Is Voting a Fundamental Right or a Privilege?

It depends. Overall, 57 percent of Americans aged 18 or older say voting is a "fundamental right for every U.S. citizen and should not be restricted," according to a Pew Research Center survey. Another 42 percent of adults say voting is a "privilege that comes with responsibilities and can be limited." But beliefs about voting vary by demographic characteristic and political affiliation. 

• Younger adults are most likely to say voting is a fundamental right, with the figure peaking at 64 percent among 18-to-29-year-olds. Sixty percent of 30-to-49-year-olds agree. Among people aged 50 or older, however, only 50 to 51 percent say voting is a fundamental right. 
• Among Blacks, 77 percent say voting is a fundamental right, as do 66 percent of Asians and 63 percent of Hispanics. Among non-Hispanic whites, only 51 percent say voting is a fundamental right. 
• The biggest gap is by political party affiliation. Fully 78 percent of Democrats say voting is a fundamental right versus just 32 percent of Republicans. The 67 percent majority of Republicans say voting is a privilege that can be limited. 

Source: Pew Research Center, Wide Partisan Divide on whether Voting Is a Fundamental Right or a Privilege with Responsibilities