Which type of security has voting rights associated with it?

Voting rights are a defining characteristic of common stock and represent ownership and control in a corporation. Holders of common stock typically have the right to vote on key corporate matters such as electing the board of directors, approving major mergers or acquisitions, and authorizing significant changes to corporate governance. These rights align with the role of shareholders as residual claimants, meaning they receive what is left after all other obligations—such as debt and preferred dividends—are met. Preferred stockholders usually do not have voting rights under normal conditions, as preferred stock is structured to resemble a hybrid between debt and equity, emphasizing fixed dividend payments rather than control. Bondholders and holders of convertible notes are creditors, not owners, and therefore have no voting power in corporate decisions. From a financial management perspective, voting rights are a key factor in ownership structure, agency relationships, and corporate governance. Option D correctly identifies common stock as the security that carries voting rights.