Suffrage

Voters standing in the queue to cast their votes, at a polling booth, during the 9th Phase of General Elections-2014, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on May 12, 2014

Peterloo Massacre

SPD-Plakat 1919

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Anti Suffrage Postcard c.1908 03

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1912 Ohio women Headquarters

Manifestace za hlasovací právo 1905

Suffrage is the right to vote in public, political elections (although the term is sometimes used for any right to vote). In a broader context, suffrage is also considered a key aspect of citizenship, democracy, and civil rights. The history of suffrage is a significant part of the history of democracy and includes the gradual expansion of the right to vote to include more groups, particularly marginalized communities and women.

History

The history of suffrage can be traced back to early forms of democracy in ancient civilizations, such as Ancient Greece and the Roman Republic, where voting rights were typically limited to free male citizens. Over centuries, the fight for inclusive suffrage has led to significant political and social changes in many countries around the world.

Expansion of Suffrage

The expansion of suffrage has often been a contentious issue, fought by various social movements and reformers. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the women's suffrage movement campaigned vigorously for the right of women to vote, leading to the gradual implementation of women's suffrage in many countries. Similarly, efforts to remove racial barriers to voting were significant in countries like the United States, where the Civil Rights Movement aimed to secure voting rights for African Americans and other racial minorities.

Types of Suffrage

There are several types of suffrage, including:

• Universal suffrage: the right of all adult citizens to vote, regardless of race, sex, belief, wealth, or social status.
• Women's suffrage: specifically refers to the women's right to vote.
• Equal suffrage: the principle that each vote has the same weight or power.
• Compulsory suffrage: where eligible citizens are required by law to vote in elections.
• Secret ballot: ensures that an individual's vote is confidential.

Current Issues

Despite significant progress, issues related to suffrage remain relevant. These include debates over voter identification laws, disenfranchisement due to criminal convictions, and the accessibility of voting locations and materials. Additionally, the concept of digital democracy and online voting is an emerging area of interest, with potential implications for the future of suffrage.

See Also

• Democracy
• Civil rights
• Voting rights
• Electoral system
• Women's suffrage
• Voting age