Topic 17 of 20
Voting and civic life: your first steps
Civic life is mostly paperwork with a deadline: a registration form, a jury summons, a census questionnaire. Each one is simple once you know what it is, who is asking and where to check that the request is real.
Voting and civic life guides
Registering and staying registered
Registration is tied to your address, so every move means updating it. Most states allow online registration; others use paper forms or in-person registration at election offices and motor vehicle agencies. Deadlines differ: some states require registration weeks before an election, and others allow same-day registration. Check your state's rules through USA.gov well before any election you care about.
Ways to vote
Depending on your state, you can vote in person on Election Day, vote early in person, or vote by mail with an absentee or mail-in ballot. Some states mail every voter a ballot automatically. Each option has its own deadlines and ID rules, which your state or local election office publishes.
Jury duty
A summons is a court order to report for possible jury service. Respond by the date given, either online or by mail as the summons describes. If the date is impossible, ask the court for a postponement. Employers generally cannot fire you for serving, and states set rules on pay during jury service. Be wary of calls claiming you missed jury duty and must pay a fine immediately; courts do not demand payment by phone or gift card.
Required registrations
Federal law requires nearly all men living in the US, citizens and immigrants alike, to register with the Selective Service System at age 18, and registration is accepted until age 26. Registration is not enlistment. It keeps you eligible for things like federal job training, many state student aid and employment programs, and for immigrant men, US citizenship. You can register or verify your registration online.
Being counted and being heard
The census, held every ten years, decides how seats in Congress are divided and guides federal funding. Between censuses, the Census Bureau runs surveys such as the American Community Survey. To share an opinion on a law or local issue, contact your representatives directly; USA.gov lists officials from city council to Congress.
Check before you act
For anything civic that arrives by text or call, look up the agency's official site yourself and confirm there.
Civic checklist
Tick items as you go. Ticks stay on this page only and clear when you leave.
Questions people ask
How do I register to vote?
Many states let you register online, and every state accepts the National Mail Voter Registration Form in some form. USA.gov links to your state's registration options and deadlines.
What happens if I ignore a jury summons?
Ignoring a summons can lead to penalties set by the court. If you cannot serve on the date, contact the court on the summons; courts commonly allow you to ask for a postponement or an excuse for hardship.
Is the Census Bureau survey that came in the mail real?
The Census Bureau runs the census every ten years and other surveys in between. It will not ask for your full Social Security number, bank account or money. You can verify a survey on census.gov.