Which principle allows citizens to vote for their leaders?

The principle that allows citizens to vote for their leaders is popular sovereignty. This concept refers to the idea that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically through elected representatives. In systems rooted in popular sovereignty, voting is a fundamental rights exercised by citizens, enabling them to choose their leaders and influence governmental policies. This principle is essential to democratic governance, as it emphasizes that the ultimate source of political power lies in the hands of the people, who grant it through their participation in the electoral process.

In contrast, the other principles mentioned—federalism, checks and balances, and separation of powers—focus more on the structure and functioning of government rather than the direct involvement of citizens in selecting their leaders. Federalism pertains to the division of power between national and state governments, checks and balances refer to the mechanisms that prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful, and separation of powers delineates the distinct functions and authorities of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. While these principles are important for maintaining a fair and functional government, they do not directly encapsulate the idea of citizen voting and political participation as popular sovereignty does.