Suffrage

Suffrage is the right to vote in elections. Throughout history, many groups of people have had to fight for this right. In early democracies, only wealthy men could vote. Over time, voting rights expanded to include all adults, regardless of race or gender.

The Fight for Voting Rights

In many countries, only rich men who owned land could vote at first. Working-class men fought for their right to vote. Women around the world organized movements for suffrage. In many countries, people of different races had to fight for equal voting rights too.

Voting Rights Today

Today, most countries allow all adult citizens to vote. New Zealand was the first country to give all women the right to vote in 1893. In the United States, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped protect Black Americans' right to vote. The right to vote is considered one of the most important rights in a democracy.

Fun Facts

• New Zealand was the first country to give women the right to vote in 1893.
• The 15th Amendment gave Black men the right to vote in the United States in 1870.
• In some countries, voting is required by law, and people can be fined for not voting.

Did You Know?

In ancient Athens, voting was done by placing stones or pottery pieces into different containers.