What are the qualifications to be eligible to vote in the US?

To be eligible to vote in the United States, a person must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age. This is a fundamental requirement established by federal law, specifically the 26th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees the right to vote to citizens who are 18 years old or older. This age requirement ensures that voters are of an age where they can make informed decisions about governance.

The requirement for U.S. citizenship means that only individuals who have legal citizenship status can participate in elections. This serves to uphold the integrity of the voting process, ensuring that only those who have a stake in the country’s policies and future can influence its governance through the electoral system.

Other criteria, such as residency time or additional personal circumstances like marital status or employment, do not universally apply to voting eligibility across all states, making them invalid as singular qualifications for voting. This ensures inclusivity for all eligible citizens regardless of their personal situations, as long as they meet the citizenship and age criteria.