Scranton

Making Your Vote Count: Community discussion to focus on informed voting

Penn State Scranton will host a voter information event on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the campus' Sherbine Lounge, in the Study Learning Center. The event is open to the public and is free of charge. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

DUNMORE, Pa. — The right to vote is one of our most important rights as Americans, and one that every eligible American should exercise. But with so much information available — from the internet to social media, to a variety of media outlets, to the candidates' own marketing campaigns — it can be confusing and difficult for voters to learn what they need and want to know about the candidates who are running for office.

To help address this issue, Penn State Scranton is hosting an informative event titled "Making Your Vote Count," which aims to help voters access accurate and essential information about candidates before casting their votes on Election Day.

"Making Your Vote Count" is a free community event that will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the Study Learning Center’s Sherbine Lounge.

Lackawanna County's Director of Elections Elizabeth Hopkins and Penn State Professor of Political Science and Department Head Lee Ann Banaszak will guide voters through the technical aspects of voting, as well as addressing the complexities of the modern political landscape.

Banaszak’s presentation, "Navigating Whom To Vote For In A Digital and Polarized World," will address the challenges of accessing reliable information about political candidates, making it easier for voters to determine which candidates best represent their values and needs.

In addition to Banaszak's expertise, Hopkins will provide attendees with vital information on the voting process itself.

Whether voters are residents of Lackawanna County or student/temporary residents from outside the area, Hopkins will offer guidance on the voter registration process and the various methods of casting ballots. She will also share resources for accessing information on local races.

Together, Hopkins and Banaszak will address the challenges voters face in accessing reliable information and provide practical tips voters can use.

Whether attendees are seasoned voters or first-time participants in the democratic process, this event will help equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions.

Forms for voter registration and applications for absentee/mail-in ballots will also be available at the event.

For more information about the event, please contact Penn State Scranton’s Director of Strategic Communications Amy Gruzesky, via phone: 570-963-2580 or email: alg20@psu.edu.

Last Updated October 16, 2023