Voting in Ancient Rome was very different when compared to modern
day systems. Ancient Roman male citizens were allowed to vote when
they became adults. Non-Roman citizens were not allowed to vote,
keeping true to the idea of having Roman’s running and ruling
Ancient Rome. Women were not allowed to vote in Ancient Rome and had
no political rights. Additionally, a voter had to own land and have
a say in Ancient Roman Society.
Voting was done by Romans who elected the magistrates. These
magistrates made the laws of Ancient Rome and made major decisions.
Ancient Romans prided themselves on being a free republic.
Once the first emperor of Ancient Rome had died, voting had
disappeared. After the emperor Augustus died, power switched to the
imperial palace. Prior to his death, power was in the Republican
forum. It was presumed that after the emperor’s death, power would
be carried on by his heirs. This imperial government structure would
be carried out for the next four centuries.