Evidence of high registration suggests high turnout
Turnout at the general elections could be high as many more voters have downloaded registration forms from the internet compared to 2005.
The Electoral Commission says that by the end of last week almost 300,000 people downloaded registration documents in comparison with 49,000 forms downloaded in the last general elections, a six times increase.
One reason may be that the internet has made registration easier, and the expenses scandal has had only a short term effect on voters’ political engagement.
Professor Sanders of Essex University told a conference at the London School of Economics recently that levels of trust in politicians and parties plummeted in June 2009 – the peak of expenses scandal – but picked up again by November 2009 and remained stable since then.
A close race also encourages people to vote, say the experts.
However, some say that the effect of the scandals may yet to be seen, as voters’ decision to take part in elections may result in support of other parties, like Ukip, the BNP or the Greens.
Electoral turnout reached its peak of 84% in 1950. Since then it has been in decline.
2001’s figure of 59.4% turning out is the lowest since 1945.
