Dutch term – Kiesrecht

Kiesrecht means suffrage, the right to vote in political elections.

In the Netherlands, the first democratic elections were held in 1795, but only a men owning property over a certain value were allowed to vote. It wasn’t until 1917 that the right to vote was granted to all men, and women followed two years later. Voter registration records of these first universal elections have survived for several places and can be found in municipal or regional archives.

Women in traditional costume in a voting booth.

Women in traditional costume in a voting booth. Credits: Wim van Rossem, collection Nationaal Archief (CC-BY-SA)

About Yvette Hoitink

Yvette Hoitink, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist in the Netherlands. She holds the Certified Genealogist credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists and has a post-graduate diploma in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee. She has been doing genealogy for over 30 years and helps people from across the world find their ancestors in the Netherlands. Read about Yvette's professional genealogy services.

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