Universal Suffrage
Rights
- All citizens to vote in political elections, regardless of status, gender race or creed. - Australia has universal suffrage which means every adult has the right to vote. - Based on social status and wealth and gradually expanded - Restricted in Australia Initially - Suffragette movement - women who campaigned for the right to vote
Movements of Suffrage
- Women gained vote around 1900 - NZ 1893, SA 1894, Federal 1902, USA 1920, UK 1928 - Apart from gender and status - race was another issue that conflicted with rights to vote. 1962 referendum gave Aboriginals the vote Voting now compulsory UNDHR Article 21(3) protects right to vote
Recently
Democracy still absent in a number of countries - North Korea, Syria etc. Women recently granted right to vote in Saudi Arabia, this right is limited