zpostcode
Voting Ages Around the World
Oct 13, 2026 9:45 AM

  

Voting Ages Around the World1

  Voting in the United States Adults filling in their ballots during a presidential primary in Massachusetts in 2024. (more) Voting Ages Around the World Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Voting-Ages-Around-the-World Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

  External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Virginia Hunt Virginia Hunt is an Editorial Intern at Encyclopædia Britannica. She is a third year student at Northwestern University where she is majoring in journalism and biology with a minor in creative writing.... Virginia Hunt , Rick Livingston Rick Livingston is the Sr. Director of Media at Encyclopædia Britannica. Rick Livingston •All Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 11, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot “Let’s take a vote.” It’s a concept that permeates many areas of life: where to go to dinner, when to have a meeting, and, of course, whom to elect. The history of elections dates back to the 5th century bce in Athens, though as the concept of elections spread, the procedures often varied by country. Many modern systems of voting have evolved from the representative government models that emerged in the 17th century ce in European and North American communities. Every election must have its electorate, or the people who are eligible to vote. The requirements needed to cast a ...(100 of 268 words)

  Continue reading with Britannica Premium The trusted destination for facts and information 7-Day Free Trial, No Ads, Unlimited Access Subscribe Today

Comments
Welcome to zpostcode comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Recommend >
A Theory of Justice
     John Rawls The American political philosopher John Rawls, one of the leading defenders of egalitarian liberalism in the 20th century, March 20, 1987, Paris. (more) A Theory of Justice work by Rawls Written by Brian Duignan Brian Duignan is a senior editor at Encyclopædia Britannica. His subject areas include philosophy, law, social science, politics, political theory, and religion. Brian...
Was Coco Chanel a Nazi Spy?
     Coco Chanel and Winston Churchill French fashion designer Coco Chanel (center) with British statesperson Winston Churchill (right) accompanied by his son, Randolph Churchill, during a boar-hunting trip in Normandy, France, 1928. (more) Was Coco Chanel a Nazi Spy? Written by Alicja Zelazko Alicja Zelazko is Associate Editor, Arts and Humanities, covering topics in the visual arts, architecture, music, and...
jíbaro
     Jíbaro tobacco worker in Puerto Rico, 1938 Portrait of a jíbaro in traditional dress, reflecting the rural farming communities that later became a central symbol of Puerto Rican identity. (more) jíbaro Puerto Rican farmer Written by Katie Angell Katie Angell is Associate Editor at Encyclopedia Britannica, covering topics related to Latin America. She holds an MA from Vanderbilt University...
Judith Suminwa
     Judith Suminwa Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa speaking at the opening of the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, February 24, 2025. (more) Judith Suminwa prime minister of Democratic Republic of the Congo Also known as: Judith Suminwa Tuluka Written by Adam Volle Adam Volle is a freelance writer and editor based in Atlanta, Georgia....
Information Recommendation
Today in History—March 22: The Most Ingenious Prison Escape
     Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—March 22: The Most Ingenious Prison Escape Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience...
Today in History—March 25: All Aboard History for the First Passenger Railway Launch
     Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—March 25: All Aboard History for the First Passenger Railway Launch Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether...
Jimmy Lai
     Speaking truth to power Jimmy Lai, shown during a 2020 interview, was imprisoned later that year for speaking out against the Chinese government. (more) Jimmy Lai media mogul imprisoned for criticizing the Chinese government Written by Fred Frommer Fred Frommer is a sports historian, author, and writer who has written for a host of national publications. Fred Frommer Fact-checked...
Stolen Generations
     Apology for the Stolen Generations Aboriginal people from Galiwinku Island gathering to watch the proceedings at which Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologized to the Aboriginal peoples of Australia for their mistreatment under earlier Australian governments, February 2008. (more) Stolen Generations Australian government policy Written by Roland Martin Roland Martin is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. Roland...
Today in History—March 23: The U.S. Military’s Pigeon Service Ends
     March 23, 1957: What happened to the war hero pigeons? (more) Today in History—March 23: The U.S. Military’s Pigeon Service Ends Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years...
Why Is Blues Called the Devil’s Music?
     The legendary crossroads? Marker for the crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where blues musician Robert Johnson is said to have sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for musical talent. (more) Why Is Blues Called the Devil’s Music? Written by René Ostberg René Ostberg is an associate editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. René Ostberg Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's...
Indian Premier League Records
     IPL 2025 champions Virat Kohli lifts the IPL trophy and celebrates with his Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammates after the team's victory against the Punjab Kings in the tournament final on June 3, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India. (more) Indian Premier League Records cricket Written by Tushaar Kuthiala Tushaar Kuthiala has over a decade of experience in news media, content creation,...
Today in History—March 24: The Lecture That Unraveled the Mystery of Tuberculosis
     Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—March 24: The Lecture That Unraveled the Mystery of Tuberculosis Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from...