What is the primary benefit of voting rights for shareholders?

The primary benefit of voting rights for shareholders is that they gain influence over corporate decisions and governance. This influence allows shareholders to participate in critical decisions that affect the direction and management of the company, such as electing the board of directors, approving major corporate actions like mergers or acquisitions, and voting on changes to corporate bylaws or policies.

Having this voice in corporate governance enables shareholders to protect their investment interests and exercise control over the factors that can impact the company's performance and strategy. This power is fundamental to the role of shareholders in a corporation, emphasizing the democratic principle of ownership in corporate structures.

While other options touch upon important aspects of corporate governance and shareholder interests, they do not encapsulate the broader and more impactful benefit of voting rights, which is fundamentally about influencing the company’s strategic decisions.