Vote is an opportunity for citizens to express their opinion by selecting the candidates and ballot measures they would like to support or oppose. Elections can be held for one person, such as a president; or for groups, such as a parliament or a committee. An election can also be a referendum on a particular proposal, such as a proposed law.
A vote may be conducted on paper or by electronic device. Most votes are conducted on Election Day, when voters go to their voting location to mark a selection or choice on a ballot. The opening and closing times for voting locations vary by jurisdiction. Some states have countywide polling place systems, in which all voters registered to vote in that jurisdiction are eligible to cast a ballot at any open voting location during election week or on Election Day.
Plurality: In an election to a public office, a candidate must receive more votes than any other competitor to win, but the number of votes can be less than a majority. A plurality can be won by a single mark or selection (straight party vote) or by ranking multiple choices on a ballot (ranked ballots).
Photo ID: Voters must present an acceptable form of photo identification when they go to their polling place unless they have qualified for a free or reduced-cost photo ID exemption. Voters may also be required to sign a declaration that they are a citizen of the United States.
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