universal suffrage

American  

noun

1. suffrage for all persons over a certain age, usually 18 or 21, who in other respects satisfy the requirements established by law.

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Etymology

Origin of universal suffrage

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Before he started his four-year term, Tik vowed to get fellow lawmakers to debate the hot-button issue of universal suffrage to elect Hong Kong's leader.

From Barron's • Nov. 3, 2025

That was in 1962, when lawmakers rejected a proposal to elect the president by universal suffrage.

From New York Times • Mar. 20, 2023

Opposition morphed into months of violent unrest in the city as the protesters’ demands widened to include universal suffrage and other democratic aspirations.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 29, 2022

"Electoral democracies" are defined as countries that hold have free and fair elections and permit universal suffrage and freedom of expression and association, but are deficient in one or more features of liberal democracy.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2022

The society was reorganized under a new name—the American Equal Rights Association—with a goal of universal suffrage.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling