What is the fundamental difference between voting rights and voting privileges, and why does this distinction matter?

John Oliver highlights a critical semantic and constitutional distinction that often gets confused in voting rights debates. A right is something inherent and guaranteed, while a privilege is something earned through effort or qualification. When politicians suggest voting should require significant effort or barriers, they're essentially treating it as a privilege rather than the fundamental right it's supposed to be. This distinction matters because it shapes policy approaches to voting access. Treating voting as a privilege justifies adding obstacles and requirements, while recognizing it as a right demands removing barriers and ensuring accessibility. Oliver's critique exposes how this conceptual confusion is used to legitimize restrictive voting measures that undermine democratic participation.