Individual voters are the core of representative democracy because, together, they choose those who will make decisions for all.  Elections provide a way for all to decide on the decision makers (popular control) in a way that ensures that all voters have the same chance to participate (political equality).

There are three sets of issues that relate to individuals’ involvement in elections: the question of who can vote, referred to as the franchise; the information that people need in order to have the chance to have their say; and theories that seek to explain how individuals decide whether to participate, and which candidate or party will win their vote(s) if they do.

In all cases the aim is to ensure popular control and political equality.  In reality, however, there are some practical constraints upon this goal.