Final answer:
The Virginia House of Burgesses, founded in 1619, was the first representative government in the English colonies, marking an important step in the development of democratic governance in North America.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first representative government in the English colonies in which voters elected their lawmakers was the Virginia House of Burgesses, established in 1619. This body was the first group of elected representatives to meet in the New World, setting a precedent for self-governance and legislative assembly in the colonies. On July 30, 1619, the House of Burgesses convened for their initial meeting at Jamestown, despite the unfortunate outbreak of malaria that cut the session short.
This establishment of the House of Burgesses was a crucial step in the development of democratic governance in America, giving landowners the right to vote and representation in the legislative process. It also provided an important model that would be followed for years to come, where elected bodies would make decisions for the general welfare of the people. With its success, the Virginia assembly became an influential and effective body in the Colonial Era.