FASCINATING
BRITISH
GENERAL ELECTION
FACTS
1.
General elections tend to be held on a Thursday. This is convention, and the Prime
Minister could change the day. The last general election not to be held on a Thursday
was on Tuesday, 27 October 1931.
2.
In 1969, the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.
3.
In 1918, women over 30 could vote and in 1928, women over 21 could vote.
4.
There are 46,139,900 voters in the UK.
5.
The lowest turnout at a UK general election was at the end of World War I when
polling stations saw just 57.2% of eligible voters cast their ballot.
6.
Democracy costs! The last general election in 2010 cost an estimated £113.2 million.
7.
The Queen can vote but she does not as it is considered unconstitutional.
8.
Polling staff cannot turn away drunk voters, but if you appear incapable of casting
your vote, you will need to prove that you are capable.
9.
The smallest parliamentary constituency is Islington North at 7.35 square kilometres.
10.
P7
It is estimated that approximately 7.5million voters are missing from
the electoral register – hence the reminders!