Which of the following statements is true regarding voting in the U.S.?

The statement that only citizens can vote is true and reflects a fundamental principle of voting in the United States. The U.S. Constitution and various federal laws explicitly stipulate that voting in federal elections is a right reserved for citizens, establishing a clear distinction between citizens and non-citizens. This ensures that individuals who have undergone the naturalization process and have received citizenship status possess the right to participate in the democratic process by casting their votes.

This requirement is in place to uphold the integrity of the electoral system, ensuring that those who have a stake in the country—its citizens—are the ones making decisions about its governance.

The other options do not accurately reflect U.S. voting laws, as there are no restrictions based on gender (which the first option incorrectly asserts), residency alone does not grant voting rights (contradicting the third option), and while voting is strongly encouraged, it is indeed optional for citizens (misleading in the context of the participation right).