The affirmative side of mandatory voting argues that if we force voters to show up at the polls, they can still cast a spoiled/void or blank ballot, and would be more likely to spend the time to become knowledgeable on the issues. However, the no side argues that it is undemocratic to force people to vote and is an infringement of liberties. Some believe that the best way to increase participation is by understanding the reasons why we are not showing up at the polls and how to address the symptoms: for example, disengaged voters turned off by political scandals, partisan politics, lack of civility etc. Would mandatory voting help in this respect? Would mandatory voting created a more representative version of government if more poor, young, disenfranchised or marginalized sectors of society are forced to vote? Is democracy better served by mandatory voting?
Jurisdictions with mandatory voting rules do allow for exceptions, mobility
issues, travel, medical etc. There are other forced responsibilities that we
except and deal with every day in civil society; taxation, education and Jury
duty – is voting any different?
A sample review of voter turnout in recent elections follows:
2012/2008 US Presidential Elections 57.5 %
2008 Canadian Federal Election 58.8% (by comparison the 1958 election
just under 80%)
2011 Canadian Federal Election 61.1 %
2013 Australia General election 95% (Mandatory voting law- enforced)
2010 Rwanda 89.2%
2012 Turkmenistan 87.0%
2012 Venezuela 78.9%
2012 Dominican Republic 70.2% (Mandatory – not enforced)
...
Reasons for mandatory voting:
• Parliament reflects more accurately the will of the electorate.
• Candidates can concentrate their campaigning energies on issues rather than
encouraging voters to attend the poll.
• The voter isn't actually compelled to vote for anyone because voting is by
secret ballot.
• Citizens fulfil their democratic responsibility.
• Citizens want to become more informed: citizen learning.
• Decisions made by democratically elected governments are more legitimate when
higher proportions of the population participate (IDEA).
Reasons against mandatory voting:
• Some suggest that it is undemocratic to force people to vote and is an
infringement of liberty.
• The uninformed and disinterest are forced to the polls.
• It may increase the number of spoiled, blank and donkey votes (votes for a random candidate by people who feel that they are required to vote by law).
• It increases the number of safe, single-member electorates - political parties
then concentrate on the more marginal electorates.
• Enforcement time and costs to determine whether those who failed to vote have
valid and sufficient reasons.
• If a person doesn’t like any candidate, policy leader or party why force them?
• Infringement on religious beliefs – for example, Jehovah’s Witnesses
• Freedom of choice
Counties in which compulsory voting is enforced (11)
Country
|
Year introduced
|
Demographic
|
Measures
|
Notes
|
Argentina
|
1912
|
Compulsory between 18 and 70 years old
|
May opt out in primaries- conditions apply
|
|
Australia
|
1924
|
Compulsory for federal and state for ages 18 and above
|
Possible fines
|
2010 Tasmanian election 6000 people fined $26.00 with about 2000 paying the fine
|
Brazil
|
Compulsory for literate citizens from 18 -70 years old
|
Non-compulsory for 16-17 or over 70 or illiterate citizens
|
||
Cyprus
|
1960
|
|||
Liechtenstein
|
||||
Luxemburg
|
Voluntary for those over 70
|
|||
Nauru
|
1965
|
|||
Peru
|
1933
|
Compulsory for 18 -70.
Voluntary for those over 70
|
||
Singapore
|
Compulsory for those older than 21
|
|||
Uruguay
|
1934
|
Not in practice until 1970
|
||
Schaffhausen canton in Switzerland
|
Introduced in whole in 1904 but abolished in all other cantons in 1974
|
|||
Countries in which voting is compulsory but not enforced
|
Country
|
Year introduced
|
Demographic
|
Measures
|
Notes
|
|
Belgium
| |
Compulsory 18 +
| | |
|
Bolivia
|
1952
| | | |
|
Costa Rica
| | | | |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | |
|
Dominican Republic
| |
Compulsory 18+
| |
Military and National Police cannot vote
|
|
Egypt
| | | |
Military and National Police cannot vote
|
|
France
| | | |
Senate only
|
|
Gabon
| | | | |
|
Greece
| | | | |
|
Guatemala
| | | | |
|
Honduras
| | | | |
|
Indian state of Gujarat
|
2014
|
For local civic elections
| | |
|
Lebanon
| |
Men only
| | |
|
Libya
| | | |
Technically compulsory
|
|
Mexico
| | | | |
|
Panama
| | | | |
|
Paraguay
| |
Compulsory form 18 to 75
| | |
|
Thailand
| | | | |
|
Turkey
| | | | |
|
Country
|
Year introduced
|
Demographic
|
Measures
|
Notes
|
|
Belgium
| |
Compulsory 18 +
| | |
|
Bolivia
|
1952
| | | |
|
Costa Rica
| | | | |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | |
|
Dominican Republic
| |
Compulsory 18+
| |
Military and National Police cannot vote
|
|
Egypt
| | | |
Military and National Police cannot vote
|
|
France
| | | |
Senate only
|
|
Gabon
| | | | |
|
Greece
| | | | |
|
Guatemala
| | | | |
|
Honduras
| | | | |
|
Indian state of Gujarat
|
2014
|
For local civic elections
| | |
|
Lebanon
| |
Men only
| | |
|
Libya
| | | |
Technically compulsory
|
|
Mexico
| | | | |
|
Panama
| | | | |
|
Paraguay
| |
Compulsory form 18 to 75
| | |
|
Thailand
| | | | |
|
Turkey
| | | | |
