A. Suffrage

SUFFRAGE

Suffrage - the right to vote in the elections.

• As a right the expression of the sovereign will of the people.
• As a privilege - not granted to everybody but to such persons as are most likely to exercise it for the purpose of the public good. It is subject to substantive and procedural requirements.
• As a duty - which every citizen owes his country.

The right to vote is different from the right to register. A person may register even before he is 18 years old, but must be at least 18 years old on the day of the election.

Nature of Suffrage

• It is a right created by law, not a natural right and an expression of the sovereign will of the people.
• It is a privilege because its exercise is not granted to everybody but to the persons or class of persons as are most likely to exercise it for the purpose of public good.

Two-Fold Object of Suffrage

• To enable the people to choose their representatives;
• To determine their will on questions submitted to them through plebiscite, referendum, initiative and recall

Regulation of Suffrage

Congress has power to enact laws relative to the right of suffrage, subject to the qualifications and limits imposed by the Constitution, and in the exercise of police power, to suppress whatever evils may be incident to the election of public officers.