To account for coronavirus safety precautions and guidelines, the Centre County Board of Elections and Penn State have moved the university’s local polling location to the Bryce Jordan Center.

In year’s past, students, faculty, and other community members have voted in person at the HUB.

BJC officials believe the arena’s facilities and space should help voters feel safe while casting their ballots this fall.

“Since its opening in 1996, the Bryce Jordan Center has proudly served our community by bringing top-name performers in entertainment and sports to the Centre Region. We are honored to continue to serve the community by opening our doors to voters this election,” General Manager Al Karosas said. “The scale and design of the Bryce Jordan Center, as well as the many updates made to address COVID concerns, allow us to easily accommodate proper spatial distancing, provide frequent access to hand sanitizer stations, and offer convenient parking to voters.”

County officials felt the HUB’s high traffic volume and constraints would make social distancing an issue this fall.

“The Centre County Board of Commissioners and Board of Elections are grateful that the University is expanding access to the ballot box and providing a safe method for voters to make their voices heard,” Centre County Commissioner Michael Pipe said. “Utilizing the Bryce Jordan Center as both an early voting site and a polling location provides more options for voters to get involved in our democratic process.”

The satellite election office will be operating at the ticket center on between October 7 and 10, October 14 and 17, and October 21 and 24. On Election Day, it’ll operate in the arena’s entire concourse area.

Pennsylvanians have until October 19 to register to vote and until October 27 to request an absentee ballot. Ballots in Pennsylvania must be cast by 8 p.m. on November 3.

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