It causes a real problem when people who do not understand or necessarily believe in the church's doctrinal standards are allowed to vote in church business. Good churches get weaker over time because of new members who do not hold to the same standards. Eventually the liberals capture the powerful bureaucracy and drive the Christians out. Reformed Heritage is going to be different. If a member wants to vote in church affairs, then he must subscribe to our confession.
Covenant theology is federal theology and the head of the household IS the family's representative.
In Presbyterian churches, women and children admitted to the Lord's table are entitled to vote. This always struck me as more of a product of the Enlightenment than of historic Reformed theology. Now, when there is church business to be resolved, the head of the household takes the issue to his family. They discuss it among themselves and the head of the household votes for the family. In other words, families, not individuals, vote.