1.2 - Widening the Franchise and Debates over Suffrage Flashcards
What is suffrage?
The ability to vote in public elections.
What is Electorate?
The body of people that are entitled to vote.
What is a ballot?
Another word for vote. A ballot box is where you cast your vote.
What is a constituency?
An area represented by an MP.
What are constituents?
The people living in a consitituency.
Who is entitled to vote in the UK?
- People over the age of 18.
- Citizens of the UK, RoI and Commonwealth.
- UK Nationals that have lived abroad for less than 15 years.
Who isn’t entitled to vote?
- Under 18’s.
- EU citizens (can still vote in local elections).
- Prisoners.
- Those convicted of corrupt or illegal electoral practice. They are barred for 5 years.
- Those in psychiatric care.
What were the two types of constituency?
County / Boroughs
How was voting in the counties restricted?
Restricted to freehold property owners.
Why was there a problem with constituency boundaries?
- They had remained unchanged for hundreds of years, and had not kept up with population change at all.
- Some votes were far more equal than others.
What was the problem with plural voting?
Wealthy men with properties in multiple locations to have multiple votes.
51%
Who was a large portion of society excluded from voting?
Women
What was the Act that improved election fairness?
The Great Reform Act 1832.
What did the Great Reform Act 1832 seek to do?
- Redistribute constituency seats more in line with population.
- Enfranchise smaller property holders and tenant farmers in counties.
- Created a standard £10 property qualification for borough voters.
How many people were allowed to vote after the Great Reform Act 1832?
5%
