This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2007)

In 1872, Gladstone introduced the Ballot Act, which required that British general elections to Parliament and local government election use the secret ballot. Previously employers or land owners were able to use their sway over their employees to influence the vote, by being present or sending representatives to check on votes.

The principle of a secret ballot had long been campaigned for by radicals such as the Chartists. The 1867 Reform Act enfranchised the skilled working class in borough constituencies and it was felt that, due to their economic circumstances, these voters would be much more susceptible to bribery, intimidation and blackmail. The radical John Bright expressed concerns that tenants would face the threat of eviction were they to vote against the wishes of their landlord.

Many within the establishment had opposed the introduction of a secret ballot. They felt that pressure from patrons on tenants was legitimate and that a secret ballot was simply unmanly and cowardly. Lord Russell voiced his opposition to the creation of a culture of secrecy in elections which he believed should be public affairs. He saw it as 'an obvious prelude from household to universal suffrage'.

Election spending was, at the time, unlimited and many voters would take bribes from both sides. While the secret ballot might have had some effect in reducing corruption in British politics, the The Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act of 1883 formalised the position and is seen by many to have been the key legislation in the attempts to end electoral corruption.

v • d • e Electoral reform in the United Kingdom Reform Acts Parliamentary England 1832 · Scotland 1832 · Ireland 1832 · England 1867 · Scotland 1868 · Ireland 1868 Municipal Scotland 1833 · England 1835 · Ireland 1840 Representation of the People Acts 1884 · 1918 · 1928 · 1948 · 1949 · 1969 · 1981 · 1983 · 1985 · 1989 · 1990 · 1991 · 1993 · 2000 Other related Acts Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 · Ballot Act 1872 · Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act 1883 · Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 · Electoral Administration Act 2006 Related topics Unreformed House of Commons · Chartism · Reform Club · Carlton Club · Rotten borough · Women's suffrage

v • d • e United Kingdom legislation Acts of Parliament by states preceding the Kingdom of Great Britain Acts of Parliament of England to 1601 · 1603–1641 · Interregnum (1642–1660) · 1660–1699 · 1700–1706 Acts of Parliament of Scotland Acts of the Parliament of Ireland to 1700 · 1701–1800 Acts of Parliament of the Kingdom of Great Britain 1707–1719 · 1720–1739 · 1740–1759 · 1760–1779 · 1780–1800 Acts of Parliament of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1801–1819 · 1820–1839 · 1840–1859 · 1860–1879 · 1880–1899 · 1900–1919 · 1920–1939 · 1940–1959 · 1960–1979 · 1980–1999 · 2000 to date Church of England Measures List · Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919 Legislation of Devolved institutions Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly · Northern Ireland Parliament · Scottish Parliament Measures of the Welsh Assembly Orders in Council for Northern Ireland Secondary legislation United Kingdom Statutory Instruments · Scottish Statutory Instruments · Act of Sederunt

This article relating to law in the United Kingdom, or its constituent jurisdictions is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e