Misplaced Pages

Compulsory voting: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 02:18, 19 January 2005 edit203.164.184.185 (talk) →Countries with compulsory voting: Add Turkey← Previous edit Revision as of 20:34, 23 January 2005 edit undoPhilthecow (talk | contribs)2,391 editsm tweaking, removed GcheckNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
] ]
{{gcheck}}


'''Compulsory voting''' is a practice that requires citizens to ] in ], obliging them to attend the polling place. If a person does not vote they can face punishments such as fines. '''Compulsory voting''' is a practice that requires citizens to ] in ]; if a person does not vote they can face punishments such as fines.


==Arguments in favour of compulsory voting== ==Arguments in favour of compulsory voting==
Line 56: Line 55:
In ] (Aotearoa) eligible voter registration is compulsory but voting is voluntary. In ] (Aotearoa) eligible voter registration is compulsory but voting is voluntary.


In some countries in which voting is compulsory, penalties for not voting are not stringently enforced. Such is the case in ] and ] (though in Argentina, this has somewhat to do with an inability to enforce). In ], fines can be avoided with an explanation, citing extenuating circumstances or religious prohibition. In any case, the fine is generally minimal and not excessive (less than a speeding ticket). In some countries in which voting is compulsory, penalties for not voting are not stringently enforced. Such is the case in ] and ] (though in Argentina, this has somewhat to do with an inability to enforce). In ], fines can be avoided with an explanation, citing extenuating circumstances or religious prohibition. In any case, the fine is generally minimal, less even than a speeding ticket.


==Compulsory voting in non-democracies== ==Compulsory voting in non-democracies==

Revision as of 20:34, 23 January 2005


Compulsory voting is a practice that requires citizens to vote in elections; if a person does not vote they can face punishments such as fines.

Arguments in favour of compulsory voting

There are a number of reasons why countries decide to make voting mandatory.

The most important is that compulsory voting ensures that the government does indeed represent the will of the whole population, not merely the sections of the population that decide to express their opinions. This ensures that governments cannot neglect sections of society that are less politically active.

It is also argued that voting is a "civic duty" in the same way that paying taxes is - it is important for the continued functioning of the nation. People have to pay taxes for the good of society, and people should have to vote for the same reason.

The increased voter turnout reduces the cost of campaigning, therefore reducing the influence of those who donate money to political parties.

Declining voter turnout in much of the western world has led to an increasing interest in compulsory voting to overcome the apathy of the electorate. Apathy presents a real danger to democracy, and governmental instability may result. It has been said that the Holocaust happened because of the apathy of the international community. This, albeit an extreme comparison, shows how inactivity can lead to tragedy.

In Australia, the initial reasons for instituting compulsory voting were because of the immense loses suffered during World War I. Since 60,000 Australians had died in the First World War defending freedom, it was argued that Australians had a duty to use the freedoms so dearly bought. Voter turnout has not dropped below 94% since the general election in 1955 (when it was about 88%).

Arguments against compulsory voting

Most countries do not have compulsory voting laws, and there are many who object to them.

Many people resent the idea of being "forced" to vote, especially those who have no interest in politics (though their lives are essentially determined by it) and/or no knowledge about it. Moreover, they might not even have a real preference for any candidate. Some, especially libertarians, argue that compulsory voting is a violation of personal liberties - people should be free to decide for themselves.

Recently, political commentators have suggested that compulsory voting may skew the focus of a campaign towards swing voters, with candidates and political-parties trying to win the votes of the undecided instead of motivating their "base" supporters to the polls.

Countries with compulsory voting

Countries that have some form of compulsory voting include:

Countries that have ended compulsory voting include Austria and the Netherlands.

In New Zealand (Aotearoa) eligible voter registration is compulsory but voting is voluntary.

In some countries in which voting is compulsory, penalties for not voting are not stringently enforced. Such is the case in Australia and Argentina (though in Argentina, this has somewhat to do with an inability to enforce). In Australia, fines can be avoided with an explanation, citing extenuating circumstances or religious prohibition. In any case, the fine is generally minimal, less even than a speeding ticket.

Compulsory voting in non-democracies

Compulsory voting is common in states that try to create the illusion of democracy while not actually being representative. Nations like Saddam Hussein's Iraq or the communist regimes of Eastern Europe would hold elections and plebiscites and mandate voting by the populace. These states would normally advertise near 100% turnout in these elections.

See also

External link

Administration and Cost of Elections Project paper on compulsory voting considerations

Category:
Compulsory voting: Difference between revisions Add topic