Voting procedures

US elections are held on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November. This date was selected long ago when most Americans lived in the country, because in early November there was little work on the farms and the weather was good enough to allow people to travel into the city to vote.

Americans over the age of 18 have the right to vote, but only about half of them take part in presidential elections, even fewer in other elections. One explanation for low voter turnout is the need to register to vote. People who move to another state have to register again after they move. In some places registrations forms are now available in fast-food restaurants.

A few weeks before election day registered voters receive a card telling them the address of the polling station where they should go to vote, usually a school or church hall. People who will be away on election day, or who are ill, may use an absentee ballot and post it to electionofficials.

Polling stations are open from early morning until night. Voters first have to sign their name in a book that lists all the voters in the precinct (= area) and then cast a vote. Some states use computerized systems, but the most common method is to use a voting booth. This has three sides and a curtain that closes the fourth side. In the booth are lists of candidates for each office. Voters pull down a metal lever beside the name of the person they want to vote for. The levers operate mechanical counters which record the total number of votes for each candidate. It is possible to select all the candidates from one party, and this is called voting a straight ticket. But many voters choose candidates from both parties and vote a split ticket.

Journalists and pollsters are allowed to ask people how they voted and these exit polls help predict election results. However, the results of exit polls may not be announced until polling stations everywhere have closed, in case they influence or change the result.

Polling stations are open from early morning until night. Voters first have to sign their name in a book that lists all the voters in the precinct (= area) a then cast a vote. Some states use computerized systems, but the most common method is to use a voting booth. This has three sides and a curtain that closes the fourth side. In the booth are lists of candidates for each office. Voters pull down a metal lever beside the name of the person they want to vote for. The levers operate mechanical counters which record the total number of votes for each candidate. It is possible to select all the candidates from one party, and this is called voting a straight ticket. But many voters choose candidates from both parties and vote a split ticket.

Journalists and pollsters are allowed to ask people how they voted and these exit polls help predict election results. However, the results of exit polls may not be announced until polling stations everywhere have closed, in case they influence or change the result.