Want to try our resources? Sign up for our 14-Day Free Trial

Are elections just popularity contests?

18th - 25th October 2024

Back to results

44381

Total votes

9541

5-11 votes

34840

11-16+ votes

Ahead of the US election on 5th November, young people were exploring the Republican and Democrat campaigns so far. They discussed events such as the televised Presidential debate in June, Joe Biden stepping aside for Kamala Harris and the assassination attempts on Donald Trump. This led to an informed discussion of how far popularity plays a role in the outcome of elections. Is it human instinct to vote for who we like the most? Or does objectivity reign supreme in politics?

Secondary, College & 18+ students discussed, “Are elections just popularity contests?”, whilst Primary 7-11 pupils considered, “Should we choose our leaders based on their personality?” and Primary 5-7-year olds voted on the question, “Is it easy to choose a leader?”

44,381 young people voted on this topic.

Age 5-11 voter

We think that leaders should be chosen not by their personalities but by their attributes.

Age 11-16 voter

People voting rarely comment on policies, they comment on the behaviours or personalities of individuals they vote for, so we feel strongly that it is more a popularity contest!

Age 16+ voter

I don't think it's a popularity contest, because everyone in the US knows who Trump and Harris are, but the difference between them is their goals and what they want to achieve in the future, which is what people care about.

  • Voters aged 5-7 voted 'Yes' in the majority to the question, “Is it easy to choose a leader?”
  • Meanwhile, 7-11-year olds were discussing the factors we should consider when choosing a leader, with the question, “Should we choose our leaders based on their personality?”
  • The majority said 'No', with many arguing that other factors are more important.

  • Secondary students considered the question, "Are elections just popularity contests?"
  • 59% voted 'Yes', however many disagreed on whether they should be.
  • Some voters thought popular candidates would inevitably receive more press which would in turn, encourage more votes for that person.
  • Others said it was more important to consider the policies a candidate stands for.

  • College and 18+ voters were considering the same question as Secondary students.
  • A greater majority voted 'Yes', at 64%.