Suffrage means the right to vote in political elections. When people have suffrage, they can help choose their leaders and decide important questions that affect their community, state, or country.

Throughout history, suffrage was often limited to wealthy men. Over time, people in many countries had to fight hard to expand this right. In the United States, Black men gained suffrage after the Civil War through the 15th Amendment, though many states created unfair obstacles to prevent them from actually voting. Women fought for suffrage around the world. New Zealand was the first country to grant women voting rights in 1893, while American women didn't gain suffrage until 1920, after decades of protest and organizing.

You might hear about women's suffrage (the movement to win voting rights for women) or universal suffrage (when all adult citizens can vote). Someone who fought for voting rights was called a suffragist.

Suffrage matters because voting gives people a voice in their government. Without it, others make all the decisions about your schools, your neighborhood, and your laws. With it, you help shape the future.