What does it mean when it is said that people can vote regardless of their race or sex?

When it is stated that people can vote regardless of their race or sex, it highlights the principle that voting rights are granted equally to all citizens without discrimination based on these characteristics. This aligns with the fundamental democratic value that emphasizes equality and inclusivity, ensuring that every individual has the right to participate in the electoral process.

This concept emerged prominently in legislation such as the Voting Rights Act, which aimed to eliminate barriers that had historically suppressed the voting rights of women and racial minorities. Thus, saying voting is non-discriminatory captures the essence of this principle — that all individuals, irrespective of their race or gender, have the same rights and opportunities to vote.

In contrast, the other options do not fully encompass this idea. The notion of voting being universal implies that all individuals have the right to vote, but it may not specifically highlight the aspect of equality in terms of discrimination. Voting being required suggests a mandate rather than an inherent right, while voting being unrestricted could imply a lack of regulations that govern the electoral process, which is not the focus of the question. Therefore, non-discriminatory most accurately reflects the commitment to equal voting rights for all citizens.