As classes are remote on Election Day for the  first time in Pitt history, many students who didn’t vote early or by mail-in ballot are heading to their polling stations today to vote. 

Pennsylvania has the most electoral votes (19) of the seven declared swing states in this election cycle, giving it the potential to decide the outcome of the presidential race. 

Both presidential candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump visited Pittsburgh on Monday to encourage last-minute votes to close out the presidential campaign cycle. 

Polls in Allegheny County opened this morning at 7 a.m. and will close tonight at 8 p.m. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. will still be allowed to vote. 

Live updates from student polling locations Posvar Hall, the William Pitt Union, Soldiers and Sailors Museum, and the South Oakland Fire Station on McKee Place can be viewed here. 

12:09 p.m.

Sara Dos Santos, a first-year public health major and registered Republican, said she voted for the first time this election and casted her ballot for Donald Trump because she “wants to be able to afford a house sometime soon.”

“I miss the way prices were before inflation,” Dos Santos said. “Overall, when he was president, I saw positive change in my country, and in four years, I’ve seen negative change in my country with Kamala. That’s all it is.”

Cassidy Whitcomb, a first-year nursing student, also said she voted for Trump and described him as “for the American patriot.” She said her biggest concern was the border.

“I think that it’s wrong that we’re allowing 10 million people to come into our country illegally and killing American citizens,” Whitcomb said. “I’m totally for people coming in legally … I just don’t agree with leaving [the border] open.”

Zachary Call, a first-year engineering major, said he voted for Harris because he opposes Trump’s foreign policy.

“I’m from a military family and my dad works for NATO,” Call said. “Trump’s views of wanting to separate from NATO was one of the main things [that influenced my vote].”

Glenn Lewis, 62, a South Oakland resident and piano player at the Pittsburgh Opera, said he voted Democrat “straight down” over concern for women’s reproductive rights, and referenced an event featuring Harris during the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court justice hearing.

“She asked ‘How many laws can you name that regulate men’s bodies?,’” Lewis said. “Of course, there are none, but there’s always been laws trying to regulate women’s bodies, and that needs to stop.”

Anastasia Pendos, a first-year nursing student, also said she voted for Harris since she cares about issues like abortion and immigration.

“I think the way that our country’s going, she’ll be better for our country in general,” Pendos said. “She just is more representative of a woman’s vote over a man’s vote.”

Sophia Bellinghausen, a junior communication science major, said she voted in-person because she wanted to have the “full experience” voting for the first time.

“I voted for Kamala Harris because I love all of her policies and she’s really an advocate for women’s rights,” Bellinghausen said. “I just think that’s the kind of person that we should have.”

Caleb Epstein, an undeclared sophomore, said he did not feel comfortable sharing his vote, but voted in-person to make sure his vote was counted. 

“It’s not that I don’t trust mail and ballots. I don’t trust the US postal service,” Epstein said. 

10:32 a.m.

Amaya Aranda, a junior neuroscience major, said she came to the polls early in the morning to vote for Harris.

“This is my first presidential election, so I wanted to come to the polls,” Aranda said. “I was worried there was going to be a long line later so I wanted to get it done early.”

Sophia McAllen, an undecided sophomore, said she also wanted to come out early to avoid the lines. McAllen said she wanted to get her vote in in-person because she “know[s] that [her] counts.”

Charlotte Hunter, a senior math major, said she chose to vote in person today because she got to do it together with her friends.

“It’s fun to do it together,” said Hunter. “Also it feels more symbolic and I didn’t have to mail in.”

Spencer Upston, a junior economics major, said they voted on the ballot for Democrats out of concern for the economy.

“As someone who’s going to be looking for jobs in the next 18 months — that’s really at the front of my mind,” Upston said. “I think she’s laid out more of a concrete plan, compared to him just kind of fear mongering.”

Nina Bober, a senior psychology major, said she voted for Harris “as a woman.”

“I voted for a woman’s right to choose, and to support her policies like access to healthcare, women’s rights, and abortions,” Bober said. 

Dennis Tulin, an undeclared first-year, said he voted for Harris mostly because he didn’t like the opposing candidate.

“I voted for Kamala Harris mainly because of the opposition,” Tulin said. “At the same time I think there are good things to be said about her policies and people overstate how bad the economy is and Biden has done a lot to improve it and Kamala will continue it.”

Emma Hannan, Sarah George, Sydney Krasniewski, Naomi Weiss, Kyra McCague, and Katie Hovan contributed to reporting in this article.