Who is eligible to vote in federal elections?

Eligibility to vote in federal elections is restricted to citizens of the United States. This means that only individuals who have acquired U.S. citizenship, either by birth or through the naturalization process, have the right to participate in federal elections. This requirement is rooted in the Constitution and ensures that those participating in the electoral process have a formal connection to the country and its laws.

While legal residents of the United States play an important role in society, they do not have voting rights in federal elections. Similarly, simply being over 18 years old does not qualify an individual to vote unless they are also a citizen. Additionally, while registered voters within each state must be recognized, the key criterion at the federal level is citizenship. Without citizenship, even individuals who are legally residing in the U.S. are excluded from participating in these important civic duties.