äänioikeus

Äänioikeus is the legal right to participate in elections, primarily by casting a ballot. In most contexts it refers to active suffrage, while the right to stand as a candidate is described separately as vaalikelpoisuus. Together these concepts define how a person can influence political power through elections.

Eligibility for äänioikeus generally depends on citizenship and age, and may be further defined by national law. In many democracies, including Finland, the standard requirements are that a person is a citizen and is at least a certain age on election day. Laws may also set additional conditions or restrictions, such as temporary disqualifications or exceptions related to legal competence or certain criminal sanctions. The exact rules vary between countries and among different elections within the same country.

Different types of elections may have distinct rules about who can vote. Common elections include parliamentary, presidential, municipal, regional, and supranational elections (such as those for a European Parliament). Some jurisdictions distinguish between voting rights for residents versus citizens, and between eligibility to vote and eligibility to run for office.

Historical development of äänioikeus often reflects broader movements toward universal suffrage, gender equality, and the reduction of age and residency barriers. Many countries expanded suffrage over the 19th and 20th centuries, with ongoing debates about inclusion, representation, and the balance between civic duties and individual rights.

In Finland, as in many democracies, äänioikeus is a foundational democratic right grounded in citizenship and age, but the precise criteria and exceptions are defined by national electoral law and can differ across elections and over time. See also suffrage, universal suffrage, and vaalikelpoisuus.