das  Stimmrecht

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtɪmˌʁɛçt/

🗳️ What does "das Stimmrecht" mean?

Das Stimmrecht translates to the right to vote or suffrage. It refers to the right of a person to cast their vote in an election or ballot. It's a fundamental political right in democracies but can also apply to other areas, such as the voting rights of shareholders (Aktionäre) at an annual general meeting (Hauptversammlung) or members (Mitglieder) in a club or association (Verein).

It's a compound noun:

• die Stimme: (here) the vote cast in an election or ballot
• das Recht: the right or entitlement to do or receive something

Together, the meaning is: the right to cast one's vote.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Stimmrecht

"Stimmrecht" is a neuter noun (sächliches Substantiv). It always uses the article das.

Declension (Deklination)

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. In vielen Ländern haben Frauen lange für das Stimmrecht gekämpft.
   (In many countries, women fought for a long time for the right to vote.)
2. Der Aktionär machte von seinem Stimmrecht auf der Hauptversammlung Gebrauch.
   (The shareholder exercised his voting right at the general meeting.)
3. Die Frage des Stimmrechts für Ausländer wird oft diskutiert.
   (The question of voting rights for foreigners is often discussed.)
4. Vereinsmitglieder können über die Änderung der Satzung mittels ihres Stimmrechts entscheiden.
   (Association members can decide on changes to the statutes using their voting rights.)
5. Die Einführung des allgemeinen Stimmrechts war ein wichtiger Schritt zur Demokratisierung.
   (The introduction of universal suffrage was an important step towards democratization.)

🌐 How is "Stimmrecht" used?

Das Stimmrecht is a central term in political and legal contexts. It is used to describe the eligibility to participate in elections and votes.

• Politics (Politik): Universal, equal, direct, secret, and free suffrage (allgemeines, gleiches, unmittelbares, geheimes und freies Wahlrecht) is the most common form of Stimmrecht in politics (often used synonymously with Wahlrecht).
• Business (Wirtschaft): Shareholders (Aktionäre) have voting rights according to their shares (Aktien).
• Associations (Vereinswesen): Members (Mitglieder) of clubs or organizations usually have voting rights at member meetings (Mitgliederversammlungen).

Difference from "Wahlrecht": Although often used synonymously, Stimmrecht can be broader than Wahlrecht. Wahlrecht specifically refers to the right to vote in elections (e.g., for parliament). Stimmrecht can also include voting in referendums, plebiscites (Abstimmungen), or voting in bodies like associations or companies.

One often distinguishes between aktives Stimmrecht (the right to vote) and passives Stimmrecht (the right to be elected, also called passives Wahlrecht).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Association (das)

Think: It's das fundamental Recht (the fundamental right) to cast your vote. Many German nouns ending in "-recht" are neuter (das Recht, das Urheberrecht, das Baurecht...). Therefore: das Stimmrecht.

Meaning Association (Right to vote)

Imagine you have a Stimme 🗣️ (voice/vote) and das Recht ✅ (the right) to use it in an election. Stimme + Recht = Stimmrecht. Your VOICE gives you the RIGHT to VOTE.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Stimmrecht

Similar but Different Words ⚠️

• Die Stimmabgabe: The act of casting a vote.
• Die Stimmpflicht: Compulsory voting (legal obligation to vote).
• Das Rederecht: The right to speak in an assembly.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Politiker seinen Sohn: "Na, was wünschst du dir zum Geburtstag?"
Sohn: "Das Stimmrecht!"
Politiker: "Aber du bist doch erst zehn!"
Sohn: "Ich weiß, aber du versprichst doch auch immer Sachen, die du nicht halten kannst!" 😉

Translation:

A politician asks his son: "Well, what do you want for your birthday?"
Son: "The right to vote!"
Politician: "But you're only ten!"
Son: "I know, but you're always promising things you can't deliver either!" 😉

✍️ Poem about the Right to Vote

Ein Kreuz auf dem Papier,
ein kleines Zeichen nur von dir.
Doch birgt es große Macht,
das Stimmrecht, wohlbedacht.

Es formt das Land, die Zeit,
gibt Richtung und Geleit.
Drum nutze deine Stimme klug,
für einen bess'ren Zug.

Translation:

A cross upon the page,
a little sign, it's true.
But holds great power's stage,
the right to vote, for you.

It shapes the land, the age,
gives guidance through and through.
So use your voice with sense,
for pathways fresh and new.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Recht, doch hab kein Gericht.
Ich geb dir Macht, doch bin kein Gewicht.
In der Demokratie bin ich ein Muss,
für jeden Bürger ein wichtiger Guss.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I am a right, but have no court.
I give you power, but am no weight.
In democracy, I'm a must,
for every citizen, an important cast.

What am I?
Solution: Das Stimmrecht (The right to vote)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung)

As mentioned, "das Stimmrecht" is composed of:

• die Stimme: Originally the human voice, then transferred to mean the expression of will in an election/vote.
• das Recht: A legally guaranteed power or claim.

Historical Context (Historischer Kontext)

The history of suffrage (Stimmrecht) is often a history of struggles for expansion. For a long time, it was linked to property, gender, or social status. Universal suffrage for men and later for women (e.g., introduced in Germany in 1918) were milestones in the history of democracy.