Which of the following best describes the concept of voter eligibility?

• A. The process of registering to vote.
• B. The act of counting votes.
• C. The set of qualifications required to vote.
• D. The method for drawing district lines.

Answer: (C)

Voter eligibility is about who is allowed to vote based on legal criteria. The best description is the set of qualifications a person must meet to vote—typically being a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, meeting state residency requirements, and being properly registered. Some states also have rules about legal status that can affect eligibility, such as restrictions on those with certain felony convictions until rights are restored. This concept explains why not everyone can vote, because eligibility defines the boundary of who may participate. It differs from registering to vote (the process to sign up voters who are eligible), from counting votes (tallying ballots after elections), and from drawing district lines ( arranging electoral boundaries).