Por supuesto, podemos votar.

Por supuesto is a fixed expression meaning of course, certainly, or sure.

Literally, supuesto comes from the verb suponer and is related to the idea of something being assumed or taken for granted. So por supuesto is like saying as is naturally assumed.

In everyday Spanish, it is a very common and natural way to agree or reassure someone.

Examples:

• Por supuesto. = Of course.
• Por supuesto que sí. = Of course / Of course yes.

The comma is used because por supuesto works like a sentence adverb or introductory phrase. It comments on the whole sentence rather than acting as part of the main grammar.

So in:

• Por supuesto, podemos votar.

the comma separates the introductory idea of course from the main statement we can vote.

You will often see this with similar expressions:

• Claro, podemos ir.
• Sí, podemos hacerlo.
• En realidad, no tengo tiempo.

In casual writing, people sometimes omit the comma, but using it is standard.

Podemos is the nosotros form of the verb poder, which means to be able to, can, or to have permission to.

Here is the present tense of poder:

• yo puedo = I can
• tú puedes = you can
• él/ella/usted puede = he/she/you can
• nosotros/nosotras podemos = we can
• vosotros/vosotras podéis = you all can
• ellos/ellas/ustedes pueden = they/you all can

So podemos votar simply means we can vote.

Spanish often leaves out subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

• podemos already means we can
• so nosotros podemos is grammatically correct, but often unnecessary

That is why:

• Podemos votar = We can vote
• Nosotros podemos votar = We can vote with extra emphasis or contrast

You might add nosotros if you want to stress we:

• Ellos no, pero nosotros podemos votar. = Not they, but we can vote.

It can mean both, depending on context.

Poder covers several ideas that English often separates:

• can
• to be able to
• sometimes to be allowed to

So podemos votar could mean:

• we can vote
• we are able to vote
• we’re allowed to vote

Usually the context tells you which nuance is intended.

Votar specifically means to vote.

So:

• votar = to vote
• elegir = to choose / to elect, depending on context

If you are talking about the act of casting a vote, Spanish uses votar:

• Vamos a votar. = We’re going to vote.

If you mean choose in a broader sense, then elegir may be used:

• Elegimos un restaurante. = We chose a restaurant.

A simple pronunciation guide is:

• por supuesto ≈ por soo-PWES-to
• podemos ≈ po-DE-mos
• votar ≈ bo-TAR

A few notes:

• In Spanish from Spain, d in podemos is often softer than in English.
• The v in votar is usually pronounced very similarly to b, not like the English v.
• The stress is on:
  • supuesto → pues
  • podemos → de
  • votar → tar

It works in both formal and informal situations. It is neutral and very common.

You can use it:

• with friends
• in polite conversation
• in writing
• in professional settings

Other similar expressions include:

• claro = of course / sure
• claro que sí = of course
• desde luego = certainly / of course

In Spain, all of these are natural, but por supuesto is especially clear and standard.

Yes, depending on context, that could be a natural translation.

Even though por supuesto literally matches of course, in real conversation English may use:

• Of course, we can vote.
• Sure, we can vote.
• Yes, we can vote.

The exact English choice depends on tone and what was said before.

Yes. Spanish poder can express:

• ability
• possibility
• permission

So podemos votar might mean:

• we are physically/logically able to vote
• we are allowed to vote
• it is possible for us to vote

For example:

• Ya tenemos 18 años; podemos votar. = We’re already 18; we can vote.
• Si queréis, podemos votar ahora. = If you want, we can vote now.

Yes, Por supuesto, podemos votar is perfectly natural.

It would fit situations like:

• answering a question about whether voting is allowed
• suggesting a decision by vote
• confirming that a group has the right or option to vote

Depending on context, native speakers might also say:

• Claro, podemos votar.
• Sí, por supuesto, podemos votar.
• Podemos votar, claro.

All of these sound natural in Spain.