Too many voters lost in a land of clueless.

• Position: Democracy

While election season finally is behind us, a survey released by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, Washington, D.C., reveals a lack of knowledge about basic aspects of elections and governance in the U.S., casting doubt on whether Americans possess the knowledge of political figures and understanding of certain institutions necessary to participate meaningfully in the political process.

Although 97% of college graduates (bachelor's degree or higher) agreed it is somewhat or very important to understand the American election process, the survey, structured in a multiple-choice format, found that:

* 37% of Americans overall and 22% of college graduates could not correctly identify when Election Day is held.

* 31 % of Americans, including 13% of college graduates, could not correctly define the Electoral College.

* 33% of citizens were unaware that membership in the Republican or Democratic parties is not a requirement to run for president

* 29% of voters, including 15% of college graduates, could not correctly Identify who Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine is.

Recent college graduates--individuals aged 18-34--fared especially poorly when asked questions about government and the economy when compared to older college grads:

* 56% could not name Janet Yellen as the chair of the Federal Reserve System (vs. 26%).

* 52% did not know that it is the Federal Reserve that decides when the Treasury Department should print additional money (vs. 29%).

* 50% were unable to name Franklin Roosevelt as the only president to win more than two elections to the presidency (vs. 32%).

* 39% were unaware that the Federal Reserve System is not responsible for collecting taxes (vs. eight percent).

* 23% did not know which time period the Great Depression occurred in (vs...