Final answer:
The second sentence can be rewritten as it's a civic duty for every eligible American citizen to participate in elections by voting, which conveys the same meaning regarding the importance of exercising the right to vote.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second sentence from the extract can be rewritten without changing its meaning to: "For this reason, it's a civic duty for every eligible American citizen to participate in elections by voting." This rephrasing maintains the original sentence's emphasis on voting as a responsibility that comes with being an American citizen eligible to vote. The rewrite underscores the importance of this civic action due to the sacrifices made throughout history to secure universal suffrage. The progression to achieve this was neither quick nor easy, signifying the precious nature of the right to vote.