function validate_people(form) {
   //replace dashes with spaces
   form.qf.value = form.qf.value.replace(/-/g, " ");
   form.qn.value = form.qn.value.replace(/-/g, " ");

   var valid = true;
   var count = 0;
   var regex_nonempty = /[a-zA-Z]{2,}/;
   if (form.qf != null && regex_nonempty.test(form.qf.value))
      count++;
   if (form.qn != null && regex_nonempty.test(form.qn.value))
      count++;
   if (form.qs.selectedIndex > 0)
      count++;
   if (count < 3)
      valid = false;
   if (form.qf.value.length == 1 || form.qn.value.length == 1)
      valid = false;

   //ensure that the field has a value that is not just whitespace or invalid characters
   var regex_blacklist = /[^a-zA-Z \']/;
   if (regex_blacklist.test(form.qf.value))
      valid = false;
   if (regex_blacklist.test(form.qn.value))
      valid = false;

   if (!valid) {
      var errmsg = document.getElementById("people_validation");
      var err = "Please enter values for all of the following: First Name, Last Name, State. Names may only contain letters and must be at least 2 letters long.";
         errmsg.className = 'errorOn';
         errmsg.innerHTML = err;
   }
   else {
      errmsg.style.display = "none";
   }

   return valid;
}