STANDARD CE.5e
Voter Registration and Participation
The standard: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the political process at the local, state, and national levels of government by:

e) describing voter registration and participation

Voting is a basic responsibility of citizenship. 

Voter registration is required before a citizen may vote.

What are the requirements for voter registration in Virginia?

Qualifications to register to vote in Virginia
• Citizen of the United States
• Resident of Virginia and precinct
• 18 years of age by day of general election

 How to register in Virginia
• In person at the registrar's office, at the Division of Motor Vehicles, or at other designated sites
• By mail application

Registration is closed 29 days before elections.

What factors influence voter turnout and registration?

The number of citizens who register and vote is related to how important election issues are to citizens.
Factors in predicting which citizens will vote
• Education
• Age
• Income

Why citizens fail to vote
• Lack of interest
• Failure to register

The percentage of voters who participate in presidential elections is usually greater than the percentage of voters who participate in state and local elections.

Every vote is important.

STANDARD CE.5f
The Electoral College
The standard: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the political process at the local, state, and national levels of government by:

f) describing the role of the electoral college in the election of the President and Vice President

How does the electoral college select the President and Vice President of the United States?

The electoral college process is used to select the President and Vice President of the United States.

Electoral college process

• The slate of electors for each state is chosen by popular vote.

• The electors meet to vote for President and Vice President.

• The winner-take-all system leads to the targeting of large states for campaigning, although candidates must pay attention to small states whose electoral votes may make the difference in tight elections.

The number of electors of each state is based on the state’s Congressional representation.

The requirements for a majority vote to win in the electoral college favors a two-party system.