Topic: Elections & Voting

INTERACTIVE TOPIC · CHAPTER 5 — GOVERNMENT, THE LAW AND YOUR ROLE

Elections & Voting

One X, one box, 650 winners. Sort who can vote, match the kinds of election, and complete the story of polling day itself.

⏱ About 8 minutesPASS PACK TOPIC6 learning blocksMastery check: 6 real questions

0 of 6 learning blocks done

STEP 1 · PRIME YOUR BRAIN

Before we start — have a guess

Two warm-up questions about election day.

In a general election, what decides who wins a constituency seat?

A general election must be held at least how often?

STEP 2 · THE PICTURE

Polling day, step by step

1 · Your name is on the electoral register 2 · A poll card arrives at your home 3 · Polling station open 7 am – 10 pm 4 · Mark one X, fold, post it in the box 5 · Votes are counted, usually overnight

Can’t get there? You can arrange a postal vote or a proxy vote — someone you trust voting for you. The Electoral Commission oversees the whole system.

STEP 3 · LEARN BY DOING — 1 OF 3

Who can vote in a general election?

Tap a person to select them, then tap the bucket they belong in.

✅ Can vote

🚫 Cannot vote

LEARN BY DOING — 2 OF 3

Match the elections

Tap an election, then tap what it does.

LEARN BY DOING — 3 OF 3

Complete polling day

To vote, your name must be on ····. Polling stations are open from ····. On the ballot paper you mark ···· next to one name. If no party wins an overall majority, the result is called ····.

GAP 1

GAP 2

GAP 3

GAP 4

STEP 4 · QUICKFIRE RECALL

True or false — no thinking time allowed

STEP 5 · MASTERY CHECK

Six real questions on this topic

Score 5 or 6 and this topic is marked mastered on your path. Anything less: revisit the block you missed and retake.

Question 1 of 60 answered · 0 correct

Question 1 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role

A UK general election must normally take place within which maximum period?

MPs are elected in a general election, which is held at least every five years.

Question 2 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role

Before election day, what must you do if you want to be able to vote?

You can only vote if you are registered — your name and address must appear on the electoral register for your area. Each person is responsible for registering themselves - registration is individual rather than by household, as has long been the case in Northern Ireland.

Question 3 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role

At a general election, when does the counting of votes usually take place?

Counting begins as soon as ballot boxes arrive after polls close at 10pm, and most constituency results are declared during the night.

Question 4 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role

Why might a letter or email about the electoral register arrive at your home once a year?

Every year, councils carry out an annual canvass of households to check and update the electoral register, adding people who have moved in and removing those who have left.

Question 5 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role

If you will be away or cannot get to a polling station on election day, which TWO of these can you arrange in advance?

Choose TWO answers — select both to see the result

Voters who cannot attend in person can apply in advance for a postal vote, or appoint a proxy — a person they trust who votes on their behalf at their polling station. There is no voting a week early at the town hall, and voting by telephone is not available.

Question 6 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role

You must be 18 or over to vote in a UK parliamentary election.

The voting age for UK parliamentary elections is 18.

✓ green = correct · ✗ red = wrong · 🚩 red ring = marked for review · gold outline = current question

✕ Exit to Topics

STEP 6 · TEACH IT BACK

Say it in your own words

A friend has never voted. Explain what they must do before election day, and what happens at the polling station. Say it out loud or write it down — then compare.

Reveal a model answer

First, they must get their name on the electoral register — without registering, they cannot vote. Before the day, a poll card arrives telling them where their polling station is. On the day, stations are open from 7 am to 10 pm; they mark an X next to one candidate, fold the ballot paper and post it in the ballot box. The votes are then counted, usually overnight.

Where next?

Drill all of Chapter 5 in the Chapter 5 practice sets, or pick your next topic on the Topics path.