Extending the franchise Flashcards
When was the Great Reform Act?
Between 1832 and 1928
What percentage of the adult population could vote in 1832?
8%
When did married women first gain the right to vote?
1918 for married women over 30.
Why in 1918 could only married women vote?
This was because they were likely to vote the same way and their husbands.
When was the vote given to ALL women?
1928
When was the vote extended to adult over the age of 18 instead of the age of 21?
1969
Where in the UK can 16 and 17 year olds vote?
Scotland- However they cannot vote in general elections
When were 16 and 17 year olds given the right to vote in Scotland?
2016
Name 3 current movements to extend the franchise
~ 16 / 17 year olds
~ Prisoners
~ Those sectioned off for mental health issues
Name an argument in favour of extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds.
With spread of citizenship education, young people are now better informed about politics than ever before.
Name an argument in favour of extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds.
Voting turnout is low among 18-24 year olds. Extending franchise may encourage more to become engaged with politics.
Name an argument in favour of extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds.
Social media enables young people to be better informed about politics.
Name an argument in favour of extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds.
If somebody is old enough to serve in the army, pay tax and get married they should be old enough to vote.
Name an argument against of extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds.
They’re too young to make rational judgments.
Overall vote therefore won’t reflect the political landscape of the UK
Name an argument against of extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds.
Issues are too complex for them to understand
Name an argument against of extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds.
Few people in this age group pay tax therefore have a lower stake in society
Name an argument against of extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds.
Turnout in 18-24 is much lower than the rest if society therefore they will turnout in even lower proportions.
Great Reform Act
granted vote to new categories such as farmers.
what happened in 1867
2nd great reform act
2nd great reform act
all working men over 21
representation of the people act 1918
married women over 30 who owned land could vote
when could all women vote
1928- 2nd representation of the people act
when was the voting age lowered to 18
1969
should voting be made compulsory (for)
force voters to become more informed
increase legitimacy
force representative to address wider concerns
should voting be made compulsory (against)
can increase ill informed decisions
expensive and difficult to administer system
civil liberty violations
should prisoners gain right to vote (yes)
fundamental human right
should prisoners gain right to vote (no)
may be uneducated
