Universal suffrage
The table below lists the year that universal male and universal female suffrage were introduced into various nations. The list is non-exhaustive. In general nations that became independent during the 20th or 21st centuries granted universal suffrage to men and women at the same time. In nations that became independent during the 19th century men often led women by a few years or decades in obtaining suffrage. Greece and Switzerland are notable exceptions to this general trend.
The following definitions are used in the table below:
Universal Male Suffrage: Men of the majority or dominant ethnic group are permitted to vote irrespective of possession of land, wealth, education levels or literacy levels where the minimum age is no higher than 21. This differs from the definition used in the English Wikipedia as it considers Universal male suffrage to begin when men of any age received the franchise without further qualification. This would mean that in reality only a minority of men would have the franchise and make it appear that Universal Male Suffrage was enacted earlier than it really was.
Universal Female Suffrage: Women are permitted to vote on the same basis as men.
It is universally accepted within psephology that some citizens may be deprived of suffrage while a jurisdiction can still be considered to have Universal Suffrage. Examples of citizens so deprived include military officers, citizens who are non-resident, citizens serving a term of imprisonment and citizens with serious criminal records.
| Jurisdiction | Universal Male Suffrage | Universal Female Suffrage | Difference (years) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afganistan | 1977 | 1977 | 0 | |
| Algeria | 1962 | 1962 | 0 | |
| Argentina | 1853 | 1952 | 99 | |
| Armenia | 1919 | 1921 | 2 | |
| Azerbaijan | 1919 | 1919 | 0 | |
| Australia | 1901 | 1902 | 1 | During the 1901 (inaugural) federal election women were eligible to vote if they were eligible to vote in their home state elections. As a result women in South Australia and Western Australia voted in the 1901 election. For Australian states see this article. |
| Austria | 1896 | 1918 | 22 | |
| Bahamas | 1958 | 1961 | 3 | |
| Belgium | 1893 | 1948 | 55 | 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. |
| Bahrain | 1975 | 1975 | 0 | |
| Bhutan | 2008 | 2008 | 0 | |
| Bolivia | 1956 | 1956 | 0 | |
| Brazil | 1988 | 1988 | 0 | |
| Brunei | - | - | - | Brunei is an absolute monarchy and its citizens have never had the franchise. |
| Bulgaria | 1945 | 1945 | 0 | |
| Burma/Myanmar | 1990 | 1990 | 0 | |
| Canada | 1920 | 1920 | 0 | Chinese and aborigines were initially excluded regardless of gender. For Canadian provinces see this article. |
| Chile | 1970 | 1970 | 0 | |
| Colombia | 1936 | 1954 | 18 | |
| Czechia | 1896 | 1918 | 22 | As the First Czechoslovak Republic. |
| Denmark | 1915 | 1915 | 0 | Information in Wikipedia differs from that presented here due to a different definition for Universal Male Suffrage.[1] |
| Finland | 1906 | 1906 | 0 | |
| Greece | 1830 | 1952 | 122 | |
| Israel | 1948 | 1948 | 0 | |
| Italy | 1918 | 1945 | 27 | Information in Wikipedia differs from that presented here due to a different definition for Universal Male Suffrage.[2] |
| Jamaica | 1944 | 1944 | 0 | The House of Representatives was established in 1944. Jamaica then gained increasing autonomy and finally became fully independent in 1962, with universal suffrage throughout. |
| Japan | 1947 | 1947 | 0 | Information in Wikipedia differs from that presented here due to a different definition for Universal Male Suffrage.[3] |
| New Zealand | 1879 | 1893 | 14 | |
| Pakistan | 1947 | 1947 | 0 | |
| Slovakia | 1896 | 1918 | 22 | As the First Czechoslovak Republic. |
| Sweden | 1945 | 1945 | 0 | Information in Wikipedia differs from that presented here due to a different definition for Universal Male Suffrage.[4] |
| Switzerland | 1848 | 1971 | 123 | Switzerland is a federal state made up of Cantons. At a Canton level universal male and female suffrage was achieved at different times. |
| Taiwan | 1992 | 1992 | 0 | |
| Thailand | 1933 | 1933 | 0 | |
| United Kingdom | 1918 | 1928 | 10 | Women 30 or older gained the franchise in 1918 if they lived in a house, had a husband who did or owned property worth a certain amount. |
| Zimbabwe | ? | 1919 | ? |
See Also
External Links
- Good summary for Australia
- A Brief History of Voting
- Wikipedia contains a similar list
- Universal male suffrage in New Zealand
- Discussion of suffrage Elections Canada