2024 US Presidential Poll Candidates
Vice President Kamala Harris is the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, with Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, as her running mate. Donald Trump stands for the Republican Party, with JD Vance as his vice-presidential candidate. In addition to these main contenders, third-party candidates include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Chase Oliver, Jill Stein, and Cornel West.
2024 US Presidential Poll: Voter eligibility
According to the U.S. government, you can vote in federal, state, and local elections if you are a U.S. citizen, meet your state’s residency requirements, and are 18 years old on or before Election Day. “You can be experiencing homelessness and still meet these requirements,” states the U.S. government. Voter registration is necessary by your state’s deadline, with North Dakota being the only state that does not require voter registration.
Some states permit 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by Election Day. This broadens the scope of eligible voters, aiming to include more young people in the electoral process. As the website clarifies, “In almost every state, you can register to vote before you turn 18 if you will be 18 by Election Day.”
However, certain groups are excluded from voting. Non-citizens, including permanent legal residents, are generally barred from voting in federal, state, and most local elections. Additionally, individuals convicted of a felony or those currently serving time for other types of crimes may face voting restrictions. The rules for these restrictions vary by state, and the Department of Justice provides a guide to understand local laws. “Some people cannot vote after being convicted of a felony or if they are currently serving time for other types of crimes. Rules are different in each state,” the guide mentions.
Voting rights can also be limited for individuals with certain mental disabilities, depending on state-specific regulations. U.S. citizens residing in territories cannot vote for president in the general election. It is advised to check with local or state election offices for any nuanced conditions that might affect voting eligibility.
2024 US Election Voting Process
The U.S. presidential election follows an indirect system. Voters cast their ballots to select a group of representatives known as electors, who then vote directly for the president and vice president as part of the Electoral College.