Voting is the formal expression of a citizen’s preference for a candidate for an office or for a proposal on an issue. It is an essential part of a democratic society and an important means by which people can influence the decisions made by their government. Individuals should have free and effective access to electoral processes and to all the information needed to make informed choices.

In the United States, voting rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and numerous federal and state laws. The Constitution prohibits discrimination in the election process based on race and color and requires states to give African Americans the same voting opportunities as whites. Federal legislation, such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1957, further guarantees voting rights by prohibiting literacy tests or similar “tests or devices” as a requirement for voter registration and requiring jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to obtain “preclearance” from either the Supreme Court or the U.S. Attorney General for changes in voting procedures or practices.

Voting rights are not absolute, and the ability to vote is affected by poverty, illiteracy, language barriers, lack of citizenship, and other circumstances that prevent citizens from being fully engaged in civic life. However, governments should take positive steps to overcome these obstacles and ensure that all eligible voters can exercise their political right to choose their representatives. They should not impose conditions that discourage people from voting, such as high registration fees or long wait times.