Final answer:
Voting rights in colonial Maryland were restricted to those who owned property, making the government undemocratic. Power lay with the proprietors, who had control over the land and could support or deny decisions made by the Assembly.
Step-by-step explanation:
In colonial Maryland, voting rights were restricted to those colonists who owned a significant amount of property, either land or personal property. Similarly, only those with large land holdings could serve in the Assembly. These restrictions prevented the average farmer from being able to vote or hold a position in the government.
The government in Maryland was not very democratic, as power ultimately rested in the hands of the proprietors, who had the ability to support or deny any decision made by the Assembly. The proprietors also had control over the land, and often sold it only to Catholics, who were among the largest landowners.
Additionally, the Calvert family enacted laws in the 1670s that further restricted access to political power. These laws were met with disapproval from the common people, particularly Protestants.