Philadelphians will vote on several ballot initiatives to amend the city's Home Rule Charter. The first ballot initiative asks whether Philadelphia should merge the duties of the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation into a newly created Department of Parks and Recreation.

Quarterback Kyle Olson is officially done for the season. The team confirmed that Olson tore the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in his left knee in the second quarter of Saturday's 34-27 loss to Brown. That game was Olson's first start of the season after battling with senior Rob Irvin for the top job since training camp.

When Penn students enter their polling station tomorrow, they may see some familiar faces making sure everything runs smoothly. A number of students will be serving as poll workers and watchers to facilitate the voting process and to ensure that no illegal activities take place.

As the United States' financial sector melts down, the usually low-key race for Pennsylvania state treasurer has gained unusual prominence. The state treasurer acts as steward of the commonwealth's finances, directing taxes and managing state assets, such as pension funds.

On a day when a young, costumed Quakers fan was booed for donning the garb of Donovan McNabb as part of an Abner's Cheesesteak Giveaway, it was the ghost of another popular Philly punching bag that may have done in the Quakers. "These guys are good receivers, but I think a lot of us came into this game thinking they were Terrell Owens," All-Ivy Penn corner Chris Wynn said.

It's hard for me to remember a time before this election; it seems like it's been going on forever. Everyday we are bombarded non-stop with breaking news, election updates and attack ads. Every celebrity from Chuck Norris to that kid from Superbad has implored us to vote.

Name: Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. Party affiliation: Democratic Birthday: Nov. 20, 1942 Birthplace/Where he has lived: Biden was born in Scranton, Pa., and lived there until age 10. In his early teens he moved to Claymont, Del. and then moved to Wilmington several years later.

The record for the largest pinata in the world was broken in Philadelphia yesterday. But the pinata itself, to the dismay of the hundreds gathered for the event, stayed intact. A large crowd formed at Washington Avenue and South Broad Street yesterday afternoon to see the breaking of a six-story pinata filled with 8,000 pounds of candy, but many left disappointed after safety concerns caused the breaking to be postponed.

Incumbent James Roebuck, Jr., 63, is running unopposed for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives seat from the district of West Philadelphia. "I hope [the lack of opposition is] confirmation that I've been doing a great job as state rep," he said. Roebuck, a Democrat, has been in office since 1985.

Name: Sarah Louise Heath Palin Party Affiliation: Republican Birthday: Feb. 11, 1964 Birthplace/Where she has lived: Palin was born in Sandpoint, Idaho and moved to Skagway, Alaska as an infant. In 1972, she moved to Wasilla, Alaska, where she lived until college.

Although a Democrat has never held the position of Pennsylvania Attorney General, that could change this year. The three candidates running are Democrat John Morganelli, Republican Tom Corbett and Libertarian Marakay Rogers. Corbett, 59, is the current Pennsylvania Attorney General and has served in this position since 2005.

McCain McCain wants to make the information higher-education institutions report to the government each year available to families to help students make more informed choices. He also wants to simplify higher-education tax credits and federal financial aid.

With Homecoming and Halloween squeezed into one weekend, students most likely appreciated the extra hour of sleep - or party time - that daylight savings time allowed. As the days get shorter, the leaves turn colors, and as the temperature drops, flip flops and shorts are replaced by Ugg boots and sweatpants.

Running for Auditor General of Pennsylvania are incumbent Democrat Jack Wagner, Republican Chet Beiler and Libertarian Betsy Summers. Wagner has been Pennsylvania's Auditor General for the past three years and has a combined total of 30 years of political experience.

Senator Obama is not our savior. He will not solve all our problems in his first hundred days. He will not restore the economy overnight. But while Senator McCain is a candidate with a compelling history of public service, Obama offers a compelling vision for the direction of this country.

It was a frightful Halloween for the Penn women's and men's cross country teams. The Quakers fell short at the Ivy League Heptagonals on Friday in Van Cortlandt Park in New York, as the men finished in eighth place with 193 points, while the women came in sixth with 179 points.

Democrat Chaka Fattah has served Philadelphia well over the past 14 years. His opponent, Republican Adam Lang, simply doesn't match up to his legislative experience. We believe Fattah deserves another term. While we disapproved of his politically-selfish move to run for Mayor while still serving as our Congressman, Fattah has taken a leading role on education initiatives for lower-income students and for health care reform.