1. The right or privilege of casting a vote at a public election.
— Also termed right to vote. [Cases: Elections
1. C.J.S. Elections §§ 1(1, 10), 2.]
“In the United States suffrage is a privilege, franchise or trust conferred by the people upon such persons as it deems fittest to represent it in the choice of magistrates or in the performance of political duties which it would be inexpedient or inconvenient for the people to perform in a body. The person upon whom the franchise is conferred is called an elector or voter. No community extends suffrage to all persons, but places such restrictions upon it as may best subserve the ends of government.” George W. McCrary, A Treatise on the American Law of Elections§ 1, at 2 (Henry L. McCune ed., 4th ed. 1897).
2. A vote; the act of voting.