Suffrage

Suffrage is the civil right to vote, or the exercise of that right. In that context it is also called political franchise or simply the franchise, a term dating from the time when the Franks of ancient France were free.

Types of suffrage

Universal suffrage is a counterintuitive term that does not actually apply to all citizens or residents of a region, but the extension of voting privileges is given without distinction to race, sex, belief, or social status. Distinctions are frequently made in regards to age, and occasionally mental capacity or conviction record.

Related Topics:
Universal suffrage - Citizen - Resident

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Women's suffrage was the goal of suffragists (commonly referred to as "Suffragettes"), who led a major Liberal and Democratic movement of the early 20th century, protesting vigorously for many years demanding equality with men and the right to vote. Prominent suffragists include Susan B. Anthony, Emmeline Pankhurst, Kate Sheppard and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Related Topics:
Women's suffrage - Suffragette - Liberal - Democratic - 20th century - Vote - Susan B. Anthony - Emmeline Pankhurst - Kate Sheppard - Elizabeth Cady Stanton

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Manhood suffrage —males right to vote.

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Equal suffrage is a term sometimes confused with Universal suffrage, although its meaning is the removal of graded votes, where a voter could possess a number of votes in accordance with income, wealth or social status.

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Census suffrage is the opposite of Equal suffrage: the suffrage is limited, usually to the propertied classes, but can still be universal, i.e. including for instance women or blacks granted they meet the census.

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Compulsory suffrage is a system where those who are elegible to vote are required by law to do so. Australia is an example of a country practising this form of suffrage.

Related Topics:
Compulsory suffrage - Australia

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