Final answer:
In colonial America, the ability to vote was generally limited to Protestant men who owned property and were at least 21 years old. However, eligibility varied across different colonies and evolved over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
In colonial America, eligibility to vote was primarily based on gender, property ownership, and religious beliefs. The most common requirements to vote were that one had to be a male, own a certain amount of property, and in many colonies, be a member of a recognized Protestant church. These stipulations meant that the majority of people - including women, Native Americans, free and enslaved African Americans, and men who did not own property - were disenfranchised.
Moreover, in some colonies, there were also age restrictions, typically 21 years or older. It's also worth noting that these suffrage requirements varied significantly from one colony to another, and evolved over time, especially as the population diversified and political ideologies changed.
Learn more about Voting in Colonial America