exercising their franchise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercising their franchise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of voting or participating in a democratic process, referring to the act of utilizing one's right to vote. Example: "Citizens are encouraged to participate in the upcoming election by exercising their franchise and making their voices heard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Shareholders can be finicky in exercising their franchise.

The New York Times

In 2013, the US supreme court, in an act of judicial activism or hubris, eliminated from the 1965 Voting Rights Act the critical pre-clearance clause for states that historically prohibited black Americans from exercising their franchise.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the Democrats' image has been dented by its efforts to prevent people peacefully exercising their franchise, and by the occasional violence the protests have provoked, in which ten people have died.The government's predicament, however, looks if anything even worse than its opponents'.

The Economist

"There have been no incidents in respect of assault and or shooting which has prevented voters from exercising their franchise," Rohana said.

Los Angeles Times

And a new Freedom Summer is planned to register people to vote this year -- especially in states that are doing their best to prevent everyone from exercising their franchise.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This new system, if actualised, will ensure women's security and safety to exercise their franchise".

The Guardian

Only 43.3percentt of eligible voters in the area exercised their franchise, but that wasn't much of a surprise.

The New York Times

PERHAPS it was the ghosts who voted flowing up the steps, floating through the windows, squeezing through the bullet holes and broken walls to exercise their franchise.

The Economist

But it's far from clear whether many overseas Indians will bother to exercise their franchise as five Indian states get ready to go to the polls starting later this month.

The New York Times

If new voter ID laws survive legal challenges in those Republican-controlled battleground states, a marginal Romney victory would powerfully reinforce the belief on the left that some lawfully registered voters were denied the right to exercise their franchise.

The New York Times

Yet I have heard and read nothing about what Mayor Bloomberg and his administration are doing to ensure that all voters, especially those in the many devastated areas without electricity or public transportation, will be able to exercise their franchise.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exercising their franchise" when you want to emphasize the importance of voting as a fundamental right, particularly in discussions about civil rights or democratic participation.

Common error

Avoid using "exercising their franchise" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "voting" or "casting their ballot" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercising their franchise" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of voters utilizing their right to vote. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly associated with democratic processes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exercising their franchise" is a phrase used to describe the act of voting, emphasizing the importance of this right within a democratic society. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for discussions related to voting rights, civil liberties, and the electoral process. While the phrase is correct and acceptable, it's crucial to consider the context, favoring more straightforward language like "casting their ballot" or "voting" in less formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, signaling a formal register and its common use in political discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

casting their ballot

Replaces "franchise" with the more common term "ballot", focusing on the physical act of voting.

utilizing their right to vote

Emphasizes the legal entitlement to participate in elections.

participating in the election

Highlights the broader involvement in the electoral process.

making their voices heard

Focuses on the impact of voting as a means of expressing opinions.

engaging in the democratic process

Places the act of voting within the larger context of democratic participation.

exercising their voting power

Highlights the influence that voters have when they vote.

performing their civic duty

Emphasizes voting as a responsibility of citizenship.

going to the polls

A more informal way of describing the act of voting.

expressing their electoral choice

Highlights the aspect of decision-making in voting.

taking part in the vote

A simpler, more direct way of describing participation in an election.

FAQs

What does "exercising their franchise" mean?

It refers to the act of voting or participating in an election, emphasizing the right to do so in a democratic society.

When is it appropriate to use "exercising their franchise"?

It's suitable in formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, or discussions about voting rights and civic duties.

What are some alternatives to "exercising their franchise"?

You can use alternatives like "casting their ballot", "voting", or "participating in the election" depending on the context.

Is "exercising their franchise" formal language?

Yes, it is considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "voting". It is often used in legal or political discussions.