Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between citizenship and voting?

The statement that citizenship is a requirement to vote in elections accurately captures a fundamental principle in the U.S. electoral system. In order for an individual to participate in voting for federal and state elections, they must be recognized as a citizen. This requirement ensures that those who are making decisions about government representation and policies have a formal stake in the country and are subject to its laws.

In the context of U.S. governance, citizenship provides individuals with certain rights and responsibilities, one of the most significant being the right to vote. This helps maintain the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that only those who have a formal connection to the nation, through citizenship, can influence its direction through voting. This exclusion of non-citizens from the voting process is a crucial aspect of citizenship laws and voting rights in many democracies worldwide, as it maintains a clear distinction between full members of the polity and others.

The other statements do not align with the established legal framework regarding citizenship and voting rights, as only citizens are granted the franchise in elections, typically excluding non-citizens from voting altogether. This distinction reinforces the essential connection between citizenship and participation in the democratic process.