in public law, the right granted to a single voter to cast more than one vote. The practice was widespread in the 19th century, especially in Great Britain, Germany, and a number of other Western European countries, where a citizen might be entered on several voting lists—in the district of residence, as well as in the district where he owned immovable property (for example, a factory) or at the university from which he had received a diploma. Plural voting, which was generally a privilege of the wealthy, declined in importance in the 20th century. However, it is still practiced in some of the Australian states and in New Zealand, where the owners of large properties are allowed several votes each in local elections.