1.2 The Franchise Flashcards
In what year did all over 21s get the vote?
1928 under the Equal Franchise Act
Great Reform Act 1832?
Franchise extended to anyone who’s property attracted upwards of £10 of rent a year. A rise from 4% of the population to 6%
Second Reform Act 1867?
Doubles the electorate to about 2 million. The property less and woman are still unable to vote
Third Reform Act 1884?
Franchise extended to most working men, 60% of adults can now vote
Representation of the People’s Act 1918?
Most adult men can now vote, women a
over 30 who are married or proponents owners can now vote
Representation of the People’s Act 1948?
The principle of ‘one vote for one person’ emerged meaning those of a university don’t have two votes
Representation of the people’s Act 1969?
Voting age reduced to 18
What franchise issues still remain?
- voting at 16
- compulsory voting
Arguments for voting at 16?
- young people will want to learn more about politics
- encourage a wider range of people to become engaged in politics
- can join the army, get married, pay tax ect
Arguments against voting at 16?
- young people are too young and naive to make rational judgments
- young people tend to be radical due to their lack of life experience
Arguments for compulsory voting?
- force people of all ages to make themselves more informed about politics
- governments will have greater legitimacy
- decision makers will have to include people from all sections of society in their manifesto
Arguments against compulsory voting?
- civil liberties violation
- many voters are ill-informed, so there will be ill-informed participation
- involve large amounts of expenditure
- favour larger parties against smaller parties, less informed citizens will only vote to candidates they have heard of
