional online resources can be found at www.dos.state.pa.us/voting, Pennsylvania's official voting Web site, and www.seventy.org, the site for Philadelphia's non-partisan political watchdog group, the Committee of Seventy.
