【法】 选举权

Franchise \Fran"chise\ (? or ?; 277), n. [F., fr. franc, fem.
franche, free. See {Frank}, a.]
1. Exemption from constraint or oppression; freedom; liberty.
[Obs.] --Spenser.

2. (LAw) A particular privilege conferred by grant from a
sovereign or a government, and vested in individuals; an
immunity or exemption from ordinary jurisdiction; a
constitutional or statutory right or privilege, esp. the
right to vote.

Election by universal suffrage, as modified by the
Constitution, is the one crowning franchise of the
American people. --W. H.
Seward.

3. The district or jurisdiction to which a particular
privilege extends; the limits of an immunity; hence, an
asylum or sanctuary.

Churches and mobasteries in Spain are franchises for
criminals. --London
Encyc.

4. Magnanimity; generosity; liberality; frankness; nobility.
``Franchise in woman.'' [Obs.] --Chaucer.

{Elective franchise}, the privilege or right of voting in an
election of public officers.