As Americans, two of the most patriotic activities one can participate in are voting in elections and serving on a jury of peers for civil and criminal trials. However, both of these activities can up a significant portion of one of a student's most precious commodity: time. Hopefully this short guide can provide a few helpful details for how to best fulfill your civic duty while at school.

A College Student's (Jury) Duty

While it is possible many students will never hear the call to uphold the Constitution's Sixth Amendment promising a jury trial while in college, there is a chance of it occurring. Given that possibility, students should be prepared for how they can participate in this activity.

First, it is always best to familiarize yourself with how your home state or municipality organizes their jury selections. Some states draw jury candidates from those with driver's licenses, while others focus on voter registration (see below), but each state will be different, so be aware of how yours handles the process.

The next important consideration is how you will participate in a jury, especially if you attend school out-of-state and are called to serve in your home state. Many states will allow you to postpone your call for jury, sometimes up to six months even. However, at some point, you will have to return to your home state to deal with the situation. Court clerks rarely consider attending college or other schooling activities an acceptable way to avoid jury duty, so be prepared for a prolonged discussion with them. During the height of the COVID pandemic, some municipalities conducted trials via web conferencing, and some may have implemented those features permanently. Again, it is best to connect with your court clerk to see the best way to participate.

When called to serve, the best thing to do is to examine your current circumstances. If you are in the middle of your spring semester, perhaps postponing your service to your county or municipality from February to July would be the wisest decision. By doing so, you will likely not miss any schooling, as most trials only last a few days, bringing your total time to participate in a jury to a minimum. However, if you are already in your summer break or just beginning the holiday break in early December, perhaps jumping on the opportunity to serve now while school is out of session would be the best course of action.

Universal Suffrage in the Election Process

"Elections belong to the people," Abraham Lincoln said. Sure, you say, but you're not going to bother with elections because you don't know how to vote while you're in college. If that's the case, consider the rest of Lincoln's quote: "If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters."

Over the last few years, college students have made a significant impact on elections with their voting habits and increased voter turnout, according to the Washington Post. Many institutions try to accommodate student voter registration and balloting, with many advertising the benefits of voting for students and educating them on the process. In fact, some degree of voter accommodation is required by law. In 1998, the Congress reauthorized the 1965 Higher Education Act, wherein "institutions must make a good faith effort to distribute voter registration forms and make such forms widely available to students in attendance." Indeed, many schools, especially smaller ones, will even provide transportation to polling places and will occasionally hold events detailing the importance and process of your suffrage.

There are many frequently asked questions regarding voting in college. Hopefully, the next section of this article will help you answer some of those outstanding queries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Voting in College

The voting process is determined by individual states and your local municipalities, both where you are attending college and also your hometown, so it's always prudent to go to your community's election officials when you have a question.

How Do I Register to Vote?

Each state has its own voter registration guidelines, and municipalities within each state may also vary, so check with the relevant election office. However, generally speaking, if you are eighteen years old, a U.S. citizen, meet all residency requirements, and register by the given deadline, you should be ready to vote. However, also note that some polls require ID or other paperwork to vote, so plan accordingly.

Most states allow online voter registration, and some states allow same-day registration. As always, confirming this information with your college, hometown election official, or your community of residence's election official is best.

Where Do I Vote if I'm an Out-of-state Student?

If you are an out-of-state student, you can register to vote in your home state or your college state.

Deciding which state to register to vote in depends on a variety of factors. Where you register determines your eligibility to vote in local elections. Another consideration is the difficulty of absentee voting in your home state when you are attending an out-of-state college. If you plan to stay in your college's state after graduation, it may be prudent to complete your voter registration ahead of time.

How Do I Vote in My Home State if I Can't Go Home?

If you are unable to return home for an election, your best course of action is to request an absentee ballot. Most states require that absentee ballots be returned by mail, which adds a timing component to your voting process, so be aware of that. Additionally, some states require that absentee ballots be signed by another registered voter of that state. If you are studying abroad, please see the Federal Voting Assistance Program's website to request an absentee ballot and explore your options to fulfill your civic duty..

The University of South Florida also provides a good reference for other in-state/out-of-state issues with voting, such as its impact on financial aid and tuition. Learning how the election process works and how best you can participate in the universal suffrage that all Americans have is one of the best ways to fulfill your civic duty as a college student (and beyond!). Likewise, the right to a trial by a jury of our peers is foundational to the American system. By having the know-how to participate in that process, you bring a unique value to your citizenship and positively impact your community.