Extension of the Franchise Flashcards
1
Q
Votes at 16
A
- 16s can vote in elections to the Scottish Parliament
- Votes at 16 coalition established in 2003 - brought together the National Union of Students and British Youth Council
- Supported by Labour and Lib Dems (not Conservatives)
- Get as much publicity as possible - major online presence and education presence
- Seeks endorsement of MPs
- Jim McMohan’s PMB failed due to a lack of time
2
Q
Voting age should be lowered
A
- Young people can exercise responsibility (have sex, pay tax, join army) so they are clearly mature enough to vote
- Introduction of Citizenship lessons on school curriculum means young people are more informed on current affairs
- Encourages young people to take responsibility
- Most LEAs hold elections to UK Youth Parliament (praised for positive campaigning - commitment to BLM and the environment)
- 75% of 16/17s voted in the Scottish Independence ref
-If they can vote for Holyrood, why not Westminster?
3
Q
Voting age should remain at 18
A
- Responsibilities at 16 are misleading (parental permission to join the army)
- Not responsible enough to buy alcohol/tobacco so they don’t exercise all adult responsibilities
- UN convention of rights - children have the right to be treated as such (army u18s cannot serve in combat) - if voting age is lower then they should be treated as adults -unsafe
- Most 16/17 are in full time education - don’t fully commit to society
- 18-24 turnout is lower than older people - lowering voter age could contribute to voter apathy
- In 2021, Isle of Man saw a 45% turnout from 55.3% in 2006
- 16/17 have no adult experiences (could be affected by peer pressure)
4
Q
Prisoner Voting
A
- John Hirst claimed he should be able to vote but dismissed in 2001
- In 2004, ECHR claimed that a blanket ban on prisoner voting violates Article 3 (free elections)
- British gov was in defiance of human rights law
- Liberty and Howard League for Penal Reform support prisoner voting
- Little public pressure for a change in the law
- Cross-party commendation (234:22)
5
Q
Prisoner voting reform
A
- In 2017, the gov allowed a small number of prisoners on day release to vote
- Scotland allows prisoners with sentences shorter than 12 months to vote for Holyrood and local elections
- Public opinion is that if one has been convicted of a serious crime, they have broken their contract in society and have lost their citizen rights
6
Q
Compulsory Voting: For
A
- Enforces government legitimacy
- 15 countries enforce this (and North Korea)
- Belgium introduced it in 1893 - 2019 federal elections the turnout was 90%
- Australia enforced it in 1924 - 2019 federal elections got 92% turnout
- Enhances the government mandate
- Would address lack of participation in the UK
- Force voters to engage with civic responsibilities
- Politically educated and participatory democracy
7
Q
Compulsory Voting: Against
A
- Gives the state too much power to coerce citizens
- Not voting represents a powerful political statement of disapproval
- Forcing people to vote does address the reasons why people do not vote
- It would increase turnout, and also increase politically uniformed decisions - degrading the outcome
- Seems oppressive
8
Q
Yes to Compulsory Voting
A
- Voting is a civic responsibility - if people do not vote, democracy wears away
- Political apathy is a problem (67.3% in 2019 when it was 77.7% in 1992) - limited turnout undermines legitimacy
- People not voting are from D/E and young people
- Does not force people to make a choice (In AUS, voters can spoil their ballot)
- Encourages political education
9
Q
No to Compulsory Voting
A
- Public should have the choice to not vote - up to politicians to mobilise enthusiasm
- Random voting can undermine legitimacy or result
- Compulsory voting is based on Coercion- it is a civic right, not a duty
- Increases state power
- Not voting creates a statement - In 2021, 33.3% voted for PCC indicating that it is an insignificant thing to vote for
