Final answer:
The people eligible to vote in U.S. presidential elections are considered the voting-eligible population. They must meet certain criteria, such as age and not being disqualified due to felony conviction or imprisonment. The Electoral College applies a winner-take-all system in the presidential elections. Therefore, option a is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The people who are eligible to vote in the United States presidential elections represent the voting-eligible population. This group includes citizens aged eighteen and older who meet certain requirements, such as being registered to vote, and not being disqualified due to factors such as felony conviction or imprisonment. The number of eligible voters can be used to calculate voter turnout rates.
In the U.S., the electoral process follows the winner-take-all system, where all electoral votes for a state are given to the candidate who wins the most votes in that state. This system is implemented by the Electoral College, which consists of electors representing each state and the District of Columbia who formally cast votes for the president and vice president.
It's also important to differentiate between the voting-eligible population and other related groups. For example, the voting-age population (VAP) includes all persons who are eighteen and older, regardless of whether they are actually eligible to vote in their state. The smallest group is the registered voters, or those who have officially registered to vote in an election.
Learn more about Voting Eligibility