suffragio

Suffragio is the Italian term for the right to vote in political elections, and, by extension, for the act of voting itself. Derived from the Latin suffragium, meaning support or a vote, the word is used in Italian to discuss both the franchise (il suffragio) and the ballot (il voto). In political discourse it is common to distinguish suffragio attivo, the right to vote, from suffragio passivo, the right to stand for election.

Historically, suffrage has been a central issue in the democratization of states. Early systems typically limited suffrage by property, tax status, gender, race, or age. Over time many countries expanded the franchise toward universal suffrage, allowing all adult citizens to vote, often after social movements and constitutional reforms. The extension to women, youth, and marginalized groups are notable milestones in this process.

In contemporary usage, suffragio remains a foundational concept in electoral law and political science. Debates about suffrage focus on eligibility criteria, voting rights of residents or formerly incarcerated individuals, and access to polling, especially for groups facing barriers to participation. The term "suffragio universale" denotes broad enfranchisement, while "suffragio limitato" refers to restricted voting rights. The concept is widely used in Italian-language discussions of democracy and is cognate with the English term suffrage and related terms in other languages.