What is one requirement to vote in federal elections?

To participate in federal elections in the United States, one of the fundamental requirements is that an individual must be a citizen of the country. This requirement ensures that only those who have a legal and formal affiliation with the United States are able to vote, reflecting the principles of democratic governance where citizens have a say in their government and its policies.

The focus on citizenship is crucial because it establishes a legal framework for voting rights and responsibilities. Citizens can be born citizens or naturalized citizens, and both categories have the right to participate in elections. This contrasts with the other options provided, which do not universally apply to voting rights across all states and federal elections. Holding a college degree, for instance, is not a criterion for voting; restrictions based on educational attainment would disenfranchise a significant portion of the population. Similarly, being a property owner is not a requirement and has been eliminated from voting qualifications in most cases, as it historically limited voting rights to wealthier demographics. Age is indeed a requirement as well, but it is secondary to the necessity of citizenship, as only citizens can be of legal voting age to participate in elections. Thus, citizenship remains the cornerstone requirement for voting in federal elections.