Message from Governor Shapiro

Dear Students,

As Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I want to wish you a great start to the new school year. For returning students, welcome back to what I hope will be a productive, enriching, and fulfilling year pursuing your education. For new students, congratulations as you embark on this new chapter of your life. Here in Pennsylvania, we respect all paths to success - and we believe everyone deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.

By pursuing a higher education, you are charting a course that will require you to think critically, act thoughtfully, and challenge yourself to be your best. Beyond academics, this is also a time to make your voice heard. Pennsylvania is the birthplace of our democracy - where our founders first created a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. As you step into this new phase of your education, I encourage you to explore the importance of that legacy - and the responsibility each and every one of us has to get involved and make our voices heard. Democracy thrives on active participation, and you play a crucial role in protecting our fundamental freedoms and shaping our future.

You begin this journey in an important year - a presidential election year! If you are a United States citizen, I encourage you to make a plan to vote by Election Day, November 5, 2024. You just need to follow a few simple steps: 1) check and update your voter registration, 2) decide whether you will vote by mail or vote at a polling place on Election Day, and 3) either request your no excuse mail-in ballot or identify your in-person polling location.

As a student attending college in Pennsylvania, you can register to vote at either your pre-college home address OR your new address at college. You may choose to vote by mail or vote in person from the address where you decide to register. If you need to register to vote and select to vote by mail, you can do both in one simple application at vote.pa.gov/register.

Your dedicated county election officials - the local leaders who administer Pennsylvania's safe, secure, free, and fair elections - may have additional information and resources on voting in your county. Find more information - including how to contact your county election officials and where your Election Day polling location is located - at vote.pa.gov/county.

This year, I hope you engage in open dialogue, explore diverse perspectives, and make your voice heard - no matter who you cast your ballot for. I wish you a fulfilling college experience that expands your horizons and allows you to contribute meaningfully to your community. Welcome to this new chapter - I am so excited to see the impact you'll make on our world.

All the best,

Governor Josh Shapiro

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