Rights, Duties & Values: Political Rights (Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies): Revision Note

The right to vote

• The right to vote allows citizens to choose who represents them

• Voting takes place in elections and referendums and is a key feature of a democratic society

Who has the right to vote

• Voting rights in the UK depend on age, citizenship, residence and the type of election

  • Citizens in Scotland and Wales have greater voting rights in elections for devolved Parliament elections than in UK general elections

General requirements to vote in the UK

• A person must be registered to vote

  • Registration must be completed before the official deadline

  • To vote in a general election, a person must be registered in a UK parliamentary constituency

• A person must be old enough on polling day

  • The voting age is 18 in most UK elections, but 16 in Scotland and Wales for devolved and local elections

• A person must be registered at a local address.

  • This determines where their vote is counted

• A person must not be legally excluded from voting

  • Some groups, such as prisoners serving a custodial sentence, cannot vote

  • Members of the House of Lords cannot vote in UK General elections because they already take part in Parliament

Voting in different parts of the UK

• In all parts of the UK, citizens are entitled to vote if

  • They are a British or Irish citizen

  • They have permission to remain in the UK, regardless of nationality

Why the right to vote is important

• Voting gives citizens a voice in how the country is run

  • It allows people to influence laws and government decisions

  • It helps make governments accountable to the public

• Voting is based on ideas of equality and fairness

  • Each vote counts the same in an election

Voting and responsibility

The right to stand for election

• To stand for election means to put yourself forward as a candidate so that voters can choose you to represent them

  • Candidates must meet legal requirements about citizenship, age, and eligibility

  • Some people are disqualified to protect fairness and democracy

• Candidates do not have to belong to a political party to stand for election

  • Candidates can stand as independents, without any party affiliation

  • Independent candidates must still meet the same legal requirements and follow the same election rules as party candidates

Local council elections

UK general elections

Freedom of association

• Freedom of association is the right to join with others to form groups, organisations and communities

  • It means people can choose who they associate with or decide not to join any group

Examples of freedom of association

• Joining clubs, societies or sports teams

• Becoming a member of a trade union or pressure group

• Taking part in charities, campaigns or community groups

Why freedom of association is important

• It allows people to express shared interests and identities

• It helps citizens work together to influence change

• It supports participation in democracy and civil society

Responsibility and freedom of association

• Groups should act peacefully and lawfully

• Members should respect the rights and freedoms of others

• Freedom of association may be limited if groups promote harm or violence