What if voting were mandatory?
This election season has produced a mother lode of innovative get-out-the-vote campaigns. Advocates of mandatory voting argue it’s a sensible way to ensure that elections reflect the will of all of the people. Concerned that voter turnout had dipped below 60 percent, parliament enacted mandatory voting after only 90 minutes of debate, and it’s gone largely unchallenged ever since. Frank Devine, a journalist, wrote an editorial in the Weekend Australian the day before this month’s elections, proclaiming that “with some misgivings, I have decided not to vote tomorrow.” Devine pointed out that parking fines in Australia can be 10 times higher than the fine for not voting. If anything, mandatory voting has reinforced straight party-line voting, since reluctant voters find it easier to align themselves with one party or another and get the whole business done with as quickly as possible.
Discover Related
Immigrants in Australia confused by voting rules
A record number of Australians enroll to vote in referendum on Indigenous Voice
Australians to vote in a referendum on Indigenous Voice to Parliament on October 14
The federal election result shows a shift in Australian politics, Antony Green says
EXPLAINER: How does Australia’s election process work?
Vote Compass shows Australians are worried about corruption in politics
California’s universal voting by mail becomes permanent
SSM: Australians challenge voluntary voting warnings with latest same-sex survey result
Young Australians are engaged in political issues, but unsure how democracy works
Voting not a fundamental duty, can’t be made compulsory: Centre to SC
Nasim Zaidi says compulsory voting regime not feasible in India due to huge population
In Donald Trump, US elites face consequences of their own attitudes
US election: How does voting in America compare to Australia?
US election tactics: Getting voters out, or to stay home
Bring voting into the 21st century
Gujarat to introduce compulsory voting in local body polls: CM |IndiaTV News
Would Automatic Voter Registration Increase Turnout?
Gujarat gets it wrong: Compulsory voting is patronising and undemocratic