Politics: democracy & participation- Reforms to voting

Question 1

What was the primary requirement for voting in the early 19th century?

Answer 1

Most boroughs required men to own property to have the right to vote.

Question 2

What did the Great Reform Act (1832) achieve?

Answer 2

Abolished ‘rotten boroughs’ (wealthy people could more easily manipulate these elections) and expanded the electorate. There was also new constituencies for growthing Cities like Manchester.

Question 3

What were ‘rotten boroughs’?

Answer 3

Areas with representatives chosen by a small electorate.

Question 4

Which cities were rewarded with new constituencies due to population growth during the Industrial Revolution?

Answer 4

• Manchester
• Birmingham

Question 5

Who were the Chartists?

Answer 5

A group that campaigned for voting rights for the working class.

Question 6

What was the Chartists’ main demand regarding voting?

Answer 6

Universal male suffrage.

Question 7

What did the Representation of the People Act (1867) accomplish?

Answer 7

Extended the franchise to all men who were property owners responsible for paying their household’s rent.

Question 8

What percentage of men could vote after the Representation of the People Act (1884)?

Answer 8

60% of men.

Question 9

What did the Representation of the People Act (1918) enable?

Answer 9

All men over the age of 21 to vote.

Question 10

Who were the Suffragettes?

Answer 10

Women who used radical methods to campaign for women’s suffrage.

Question 11

Who was Mary Wollstonecraft?

Answer 11

An early advocate for women’s suffrage in the late 18th century.

Question 12

What did the Representation of the People Act (1918) specify for women’s voting rights?

Answer 12

Only women over 30 who owned property or were married to property owners could vote.

Question 13

Who was Emmeline Pankhurst?

Answer 13

Leader of the Women’s Social and Political Union advocating for women’s suffrage.

Question 14

What did the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act (1928) achieve?

Answer 14

Extended the franchise to all women over the age of 21.

Question 15

What change did the Representation of the People Act (1969) bring?

Answer 15

Lowered the voting age to 18 for men and women.

Question 16

At what age was the voting age lowered for Scottish elections in 2014?

Answer 16

16 years old.

Question 17

In what year was the voting age lowered to 16 for Welsh elections?

Answer 17

2021.

Question 18

True or False: The voting age in Scotland is still 18.

Answer 18

False.

Question 19

What is one proposed reform to the UK’s democracy?

Answer 19

Lowering the voting age to 16

Other proposed reforms include electronic voting, compulsory voting, and giving all prisoners the right to vote.

Question 20

In which parts of the UK can 16- and 17-year-olds currently vote?

Answer 20

Scotland and Wales

The voting age remains 18 for general elections in England and Northern Ireland.

Question 21

What percentage of registered 16- and 17-year-olds voted in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?

Answer 21

75%

This high turnout continued in the 2016 and 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.

Question 22

What is a key argument in favor of lowering the voting age?

Answer 22

1. Encouraging a lifelong habit of voting
2. Higher turnout
3. More democratic

Supporters believe that voting while in school or college fosters a habit of participation.

Question 23

What was the turnout percentage for 18-24-year-olds in the 2019 general election?

Answer 23

47%

This indicates lower engagement compared to younger voters in Scotland.

Question 24

What do some campaigners consider undemocratic regarding the voting ageacross theUK?

Answer 24

Disparity in voting age across the UK

It’s seen as unfair that 16- and 17-year-olds can vote in some regions but not in others.

Question 25

What did research after the 2014 independence referendum reveal about young voters?

Answer 25

They used a broader range of sources for voting decisions ## Footnote This contrasts with older age groups.

Question 26

What is a major concern of opponents of lowering the voting age? X3

Answer 26

1. Influence from parents or guardians 2. Limited political education 3. Not involved ( don't pay tax etc ) ## Footnote Critics argue that young voters may lack independent decision-making.

Question 27

What percentage of survey respondents supported lowering the voting age in 2018?

Answer 27

34% ## Footnote This indicates limited public support for the change.

Question 28

What are some traditional voting methods mentioned?

Answer 28

In-person voting, proxy voting, postal voting ## Footnote These methods are seen as outdated in a digital society.

Question 29

What are some arguments for electronic voting?

Answer 29

1. Increase accessibility and engagement 2. May increase participation in18-24year olds 3. More modern ## Footnote This highlights the risks associated with online voting systems.

Question 30

What are some arguments against electronic voting?

Answer 30

1. Security risks, hacking etc 2. Comprmises voter secrecy

Question 31

What has been the voter turnout in Australia since compulsory voting was introduced in 1924?

Answer 31

Turnout has nearly always been over 90% or just below this figure.

Question 32

What impact could compulsory voting have in the UK?

Answer 32

An estimated fifth of those who currently choose not to vote would likely participate in elections.

Question 33

What do opponents of compulsory voting argue?

Answer 33

1. Creates an illusion of engagement. 2. Some may only vote because they need to, not taking it seriously and distorting the result. ## Footnote The Electoral Reform Society, a pressure group would supporsupport introducing a proportional electoral system and lowering the ociety. voting age to 16 does not support compulsory voting for this reason.

Question 34

Which pressure group does not support compulsory voting?

Answer 34

The Electoral Reform Society.

Question 35

What is the debate regarding prisoners and voting?

Answer 35

There is debate over whether prisoners should have the right to vote.

Question 36

What does the Howard League argue regarding votes for prisoners?

Answer 36

It argues that extending the right to vote to all prisoners would improve democracy and society, giving them a stake may help rehabilitation.

Question 37

What ruling allowed civil prisoners to vote? ## Footnote Those in prison for fines etc

Answer 37

A 2005 European Court of Human Rights ruling.

Question 38

What did David Cameron say about convicted prisoners voting?

Answer 38

"Frankly, when a crime is committed, one should lose their rights, including the right to vote."

Question 39

What was the consensus in Parliament regarding prisoners' voting rights in 2011?

Answer 39

There was cross-party consensus against extending the right to vote to all prisoners.

Question 40

Which pressure group supports extending the right to vote to all prisoners?

Answer 40

The Howard League.