Student Question
Who had voting rights in the British colonies?
Quick answer:
In the British colonies, voting rights were restricted to white males who were at least 21 years old and owned property. While colonists could vote for some political leaders, such as members of the lower houses of assemblies, only in Connecticut and Rhode Island could they elect the governor. Typically, governors were appointed by the King of England. These voting restrictions persisted even after the colonies declared independence and formed the United States.
Voting rights were limited in the thirteen British colonies. The colonists did have the opportunity to vote for some of their political leaders, especially the members of the lower house of the assemblies. In a few colonies, the colonists could vote for the governor. This right existed only in the colonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island. More often than not, the King of England chose the governor for each colony.
Generally, in order to vote, a person had to meet certain qualifications. Only white males were allowed to vote. These white males had to be at least twenty-one years old, and they had to own property. The practice of limiting voting rights continued for many years after the colonists in the thirteen British colonies declared their independence from Great Britain and created the United States of America.
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