Mandatory Voting In Canada

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Recommended: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

What principles and ideals lie at the heart of a free democratic society? Canadians take pride in their country’s values of tolerance, inclusion, and respect, and over Canada’s guaranteed freedom of expression, including the right to vote (Thevenard & Orend, 2015). In democratic Canada, “all eligible citizens have the right to participate, either directly or indirectly, in making the decisions that affect them” ("Democracy Defined"). Voting, in essence, ensures all citizens receive an equal opportunity to express their views by selecting and supporting a political party of their choice. Such an approach provides freedom of expression for all eligible citizens, allowing for the political party with the most votes to take over the ruling. Why …show more content…

Specifically, all citizens receive entitlement to conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication, peaceful assembly, and association ("Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982"). Compulsory voting takes away from those fundamental rights by forcing individuals to express an opinion or make a choice they may not necessarily agree with conscience-wise. In other cases, they may not even wish to concern themselves with politics due to lack of time, lack of interest, or simply, lack of political concern. Mandatory voting, though seemingly innocent and reasonable at first glance, goes on to violate democratic freedom, encourage voter apathy, and spark insincere voting, especially amongst uninformed …show more content…

Voting represents a right. Under a democratic system, citizens have the right to vote and make decisions. Compulsion, on the other hand, exemplifies something entirely different – a duty. Perhaps there are those who may argue that voting should be a duty rather than a right. Regardless, however, the word right is included in the very definition of democracy. Taking away the right not to vote takes away from the very meaning of democracy and everything the Canadian society stands for. Why should someone be forced to vote when they do not wish to? Maybe they are not interested, maybe they just do not care, or maybe they wish to leave the decision up to people who have done their research and understand politics better. In order for voting to remain a right, it must not be motivated by

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