By Aubrey Henson

Let’s begin with the basics: What are the midterm elections, and how do they differ from presidential years?

Midterms are general elections held halfway through a president’s four-year term—always falling on the even-numbered year between presidential races. This year, the election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

In Pennsylvania, voters are deciding their state governor and lieutenant governor, their U.S. House representative, their state House representative, and their state senator in even-numbered districts.

A lot of young voters end up skipping it, figuring that if the White House isn’t up for grabs, it isn’t worth the trip.

“When it comes to picking a political candidate, I like to do my own research,” said Jayden Haines, a Delaware County Community College student. “The presidential election is the one that interests me the most because it is arguably the most important. The price of owning a home has not gone down at all. The price of groceries is still very expensive. The price of gas cost 4.50-5 dollars a gallon. This year I turned eighteen, and that made me the legal age to vote. I will be voting for the next presidential election, in 2028.”

Waiting four years, though, means sitting out on the state and county leaders who set community college budgets, pass local rental laws, and fix our roads.

How do I know if I’m registered?

If you voted recently in the 2024 presidential election or the 2025 municipal races, then you should be up to date. You can double-check your registration status and look up your assigned polling place right on the state’s election website (vote.pa.gov). The deadline for this election was Oct. 19.

One big thing that confuses students is party registration. Pennsylvania has closed primaries, so if you are registered as an independent or unaffiliated, you cannot vote in spring primary elections. But November is a general election. That means any registered voter can cast a ballot for anyone running, no matter what party you belong to.

Registered voters have two options: voting by mail or going to the polls in person.

If you applied for a mail-in ballot, keep an eye on your mailbox as Election Day gets closer. Follow the instructions inside, make sure to seal it inside the official secrecy envelope first, and get it turned in to your county election board by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count in Pennsylvania—it has to be physically in their hands by 8 p.m.

If you choose to vote in-person, you will be assigned a polling place according to your home address. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. If this is your first time voting at your polling place, you only need to show one form of ID. You can show a photo ID (like your driver’s license, student ID, or passport) or an approved non-photo document (like your voter registration card or a utility bill). If you have voted at that location before, you don’t have to show any ID at all.

Who will be on my ballot?

To see an exact sample ballot for your home address, check nonpartisan election tools like Ballotpedia. While your local legislative candidates depend on your district, every Pennsylvania voter has the governor’s race on their ticket:

In Pennsylvania, the governor and lieutenant governor run together on a single joint ticket:

• Democrat: Incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis

• Republican: Stacy Garrity and Jason Richey

• Libertarian: Ken Krawchuk and John Thomas

Beyond the governor, you will also vote on your federal House representative, your state representative in Harrisburg, and your state senator if your district is on this year’s ballot.

For students working hourly jobs, those state legislative seats often matter a lot more than what happens in Washington.

“The political issues that concern me most are tax on tips and tax on overtime. This is because I am a server in the restaurant industry and getting taxes on things that I work for affects me directly,” said Sophia Ciciretti, a DCCC student. “The elections that interest me most are the PA House and Senate. When voting for a candidate, I want to choose someone who protected individual freedoms and doesn’t let government involvement [stand] in the way of citizens’ everyday lives.”

How do I choose who to vote for?

Many young and first-time voters ask themselves this exact question. Liam Ventrella, a student at Millersville University, says the noise on TV makes it hard to learn anything real.

“I don’t feel particularly informed,” he said. “The campaigning I’ve been seeing on TV has done nothing to help the fact that I am ill-informed.”

Election workers in Chester County advise students not to get overwhelmed. A quick search of candidate websites or nonpartisan voter guides gives a clear look at where candidates stand on the minimum wage, student aid, and the cost of living.

Does my vote even count?

Both young and experienced voters share mixed feelings about whether people will show up. Grace Hutto, a student at Penn State University, lacks faith in her peers.

“I know so many people who aren’t voting because they don’t believe it’s their civic duty,” she said.

Even experienced voters share the same thought. Debra Morrison, a Chester County voter, believes that “a lot of people just turn out for presidential elections,” but has faith that due to the importance of these midterms, young people especially will show up. “I think that it’s getting more critical.”

When it comes down to it, midterms decide the policies that dictate rent, groceries, and tuition. For a lot of students, voting isn’t about political parties—it’s about having a say in what comes next.

“This election is especially important to me because it is my first time voting,” said Na’fyrra Wolfe, a DCCC student. “As a young woman of color, I worry about how political decisions, especially those involving the Supreme Court, could affect my future. I am currently living with my family because the cost of living makes becoming independent difficult. People are struggling to afford basic necessities… I believe every voice matters, and we must take responsibility for shaping our future.”

Photography by Javier Bennett