voting right
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voting right
The legally guaranteed right of a person to participate in political elections and referendums.
In vielen Ländern wird das Stimmrecht mit dem 18. Lebensjahr erworben.
In many countries, people acquire the right to vote at the age of 18.
The word consists of the stem of the verb 'stimmen' (to vote) and 'das Recht' (right). So it literally means 'the right to cast one's vote' or 'the right to vote'.
Das Stimmrecht ist ein zentrales Element jeder Demokratie.
The right to vote is a central element of every democracy.
'Stimmrecht' (voting right) is often used with the verbs 'haben' (to have) or 'besitzen' (to possess). When you use it, you 'übt man sein Stimmrecht aus' (exercise one's voting right). You can also 'erwerben' (acquire), 'verlieren' (lose), or 'entziehen' (withdraw/take away) it.
Er hat sein Stimmrecht bei der letzten Wahl nicht ausgeübt.
He did not exercise his right to vote in the last election.
In the political context, a distinction is often made between 'aktives Stimmrecht' (active voting right: the right to vote) and 'passives Stimmrecht' (passive voting right: the right to be elected).
Um das passive Stimmrecht zu erhalten, muss man volljährig sein.
To obtain the right to be elected, you must be of legal age.
Context shows whether the political or organizational right is meant. Terms like 'Wahlen' (elections), 'Bürger' (citizens), or 'Land' (country) point to the political meaning, while 'Aktionäre' (shareholders), 'Versammlung' (assembly/meeting), or 'Verein' (association/club) refer to an organization.
Das Frauenstimmrecht wurde in der Schweiz 1971 eingeführt.
Women's suffrage was introduced in Switzerland in 1971.
voice / vote
'die Stimme' and 'das Stimmrecht' both have to do with elections or votes. 'die Stimme' is what you cast in an election: you choose a person or an option. 'das Stimmrecht', on the other hand, is the right or permission to vote at all. Learners may confuse the words because both talk about voting. Remember: without 'Stimmrecht' (voting right), you are not allowed to cast a 'Stimme' (vote).
In der Versammlung haben nur die Mitglieder Stimmrecht.
At the meeting, only the members have voting rights.
Bei der Wahl hat jede Person nur eine Stimme.
In the election, each person has only one vote.