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US Politics

Why Meghan didn’t vote in midterms

Source: News Corp Australia Network:
November 7, 2018 at 01:23
Meghan Markle is tipped to follow royal convention and not have voted. Picture: Kirsty WigglesworthSource:Getty Images
Meghan Markle is tipped to follow royal convention and not have voted. Picture: Kirsty WigglesworthSource:Getty Images

SHE’S a passionate supporter of voting rights and once called Donald Trump “misogynistic”, but here’s why Meghan won’t be having her say.

MEGHAN Markle might be a passionate supporter of voting rights but that doesn’t mean she will be having a say in the US midterm elections.

Late last month the 37-year-old delivered a stirring speech celebrating the 125th anniversary of women being granted the vote in New Zealand.

“Women’s suffrage is not simply about the right to vote for women, but also about what that represents,” Meghan said.

“The basic and fundamental human right of all people — including members of society who have been marginalised — whether for reasons of race, gender, ethnicity, or orientation — to be able to participate in the choices for their future and their community.”

Meghan addresses a reception celebrating the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand. Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth
Meghan addresses a reception celebrating the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand. Picture: Kirsty WigglesworthSource:Getty Images

But despite her strong feelings on the matter the Duchess of Sussex, who is applying for British citzenship and can still vote in her home country, is tipped to have followed royal protocol on the issue.

While there are no laws on the matter, a statement on the British Parliament’s official website says the Queen doesn’t vote because it would be “unconstitutional”.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed to Newsweek in 2017 that close members of the royal family follow Her Majesty “by convention” and don’t vote.

MORE: Meghan’s “very personal” speech at Invictus Games 

Meghan Markle speaks about Donald Trump in a 2016 interview on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. Picture: The Nightly Show
Meghan Markle speaks about Donald Trump in a 2016 interview on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. Picture: The Nightly ShowSource:Supplied

Not being able to vote in the midterms is sure to have been difficult for Meghan, who has a long history of being vocal about US politics.

The Duchess wrote a post on her now defunct blog The Tig encouraging people to have their say in the 2016 US election.

The former Suits star also supported Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton on social media and has blasted Donald Trump in a talk show appearance.

“Yes, of course, Trump is divisive, think about female voters alone, right?” Meghan told The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.

“I think it was in 2012 the Republican Party lost the female vote by 12 points; that is a huge number and with as misogynistic as Trump is, and so vocal about it, that is a huge chunk of it.”

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