History of Election in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 28, 2025

An election is a structured decision-making process where a population selects one or more individuals to occupy a public office. It's a cornerstone of representative democracy, enabling citizens to choose their leaders and influence government policy. Elections can vary significantly in format, scope, and rules, depending on the specific context and the political system in place. They are fundamental for ensuring accountability and legitimacy in governance.

1920: Universal Adult Male Suffrage

By 1920, universal adult male suffrage had been established in all Western European and North American democracies, except for Switzerland, and many countries began considering women's suffrage.

1927: Liberian General Election

In the 1927 general election, Charles D. B. King of Liberia was reported to have won by 234,000 votes, a "majority" that was over fifteen times larger than the number of eligible voters.

1928: 1928 elections in Portugal

The 1928 elections in Portugal serve as an example of a sham election.

1929: Sham Elections in Mexico

Beginning in 1929, Mexico had presidential elections considered to be sham elections.

1929: 1929 elections in Fascist Italy

The 1929 elections in Fascist Italy serve as an example of a sham election.

1934: 1934 elections in Fascist Italy

The 1934 elections in Fascist Italy serve as an example of a sham election.

1935: 1935 elections in Portugal

The 1935 elections in Portugal serve as an example of a sham election.

1940: 1940 elections of Stalinist "People's Parliaments"

In 1940, Stalinist "People's Parliaments" elections were held to legitimise the Soviet occupation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

1942: 1942 general election in Imperial Japan

The 1942 general election in Imperial Japan serve as an example of a sham election.

1946: United States Electoral Interventions

Starting in 1946, the United States interfered in 81 elections until 2000.

1949: 1949 elections in Portugal

The 1949 elections in Portugal serve as an example of a sham election.

1951: 1951 elections in Portugal

The 1951 elections in Portugal serve as an example of a sham election.

1958: 1958 elections in Portugal

The 1958 elections in Portugal serve as an example of a sham election.

1962: Aboriginal People Given Right to Vote in Australia

In 1962, Aboriginal people in Australia were granted the right to vote, marking a significant step towards inclusivity.

1967: 1967 Referendum in Australia

In 1967, a referendum was held in Australia.

1982: Sham Elections in Mexico

Until 1982, Mexico had presidential elections considered to be sham elections.

1988: First Competitive Election in Mexico

In 1988, Mexico held its first seriously competitive presidential election in modern history, although the government is believed to have rigged the result.

1990: 1990 Myanmar general election

In 1990, the government-sponsored National Unity Party in Myanmar suffered a landslide defeat by the opposition National League for Democracy in the general election, and consequently, the results were annulled.