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Compulsory voting

WHAT IS COMPULSORY VOTING?

Compulsory Voting is a system in which electors are obliged to vote in elections or attend a polling place on voting day

ADVANTAGES

  • More people will participate in democracy

  • more equal representation

DISADVANTAGES

  • there will be too many invalid votes that will skew the results because of people who are not interested in elections 

  • violation of personal freedom and personal rights

UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES

In the US, voting is a right. Thus, we do not use compulsory voting. According to a survey, only 20 percent would favor mandatory voting, while nearly 78 percent says citizens should be able to decide for themselves whether or not to vote in national elections. However, in some democracies, voting is compulsory. There are total of 22 countries that use this voting system.

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PENALTIES OF NOT VOTING IN SOME COUNTRIES

Belgium: People aged 18 or over who do not vote face a moderate fine or, if they fail to vote in at least four elections, they can lose the right to vote for 10 years. Non-voters also face difficulties getting a job in the public sector.

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Australia: Non-attendees face fines of AU$20-AU$50 and possible imprisonment if they refuse to pay their fines.

 

Bolivia: In Bolivia the voter is given a card when he or she has voted so that he or she can proof the participation. The voter would not be able to receive his or her salary from a bank if he or she cannot show the proof of voting during three months after the election. 

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EFFECTS OF COMPULSORY VOTING

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Over 20 countries worldwide have compulsory voting. For example, Australia's turnout rate is consistently well above countries that do not have compulsory voting. Around the world, countries with compulsory voting have relatively high turnout levels, especially where penalties for abstention are harsh and routinely enforced.

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