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Simple English definitions for legal terms
right to vote
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A quick definition of right to vote:
Right to Vote: The right to vote means that people have the privilege to choose who they want to represent them in the government. This is called suffrage. Not everyone can vote, but those who can are called voters or electors. Voting is important because it helps people have a say in how their country is run.
A more thorough explanation:
The right to vote is the ability to participate in public elections by casting a vote. This is also known as suffrage. In the United States, suffrage is a privilege granted by the people to those who are deemed fit to represent them in political duties that would be inconvenient for the people to perform as a whole. Those who are granted suffrage are called electors or voters. However, not all communities extend suffrage to all persons and may place restrictions on it to best serve the ends of government.
For example, in the United States, the right to vote was initially restricted to white male property owners. Over time, suffrage was expanded to include women, African Americans, and other marginalized groups. Today, citizens over the age of 18 who meet certain requirements, such as being a U.S. citizen and a resident of a particular state, are granted the right to vote.
The act of voting is also referred to as suffrage. When individuals participate in an election by casting their vote, they are exercising their right to suffrage.