The growing problem of electoral turnout in Britain? voluntary and involuntary non‐voters in 2001

Abstract

Turnout at the 2001 UK general election was very much lower than predicted by models based on the previous 14 contests; over 40% of the registered electorate abstained then, compared with less than 30% in 1997. This suggests a major change in people's attitudes to general elections. Using responses to survey questions on reasons for not voting, we suggest that about 55% of abstainers in 2001 did so deliberately whereas 45% were unable to vote because of what they claimed were circumstances beyond their control. Analysis of the latter group show that they are not as committed to the democratic system of elections as those who did vote, though they are less sceptical of it than the deliberate abstainers. Easier means of voting may ensure that a substantial proportion of them turn out at subsequent elections. Among the deliberate abstainers, however, greater future participation is likely only if their scepticism is tackled ‐ if they have more faith in governments and in the value of bothering to vote.