Voter Turnout

Lesson Objectives I will get the opportunity to analyse election data in relation to voter turnout and age I will get the opportunity to express my views on whether young people should be forced to vote

Look at the next slide. What conclusion can you reach about turnout in relation to age?

Voting Turnout By Age - General Election 2010

Why do you think young people are the least likely group to vote?

The IPPR think tank said recently that the government should force all people voting for t he first time to vote or face a fine if they do not If this wouldn’t work, what would?

How will young people do a disservice to themselves if they continue not to vote?

How will young people do a disservice to themselves if they continue not to vote We have a ‘greying’ population, who tend to vote in high numbers If you were a politician, whose vote would you go after? Why would create policies that suit the young but not the old?

Conclusion It is clear from the evidence that older people are more likely to vote than younger people However increased party use of social media and the lowering of the voting age in next years referendum may stimulate more interest among young people