Why is registering to vote so important?

Why is registering to vote so important?

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will investigate running a voter registration drive and consider how people register to vote, as well as why it is so important. We will also consider why local elections matter and how this is linked to power to make decisions in our counties, towns, cities and villages.

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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5 Questions

Q1.
To vote in local elections within England, what age do you have to be?
16
17
Correct answer: 18
21
Q2.
True or false? If you are an Irish or Commonwealth citizen, you can still vote in English local elections.
False
Correct answer: True
Q3.
A political party is a group of people who share a common view on issues. Which one of these is NOT a political party?
Correct answer: Greenpeace
Liberal Democrats
The Conservative Party
The Green Party
The Labour Party
Q4.
True or false? You can vote if you are serving a sentence in prison.
Correct answer: False
True
Q5.
First Past The Post (FPTP) is the voting system used in local elections in England. Which statement best describes FPTP?
A voting system where the winner is the candidate who gets the majority of votes.
Correct answer: A voting system where the winner is the candidate who gets the most number of votes. Also called a plurality or winner takes all system.

5 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Democracy is a system of government whereby people are able to express their views fairly and vote.
False
Correct answer: True
Q2.
True or false? A voter registration drive is an organised process of encouraging residents to register to vote. All voters must be on the electoral register.
False
Correct answer: True
Q3.
True or false? The ballot box is where votes are placed, once cast, in a polling station
False
Correct answer: True
Q4.
Which of the following BEST describes a manifesto?
A list of candidates standing in a local election.
A set of past achievements, created by a political party or local candidate.
Correct answer: A set of written pledges to voters about what a political party or local candidate would do if elected.
Someone who not take responsibility for their actions.
Q5.
A political party or group with the majority of councillors can run the council and make decisions. To calculate whether a political party or group has a majority, which formula should you use?
One political party having 40% +1 of all councillors on a council.
Correct answer: One political party having 50% +1 of all councillors on a council.
One political party having 60% +1 of all councillors on a council.
One political party having 70% +1 of all councillors on a council.

Lesson appears in

UnitCitizenship / How does local democracy work?

Citizenship