Representation of the People Acts

Representation of the People Acts, statutes enacted by the British Parliament to continue the extension of the franchise begun by the Reform Bills (see under Reform Acts). As a result of the government's dependence on the unified efforts of the whole people in World War I the

Representation of the People Act of 1918 qualified as voters (with a few exceptions) women over 30 years of age and all men of 21 years or over who could establish short residence. The basis of representation in the House of Commons was fixed at 1 to 70,000. The

Representation of the People Act of 1928 qualified all women on the same terms as men. The

Representation of the People Act of 1949 reenacted and codified previous legislation relating to the conduct of elections and illegal electoral practices; it abolished the university constituencies and the additional vote given to the occupiers of business premises, thus eliminating plural voting. The

Representation of the People Act of 1969 lowered the voting age to 18.

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Representation of the People Acts

(1918, 1928) Parliamentary acts that expanded suffrage in Britain. The act of 1918 gave the vote to all men over 21 and all women over 30, which tripled the electorate. The act of 1928 extended the franchise to women aged 21–30. The acts continued the voting reforms begun by the Reform Bills (see Reform Bill of 1832, Reform Bill of 1867, Reform Bill of 1884–85).