Voter eligibility

Voter eligibility determines who can participate in elections. Generally, to be eligible, a person must be a U.S. citizen, of legal voting age (18 or older), and meet state residency requirements. Some states restrict voting rights for individuals convicted of certain crimes or for those declared legally incapacitated. Voters often need to register beforehand and may be required to show identification at polling places. These rules ensure that eligible citizens can vote while maintaining the integrity and fairness of elections.