Stemmeretter

Stemmeretter, or stemmeret, is the legal right to participate in elections. It defines who may vote, under what conditions, and how voting is administered. The concept and rules vary by country and over time.

Eligibility is usually based on citizenship, age, and residency. Typical requirements include being a citizen, reaching a minimum age (commonly 18), and meeting a period of residence. Some jurisdictions permit non-resident or dual nationals to vote in certain elections; others restrict voting to residents. Disqualifications may apply for certain criminal convictions, declared incapacity, or statutory disenfranchisement.

Historically, stemmeretter often started restricted by property, tax, or gender. Over the 19th and 20th centuries many countries expanded suffrage, eventually moving toward universal adult suffrage for citizens. In many places, women gained the vote, and age thresholds were lowered or aligned to 18 or 16 in some cases.

Procedures vary: elections are held for parliaments, local authorities, and referendums. Votes are typically cast in private; some places use paper ballots, others use electronic systems. Practices include early, mail-in, or proxy voting and voter registration requirements.

Current issues include debates about extending suffrage to non-citizens in local elections, prisoner voting, and how new technologies affect accessibility and security of voting.