In the English colonies, the ability for a white male to vote was generally contingent upon a few key factors:
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Property Ownership: Most colonies required voters to own property. This was seen as a way to ensure that those who had a stake in the community and its governance could participate in it.
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Age: Voters were usually required to be at least 21 years of age. This was considered the age of maturity and responsibility.
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Legal Status: Only free males were permitted to vote. Enslaved individuals, indentured servants, and free blacks were generally excluded from the electoral process.
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Citizenship: Voters had to be considered citizens of the colony, which typically meant being born in the colony or having undergone some form of naturalization.
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Religious Affiliation: In some colonies, particular religious affiliations could also play a role in determining voting rights. For example, in certain colonies, only members of specific Protestant denominations were allowed to vote.
These restrictions led to a limited electorate, composed primarily of wealthy white male property owners. Voting rights evolved over time, especially leading up to and following the American Revolution, as more emphasis was placed on broader democratic principles.