Universal suffrage

Table columns:
Universal
Male
Female
Ethnicity
Country or territory
Notes

Table rows:
cells: 1964–77
1964–77
1964–77
1964–77
Afghanistan
1964 Constitution of Afghanistan transformed Afghanistan into a modern democracy.[14]
cells: 1952
1853
1952
1853
Argentina
Universal male suffrage was instituted in 1853. Universal, secret and mandatory suffrage for male citizens over 18 years of age was granted by the Sáenz Peña Law (General Election Law) of 1912. It was amended to include female citizens in 1947 but became effective in 1952.
cells: 1921
1919
1921
1920
Armenia
Became part of the Soviet Union in 1920.
cells: 1962
1901
1902
1962
Australia
In 1855, the parliament of the self-governing Colony of South Australia enacted legislation providing for universal male suffrage. The parliaments of the Colony of Victoria and the Colony of New South Wales followed suit by enacting legislation providing universal male suffrage in 1857 and 1858, respectively. In 1894 the parliament of the Colony of South Australia enacted legislation providing a full and universal adult franchise; the right of all adults of the age of majority to vote in elections, and for any elector to stand for high office. In 1901, the self-governing colonies of Australia joined together in a federal structure of states. In 1902, the new federal parliament legislated for a universal adult franchise and the right of electors to stand for and occupy any office for which they could directly vote. Indigenous people were explicitly excluded. True universal suffrage was not achieved until 1962 when the Commonwealth Electoral Act extended the right to vote to all Australians regardless of race. However, Australia was first united a federation in 1901[15][better source needed]. Hence, universal voting rights were not enabled until the nation was united. Voting rights for all men and women were established in 1902[16].
cells: 1918
1896
1918
1907
Austria
Universal suffrage 1896, universal and equal suffrage (removing multiple voting) 1907. Before 1907 unmarried landholding women were allowed to vote. After the Central Powers' defeat in World War I universal suffrage including women.
cells: 1919
1919
1919
1919
Azerbaijan
Became part of the Soviet Union in 1920.
cells: 1961
1958
1961
1807
Bahamas
Legislation passed in the house in 1961 allowing for Universal adult suffrage in The Bahamas. All men could vote equally in The Bahamas in 1958. In 1807 legislation passed in the house of assembly giving free persons of color the right to vote. [17]
cells: 1973–75
1973–75
1973–75[18]
1973–75
Bahrain
Universal suffrage in 1973, although parliament was suspended and dissolved in 1975 for approximately 30 years. Non Sunni-Muslims cannot vote.
cells: 1948
1893
1948
1893
Belgium
Universal census suffrage for all men aged 25 and above since 1893. Depending on education and amount of taxes paid, males could cast between 1 and 3 votes. Widows were also allowed to vote but lost their voting rights after remarrying. Universal single suffrage for males since 1918. Universal suffrage for women was finally introduced in 1948.
cells: 2008
2008
2008
2008
Bhutan
cells: 1956
1956
1956
1956
Bolivia
Universal suffrage granted by decree; first elections in 1956; women's suffrage coincided with abolition of literacy requirements.
cells: 1988
1988
1988
1988
Brazil
Male suffrage from 1891 excluding the homeless, women, priests, and the military. Women from 1932. Illiterates were still banned until 1988.
cells: 1945
1945
1945
1945
Bulgaria
Universal suffrage including women and men serving in the Army was instituted by the government of the Fatherland front.
cells: 1990
1990
1990
1990
Burma/Myanmar
Last free elections held in 1990.[19] New elections held in 2015, which elected 75% of legislators, while 25% remain appointed by the military.
cells: 1960
1920
1920
1960
Canada
In 1920, Canada enacted suffrage for federal elections for male and female citizens, with exceptions for Chinese Canadians and Aboriginal Canadians;[20] for provincial elections, female suffrage was established between 1916 (Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan) and 1940 (Quebec). Chinese Canadians, regardless of gender, were given suffrage in 1947, while Aboriginal Canadians were not allowed to vote until 1960, regardless of gender. Newfoundland which joined Canada in 1949 had universal male suffrage in 1925.
cells: 1970
1970
1970
1970
Chile
From 1888 suffrage for men of any race over 21 who can read. From 1925 full suffrage for men aged 21 and above and able to read and write. 1934 women get to vote on Municipal Elections. From 1949 universal suffrage for men and women aged 21 and above and able to read and write. From 1970 suffrage for men and women aged 18 and older whether or not they can read.
cells: 1954
1853–1886, 1936
1954
1853–1886, 1936
Colombia
Universal male suffrage starting in 1853, restricted in 1886. Electorate defined on the basis of adult franchise and joint electorate.
cells: 1918
1896
1918
1896
First Czechoslovak Republic
Within Austria, universal suffrage 1896, universal and equal suffrage (removing multiple voting) 1907. After the Central Powers' defeat in World War I, universal suffrage including women.
cells: 1915
1849
1915
1849
Denmark
The King granted limited voting rights in 1834 but only to property owners and with limited power. First proper voting rights came in 1849 to "men over 30 of good reputation" but in the subsequent years the rules were changed a number of times, and it was not until the change of the constitution in 1915 that all men and women living within the kingdom had influence on all chambers.[21] Danish law does not operate with any notion of "ethnicity,". Non-resident citizens are still excluded from voting after two years abroad.[8]
cells: 1918
1917
1918
1917
Estonia
Two tiered elections were held, with 62 representatives from rural communities and towns elected in May–June and July–August, respectively.
cells: 1979
1979
1979
1979
European Union
Elections to the European Parliament have taken place since 1979.
cells: 1945
1792–1795, 1848
1944
1916
France
In 1792, the Convention assembly was elected by all males 25 and over. Over the subsequent years, France experienced profound political upheaval, with republican, monarchist and bonapartist government governing at various times. Through these changes, suffrage increased and decreased based on the introduction, repeal and reintroduction of various degrees of universal, property and census-based suffrage. Universal male suffrage was given in 1848, with the exception of the military who obtained the right to vote in 1945. This was supplemented in 1944 by full universal suffrage, including women as voters.[citation needed]
cells: 1906
1906
1906
1906
Finland
As an autonomous Grand Principality in the Russian Empire, Finland achieved universal suffrage in 1906, becoming the second country in the world to adopt universal suffrage.[22] The Finnish parliamentary election of 1907 was the first time when women were elected (19 of 200 MPs). After becoming independent in 1917, Finland continued its universal suffrage.
cells: 1919
1867/1871
1919
1919
Germany
The German Empire from 1871 until 1918 (and the North German Confederation before it from 1867) had universal male suffrage, one of the more progressive election franchises at the time.[23] After the German Revolution of 1918–19, the Weimar Constitution established universal suffrage in 1919 with a minimum voting age of 20.
cells: 1919
1919
1919
1919
Georgia
The first democratic elections were held on 14th-16th February 1919. 5 women were elected in total (for Menshevik party) to take part in national legistature numbering 130MPs. In 1921, Georgia became a part of the Soviet Union .
cells: 1951
1951
1951
1951
Ghana
Universal suffrage was granted for the 1951 legislative election. This was the first election to be held in Africa under universal suffrage.[24]
cells: 1952
1844
1952
1844
Greece
After the Revolution of the 3rd September 1843, the Greek Constitution of 1844 with the electoral law of 18th March 1844 introduced universal male suffrage with secret ballot.[25] Women were given the right to vote in local elections in 1930 and in parliamentary elections since 1952.
cells: 1991
1991
1991
1991
Hong Kong
Held its first legislative elections in 1991, elected part of the legislators. Until now Hong Kong still only can elect half of the legislators. All registered voters can eligible to vote.
cells: 1918
1918
1918
1918
Hungary
After the Central Powers' defeat in World War I.
cells: 1950
1950
1950
1950
India
All adult citizens as recognized by the Constitution of India, irrespective of race or gender or religion on the founding of the Republic of India.
cells: 1955
1955
1955
1955
Indonesia
cells: 1963
1906
1963
1906
Iran
Under "Constitutional Revolution". The White Revolution gave women the right to vote in 1963.[26]
cells: 1923
1918
1923
1829
Ireland
When Ireland was a part of the United Kingdom, the removal of a voting ban based on religion occurred in 1793 and 1829. Then known as the Irish Free State, the country changed previous British law to enfranchise women equally with men in 1923.[27]
cells: 1948
1948
1948
1948
Israel
Universal suffrage since the founding of the State of Israel.
cells: 1945
1912
1945
1912
Italy
1912, introduction of the first universal male suffrage, extended to all citizens aged 30 and older, with no restrictions. It was applied in the elections of 1913. In 1918 the electorate was expanded with all male citizens aged 21 and older or who had served in the army. Universal adult suffrage, including women, introduced in 1945, and applied for the first time in the referendum of 1946. Suffrage for men and women aged 18 granted in 1975.
cells: 1944
1944
1944
1944
Jamaica
Universal adult suffrage introduced.
cells: 1947
1925
1947
1925
Japan
Universal adult male suffrage for those over 25 was introduced in 1925. Universal adult suffrage for both sexes over 20 introduced in 1946, ratified by the new Constitution which adopted on May 3, 1947.
cells: 2005
1962
2005
1962
Kuwait
Universal adult male suffrage since 1962, for citizens who are 21 or older, with the exception of those who, at the time of elections, serve in the armed forces. As of 2005, women who satisfy the age and citizenship requirements are allowed to vote.
cells: 1919
1919
1919
1919
Latvia
Universal suffrage introduced in Law of elections to the Constituent assembly.
cells: 1943
1943
1943
1943
Lebanon
Universal suffrage for all adult males and females since the independence of Lebanon (The Chamber of Deputies is shared equally between Christians and Muslims, rather than elected by universal suffrage that would have provided a Muslim majority).
cells: 1984
1984
1984
1984
Liechtenstein
cells: 1922
1922
1922
1922
Lithuania
cells: 1948
1919
1948
1919
Luxembourg
cells: 1957
1956
1957
1956
Malaysia
cells: 1947
1947
1947
1947
Malta
The 1947 election was the first election without property qualifications for voters, and women were also allowed to vote for the first time.
cells: 1953
1917
1953
1917
Mexico
Universal suffrage given to men in 1917 after the Mexican Revolution; suffrage given to women in municipal elections in 1947 and national elections in 1953.[28] In 1996, Mexicans living in the United States were given the right to vote in Mexican elections.[29]
cells: 1919
1917
1919
1917
Netherlands
From 1917 full suffrage for men aged 23 and above. From 1919 universal suffrage for men and women aged 23. From 1971 suffrage for men and women aged 18 and older.
cells: 1893
1879
1893
1879
New Zealand
With the extension of voting rights to women in 1893, the self-governing British colony became one of the first permanently constituted jurisdictions in the world to grant universal adult suffrage,[4] suffrage previously having been universal for Māori men over 21 from 1867, and for white men from 1879.[30] Plural voting (impacting men) was abolished in 1889.
cells: 1913
1898
1913
1821
Norway
Full male suffrage in 1898, with women included in 1913. Sami men were granted suffrage in a revision of the constitution in 1821.[31]
cells: 1956
1951
1956
1951
Pakistan
In 1956, women were granted the right to vote in national elections. *Pakistan adopted universal adult suffrage for provisional assembly elections soon after it became independent in 1947. The first direct elections held in the country after independence were for the provincial Assembly of the Punjab between 10–20 March 1951
cells: 1979
1979
1979
1979
Peru
Suffrage was granted for women in 1955 but suffrage for the illiterate was only granted with the 1979 Constitution.
cells: 1946
1935
1937
1946
Philippines
Males who were over 25 years old and could speak English or Spanish, with property and tax restrictions, were previously allowed to vote as early as 1907; universal male suffrage became a constitutional right in 1935. Women's suffrage was approved in a plebiscite in 1937.[32]
cells: 1918
1918
1918
1918
Poland
Prior to the Partition of Poland in 1795, only nobility (men) were allowed to take part in political life. The first parliamentary elections were held on 26 January 1919 (Polish legislative election, 1919), according to the decree introducing universal suffrage, signed by Jozef Pilsudski on 28 November 1918, immediately after restoring independent Polish state. Universal suffrage for men and women over 21.
cells: 1974
1974
1974
1974
Portugal
By 1878, 72% of the male adult population had access to vote; this number was restricted by the policies of the last years of the monarchy and first years of the republic (transition in 1910 with the 5 October 1910 revolution), being reinstalled only in the 1920s. Restricted female suffrage was firstly allowed in 1931; it was further extended in 1933, 1946, and finally 1968. Due to the 1933–74 dictatorship of Estado Novo, universal suffrage was only fully attained after the 1974 Carnation revolution.
cells: ?
2013
?
?
Qatar
Municipal elections since 1999.
cells: 1917
1917
1917
1917
Russia
Universal suffrage established by Declaration of the Provisional Government of 15 March 1917 and Statute on Elections of the Constituent Assembly of 2 August 1917.[33]
cells: 1991
1990
1991
1990
Samoa
cells: ?
?
-
?
Saudi Arabia
cells: 1994
1910
1931
1994
South Africa
White women's suffrage granted in 1930 and suffrage for all white adults regardless of property in 1931. Universal suffrage not regarding race or colour of skin; Blacks and Coloureds were denied the right to vote before and during the apartheid era (1948–1994).
cells: 1945
1888
1945
1888
Serbia
Suffrage for male voters who paid taxes was granted in the Constitution of 1869, and in the Constitution of 1888 the right to vote was given to all males of age 21. Women were allowed to vote with the Communist constitution of Yugoslavia.
cells: 1948
1948
1948
1948
South Korea
Universal suffrage since the founding of the Republic of Korea. However, voting was initially limited to landowners and taxpayers in the larger towns, elders voting for everyone at the village level.[34]
cells: 1977
1869–1923, 1931–36, 1977
1933–39, 1977
1869–1923, 1931–36, 1977
Spain
Suffrage for men practiced from 1869 to 1923 and in the Second Spanish Republic (1931–36). On November 19, 1933 women were granted the right to vote. Revoked during Franco era (1939–75) and recovered since 1977 in the new Spanish Constitution.
cells: 1931
1931
1931
1931
Sri Lanka
Universal suffrage for all irrespective of race, ethnicity, language, or gender. Sri Lanka is the oldest democracy in Asia.
cells: 1945
1909
1919
1873
Sweden
During the years 1718–72 burgher men and women of age and with income were able to elect members of parliament, but women's suffrage was abolished in 1772. Jews were given the right to vote in 1838, but not given the right to stand for election until 1870. Catholics were given the right to vote in 1873, but not given the right to be eligible as cabinet minister until 1951. Full[Incorrect - discuss] male suffrage 1909 for those aged 25 and above, but only to one of two equally weighed houses of parliament. Universal suffrage for men and women aged 23 enacted in 1919,[35] and the first election took place in 1921. Until 1924 men who refused to do military service were excepted from universal suffrage. Until 1937 courts were able to punish crimes by revoking a convict's right to vote. Until 1945 persons living on benefits were excepted from universal suffrage. Voting age changed to 21 in 1945, to 20 in 1965, to 19 in 1969 and to 18 in 1975.
cells: 1990
1848
1971 or 1990
1848
Switzerland
At the formation of the federal state and with the Constitution of 1848, Switzerland became the first modern state to introduce universal male suffrage[citation needed]; this has continued unbroken since its adoption. Women's suffrage was introduced, by (male) referendum, for federal elections in 1971, but for cantonal elections, the last canton to introduce women's suffrage (Appenzell Innerrhoden) had to do so by supreme court order in 1990.
cells: 1996
1947
1947
1996
Taiwan
Universal suffrage under the Constitution of the Republic of China. First National Assembly elections held in 1991, first legislative elections held in 1992. First presidential direct elections held in 1996.
cells: 1933
1933
1933
1933
Thailand
Universal suffrage for all since the first general election in 1933.
cells: 1959
?
?
?
Tunisia
Universal suffrage for all since the first post-independence constitution.
cells: 1934
1876
1934
1876
Turkey
cells: 1928
1918
1928
1829
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom the removal of voting rights based on religion occurred with the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1791 and Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829. The right to vote has never since been based on race or religion.[nb 1] All adult men were enfranchised by the Representation of the People Act 1918.[37] This Act granted some women the right to vote in national elections,[nb 2] but about 60% of women (those under 30 or not meeting property qualifications) were excluded until the Equal Franchise Act 1928, when women were granted the vote on the same terms as men.[42] The Representation of the People Act 1948 removed plural voting rights held by about 7% of the electorate.[43][nb 3] The Representation of the People Act 1969 reduced the voting age from 21 to 18.
cells: 1948
1948
1948
1948
United Nations
Provision of "universal and equal suffrage" in Universal Declaration of Human Rights [Article 21(3)]
cells: 2015
?
?
?
Dominican Republic
Jorge Radhamés Zorrilla Ozuna proposed the inclusion of the military vote in the constitutional reform of Dominican Republic, to be effective in the elections of 2016.[45]
cells: 1965[nb 4]
1856[nb 5]
1920[nb 6]
1965[nb 7]
United States
In the colonial era, there had been various restrictions on suffrage in what is today the United States. Property restrictions on voting disenfranchised more than half of the white male population in most states.[48] After the American Revolution, the Constitution did not originally define who was eligible to vote, allowing each state to determine who was eligible. In the early history of the U.S., most states allowed only white male adult property owners to vote (about 6% of the population).[49][50] Over subsequent decades, voting rights expanded to include more of the population. Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky were the three states to have full adult suffrage for white males before 1800. New Jersey allowed women's suffrage for landowners until the early 1800s. In the 1820 election, there were 108,359 ballots cast. In the 1840 election, 2,412,694 ballots were cast, an increase that far outstripped natural population growth. Poor voters became a huge part of the electorate. There were few nations in the world that had a similar level of suffrage for white males at this time. By 1856, after the period of Jacksonian democracy, all states had almost universal white adult male suffrage regardless of property ownership, although tax-paying requirements remained in five states, and two into the 20th century.[51][52] In 1868, the 14th Amendment altered the way each state is represented in the House of Representatives. It counted all residents for apportionment including former slaves, overriding the three-fifths compromise, and reduced a state's apportionment if it wrongfully denied men aged 21 and above the right to vote. However, this was not enforced in practice. In 1870, the 15th Amendment granted suffrage to all males of any race, skin color, and ethnicity, including former slaves (freedmen), meaning that male African Americans in theory had the right to vote throughout the United States.[53] Starting in 1888, former Confederate states passed Jim Crow laws and amendments to effectively disfranchise black and poor white voters through poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clauses and other restrictions, applied in a discriminatory manner. During this period, the Supreme Court generally upheld state efforts to discriminate against racial minorities; only later in the 20th century were these laws ruled unconstitutional. Black males in the Northern states could vote, but the majority of African Americans lived in the South. Wyoming was the first territory to enfranchise all women in 1869. From then until 1916, all Western states legalized women suffrage, but few Eastern states followed suit. However, in 1920 the 19th Amendment extended the franchise to women in all states.[54] In 1924 the Indian Citizenship Act gave suffrage to all Native Americans, nearly two-thirds of whom already had citizenship and the right to vote.[55] In 1964, the 24th Amendment, which abolished the use of poll taxes as a requirement for voting in federal elections, was passed.[56][57] Full enfranchisement was revived in 1965, with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which provided for federal enforcement of rights. For state elections, it was not until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections (1966) that all state poll taxes were unconstitutional as violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This removed a burden on the poor.[46][47] In 1971, the 26th Amendment ratified, which granted suffrage for men and women aged 18.
cells: 1918
?
?
?
Uruguay
With the 1918 Uruguayan Constitution.
cells: 1987
?
1978
1987
Zimbabwe
Universal suffrage was introduced in the 1978 Internal Settlement between Ian Smith and Abel Muzorewa. The 1979 Lancaster House constitution agreed to accommodate the nationalists and also affirmed universal suffrage but with a special role for whites. Universal suffrage with no special consideration for race came in 1987. Before 1978, Rhodesia (the name for the region that would become Zimbabwe in 1980) had a merit qualification in order to vote. This was controversial because it excluded the vast majority of native Africans.

Questions about this table:
originalText: when did universal suffrage happen in the uk
answer: answerTexts: 1928