hääletamisõiguse

Hääletamisõigus, often translated as the right to vote or suffrage, is a fundamental aspect of democratic societies. It refers to the legal right of an individual to participate in the electoral process by casting a ballot. This right is typically granted to citizens who meet certain criteria, such as age and residency. The specific qualifications for voting can vary significantly between countries and even within different jurisdictions.

Historically, suffrage was often restricted based on factors like gender, property ownership, race, or social class. The expansion of hääletamisõigus has been a long and often contentious process, driven by social movements advocating for greater equality and political inclusion. Universal suffrage, where all adult citizens have the right to vote, is now a widely accepted norm in most democracies.

In Estonia, hääletamisõigus is a cornerstone of its political system. Estonian citizens who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote in parliamentary elections (Riigikogu valimised) and local government council elections (kohaliku omavalitsuse volikogu valimised). For certain elections, such as European Parliament elections, citizens of other European Union member states residing in Estonia may also be granted the right to vote under specific conditions. The principle behind hääletamisõigus is that it empowers citizens to choose their representatives and influence the direction of their government.