Voter Education
Why educate voters?
In every election, voter education IS necessary to ensure that all constituents men and women alike understand their rights, their political system, the contests they are being asked to decide, and how and where to vote. For an election to be prosperous and democratic, voters must understand their rights and responsibilities. They must be sufficiently knowledgeable and well-informed to cast legally valid ballots and participate meaningfully in the voting process. Voter and civic education are even more critical in post-conflict countries, where political situations may be volatile and elections may have an unprecedented impact on the country’s future.
The term voter education is generally used to describe the dissemination of information, materials, and programs designed to inform voters about the specifics and mechanics of the voting process for a particular election. Voter education involves providing information on who is eligible to vote; where and how to register; how electors can check the voter lists to ensure they have been duly included; what type of elections are being held; where, when, and how to vote; who the candidates are; and how to file complaints.