By: Emerson Burris
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – As the 2024 election approaches, many University of Arkansas students who are from out of state are navigating how to cast their votes, whether through absentee ballots, returning home, or by establishing residency in Arkansas. For many, this will be their first opportunity to vote in a presidential election, and the logistics of participating in their home state’s process can be a balancing act alongside their academic responsibilities.
Senior Gaby Bortnick, originally from Kansas City, chose to vote absentee in her hometown. “As a University of Arkansas student from Kansas City, voting at home allowed me to stay connected to my community and participate in decisions that impact my family and friends,” Bortnick said. “It also ensures that I can focus on my studies from home without the added stress of finding polling places or managing logistics during a busy semester.”
For students like Bortnick, voting in their home state remains important, allowing them to stay engaged with local issues affecting their families and communities. Absentee ballots, which can be mailed from any state, provide a convenient option, but they also require students to stay on top of deadlines and paperwork. Bortnick, voting for the first time, said the experience was especially meaningful because it allowed her to cast her ballot alongside her family.
On the other hand, some students have decided to switch their voter registration to Arkansas. Senior Sofia Hickey from Denver, Colorado, has opted to establish residency in Arkansas while attending school.
“For this year’s primary election, I have become an Arkansas resident while at school here, so I will be voting in person,” Hickey said. “Some friends of mine from Texas have considered driving home to vote in person instead of mailing it in.”
For those like Hickey, becoming an Arkansas resident offers the convenience of voting locally, reducing the complexities of coordinating absentee ballots or travel back home. While some students prefer absentee voting, others find voting in their college state provides a sense of belonging and connection to the local community they are part of during their time at the university.
As this year marks the first presidential election for many U of A students, their methods of casting ballots vary, but the importance of participating in the democratic process remains central. According to national data, college students make up a significant portion of first-time voters, and their turnout is expected to influence the outcomes in various key battleground states.
Whether students choose absentee voting, travel home to vote in person, or establish residency in Arkansas, they are finding ways to engage in the electoral process, contributing their voices to the issues that matter to them and their communities.
