html5 - element select validation error -

i confused how validate strip of code in html5:

<select onchange="window.open(this.options[this.selectedindex].value,'_top')">                                                             <option value="">                 choose state or jurisdiction               </option>                                                             <option value="allaw.htm">alabama </option>                 <option value="aklaw.htm">alaska </option>                 (and on states) 

which gives me dropdown box of states. error in validation "text not allowed in element select in context"

could please point out how validate this? change element select else?

thanks lot!

gordon