right to vote / electoral law
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right to vote
A person's right to cast their vote in a political election (active voting right).
In Deutschland erhält man das Wahlrecht für Bundestagswahlen mit dem 18. Lebensjahr.
In Germany, you receive the right to vote in federal elections when you turn 18.
The word consists of 'Wahl' (election) and 'Recht' (right/law). So it describes either the personal right to vote or the entire body of laws (das Recht) surrounding an election.
Das Wahlrecht ist ein fundamentaler Pfeiler der Demokratie.
The right to vote is a fundamental pillar of democracy.
A distinction is made between 'aktives Wahlrecht' (active voting right: the right to cast one's vote) and 'passives Wahlrecht' (passive voting right: the right to stand as a candidate in an election).
Mit 18 Jahren hat man in Deutschland das aktive Wahlrecht für die Bundestagswahl.
At age 18 in Germany, you have the active voting right for federal elections.
When referring to the personal right, typical verbs are 'das Wahlrecht haben' (to have the right to vote), 'sein Wahlrecht ausüben' (to exercise one's right to vote), or 'das Wahlrecht entziehen' (to revoke the right to vote).
Alle wahlberechtigten Bürger sollten ihr Wahlrecht ausüben.
All eligible citizens should exercise their right to vote.
When it refers to the laws, 'Wahlrecht' (electoral law) is often used with verbs such as 'ändern' (to change), 'reformieren' (to reform), or 'diskutieren' (to discuss). The subject is then usually a political institution or party.
Die Regierung plant, das Wahlrecht zu reformieren.
The government plans to reform electoral law.
voting right
'Wahlrecht' and 'Stimmrecht' both have to do with the right to cast a vote in decisions. In political elections, they overlap strongly. However, 'Wahlrecht' can be broader: it can mean the right to vote, the right to stand for election, or the rules for elections. 'Stimmrecht' puts more emphasis on the authority to cast a vote, not only in politics but also in associations, meetings, or companies. Learners may confuse the words because both often occur in the context of elections. When it is about the whole system or political rights, 'Wahlrecht' often fits. When it is about the individual vote in a ballot or decision, 'Stimmrecht' often fits.
Im Kurs lernen wir, ab welchem Alter man in Deutschland das Wahlrecht hat.
In the course, we learn at what age people have the right to vote in Germany.
Bei der Versammlung hatte jedes Mitglied ein Stimmrecht.
At the meeting, every member had a voting right.