The wishes of the people: 1901 electoral voting patterns and their determinants

Abstract

The 1901 election result is analysed in terms of the voting patterns and socio- economic characteristics of voters. The primary analysis is in terms of the eligible population voting, the proportion who vote formally, and the proportion of votes cast for each party. The main socio-economic characteristics influencing voting decisions were: overseas birth (which enhanced votes for both Free Trade and Labor), Catholicism (support for Protectionism), primary production (support for Protectionism and opposition to Labor) and female population share (support for Protectionism and opposition to Labor). Show more