Temple University Announces Classes will be held on Election Day
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WRITTEN BY: Sophia Levine
PHOTO BY: Oliver Sabo
Temple University will not cancel classes on Election Day after a petition circulated calling for canceled classes gained four thousand signatures.
In an email to students, Chris Carey, Senior Associate Dean of Students, said that they could not fit a class cancellation into the schedule but will start a conversation on future cancellations on election day.
“After careful consideration, we have come to the conclusion that it is just not feasible to adjust the academic calendar and all its variables at this point in the semester,” Carey said. “That being said, this conversation will continue as we plan for future academic years. After Election Day, university leadership will convene a working group to consider these suggestions for future years.”
The petition that sparked the email was started by senior political science major Jared Goldberg and has received over four thousand signatures. The petition called for no classes on election day, as well as resources for students and community members. Goldberg’s story was covered by multiple Philadelphia outlets, including The Philadelphia Inquirer and Billy Penn.
Michelle Arellano, a freshman Communications Studies major who signed the petition, was unhappy about the decision but is hopeful that professors will help students get out to vote.
“I am disappointed we are not getting a day off to vote, but the professor of my morning class is canceling class that day and is encouraging us to vote,” said Arellano. “I hope more professors allow students the time to vote.”
In 2020, 66% of college students voted in the elections which was 14% higher than in 2016 when only 52% of college students voted in the Presidential Elections. In 2020, according to The Temple News, 73% of Temple students voted. With the 2022 Midterm elections coming up, Temple Student Government has partnered with Temple Votes to register students and hold events throughout October to educate them on planning to vote.
Students at Temple University are faced with the choice of voting in Philadelphia, or in the county or state they come from. Shannon Raymer, a freshman Psychology major, says that she will be voting by mail in Bucks County instead of in Philadelphia.
“Philadelphia is Democratic and aligns with my views, while Bucks County is a swing county which means that my vote will help determine the results of the elections taking place in the county. I am also voting this way because it is easier if there are classes on election day where I can vote and not miss classes,” said Raymer.
Mail-in ballots must be received by voters’ county election board by Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. to be counted in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. In Pennsylvania, mail-in ballots must be dated and signed to be counted, per a Nov. 1 court ruling.
For in-person voting, Philadelphia polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters who are in line by 8 p.m. will also get to cast a ballot.
