Exploring Compulsory Voting

Exploring Compulsory Voting

In many countries around the world individuals can choose to vote, or

not to vote. In some countries such as Australia, Switzerland and

Singapore it is compulsory to vote in elections. The proposition in

this debate must advocate some sort of punishment as an enforcement

mechanism - a fine equivalent to about 100 US dollars is the norm, the

withdrawal of certain government services or benefits or the naming

and shaming of non-voters. In some countries a no-vote box is

available on the ballot paper, which can be crossed by those who do

not wish to vote for any of the candidates standing. Compulsory voting

imposes a mandatory duty upon all individuals to take part in

elections. Recently the influential political scientist Arend Lijhart

has advocated extending the compulsory vote to Britain, where there is

growing evidence of political apathy and low voter turnout.

Politicians are beginning to take these problems seriously, it has

been queried whether the compulsory vote would help defeat the problem

of voting apathy, as experienced in 1997 where in the general election

there was a turnout of 71% of citizens casting their vote. It has

therefore been suggested that a debate should take place over this

query.

In all democracies around the world voter apathy is highest among the

poorest and most excluded sectors of society. Since they do not vote

the political parties do not create policies for their needs, which

leads to a vicious circle of increasing isolation. By making the most

disenfranchised vote, the major political parties are forced to take

notice of them. An example of this is in the UK where the ...

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... population decided not to vote it would be impossible to make every

non-voter pay the fine. If just 10% of the UK voters failed to do so

the government would have to chase up about four million fines. Even

if they sent demand letters to all these people, they could not take

all those who refused to pay to court. Ironically, this measure hurts

most those who the propositions are trying to enfranchise because they

are least able to pay. Altogether though, any people don't vote

because they are busy and cannot take the time off. Making voting

compulsory will not get these people to the ballot box if they are

actually unable to do so. There is no point in pressurising citizens

to vote as it will cause random results in the election and would be

unfair to those who are voting particularly for one party for a valid

reason.