LibGuides: Civic Engagement: Voting and Election Resources

“Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

--Abraham Lincoln (Paraphrased from F. B. Carpenter's Six Months at The White House with Abraham Lincoln: The Story of a Picture (1866, pg. 275)).

Use the links on this page to access more detailed information about: undefined

Candidates and their platforms
Polling places
Voter eligibility and registration
Absentee ballots,
and more resources critical to your understanding and participation in civic society!

If your county or state is not listed below and you need help finding your local voter resources, please contact the library for assistance. Email us at library@pacollege.edu or call 717-947-6022.

Image courtesy of Pixaby.

Nationwide Voter Resources

Are you unsure what elections are happening, what the candidates stand for, or what the major issues are? These resources can help you become a more informed voter!

Ballot Ready
Enter your address to find information on candidates and referendums on your ballot. Information is linked to the original source, allowing you to further investigate information.
Fact Check
This site monitors "the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political player" across all media.
Vote411
Provides information on your local candidates and their positions on issues.
Vote Smart
Non-partisan organization the collects and provides information on candidates
Ballotpedia
A free online encyclopedia of elections and candidates, up to date with all the most current and upcoming elections.

Pennsylvania Voter Resources

Pennsylvania Department of State
The Secretary of State's office oversees all statewide elections and voting within Pennsylvania.
Votes PA
Official Pennsylvania voter information website. Find out about registering to vote, absentee ballots, polling places, and more.
Voter Registration Status
Helpful tool if you've moved - you can see if you're registered and where your polling place is located.
Voting by Absentee or Mail-In Ballot
Request a mail-in or absentee ballot for Pennsylvania.

Voter Resources - Other States

Maryland State Board of Elections
Register to vote, look up or update your voter information, review frequently asked questions, get absentee ballots, find polling places, and more.
Absentee (Mail-In) Voting in MD
Contains information and resources about absentee voting in the state of Maryland.
Delaware Department of Elections
Learn about registering to vote, candidates, polling places, and more for Delaware residents.
Absentee (Mail-in) Voting in DE
Contains information and resources about absentee voting in the state of Delaware.

Lancaster County Election Resources

Use the following links to find information about local elections, candidates, and voter registration in Lancaster County.

Other Counties in PA

Use the following links to find information about local elections and voter registration in Pennsylvania counties outside of Lancaster.

Participate in Government!

Want to do more to influence government and participate in the democratic process than voting? Consider the follow options to stay engaged with government, add your voice to important conversations, and contribute to democratic traditions.

Write to Your Representatives
This guide from the APA walks you through how to write to the members of Congress who represent you, to express your views on the topics that matter to you.
Hold Civil Discourse
In today's political and social environment, it can be hard to hold open conversations with people who support different parties or politicians as you do. Consider these strategies to better hold honest and open discussions with citizens and voters of all kinds.
Volunteer at the Polls
The logistics of election day are driven by thousands of volunteers. You can become one of them just by signing up!
Volunteer to Register Voters
Organizations of all kinds, like the League of Women Voters, routinely run volunteer drives to register new voters. It's easy to sign up with them!
Get Involved in Local Issues
As the adage goes, "All politics is local." Pay attention to your local news: look for town meetings you can attend, or candidates you may want to support, and reach out. Local politics is a great way to get involved in government on a small scale. There's no one link to go to here, but consider this guide as a starting point.
Pay Attention to Politics Year-Round
Political issues don't go away after an election is over. When most people tune out is the best time for you to tune in, for your voice to be heard actively. Consider the other myriad of ways you can raise your voice through this guide from the New York Times.

Civic Engagement: Voting and Election Resources