- Define and explain Secret Ballots in your own words
- Use key terms such as fair accurately
- Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
- Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic
This lesson focuses on Secret Ballots: explains why voting in secret keeps people free from pressure and bullying.
Explains why voting in secret keeps people free from pressure and bullying.
Key ideas
Secret ballots
In a secret ballot, nobody can see how you voted. This protects people from being bullied or pressured into voting a certain way. Marking a paper in private and folding it before posting it in the box is a simple example of a secret ballot.
One person, one vote
Fair voting gives every person exactly one vote, and every vote counts the same. It would not be fair if the teacher's vote counted ten times more than yours, or if some people got to vote twice. Equal votes mean the result truly reflects what the group wants.
Key term — fair: A vote is fair when everyone gets one equal vote, nobody is pressured, and the counting is honest.
Why is a secret ballot fairer than voting with a show of hands?
Because nobody can be bullied or pressured when their choice is private.
Answer: Because nobody can be bullied or pressured when their choice is private.
- 'It is fine to peek at someone's ballot' Peeking breaks the secrecy that keeps voting free from pressure. Everyone deserves to vote without being watched.
- 'My vote does not matter' Every vote counts exactly the same, and close results are decided by just a few votes. Staying out of a vote means letting others decide for you.
Practice
For example, letting some people vote twice, or pressuring others to vote a certain way.
Red wins, with 13 votes to 12.
Everyone gets exactly one vote, and every vote counts the same.
Because the vote was fair, and refusing to accept it breaks trust and stops the group moving on.
Quick check
Which of these best defines "fair"?
Your family votes on a weekend activity and your choice loses. What is the gracious thing to do?
- Secret Ballots: explains why voting in secret keeps people free from pressure and bullying.
- Secret ballots: In a secret ballot, nobody can see how you voted.
- ballot: A ballot is the paper or device used to record a vote, keeping choices clear and countable.
- Watch out for: 'It is fine to peek at someone's ballot'