Table of ContentsArguments for Compulsory VotingArguments Against Compulsory VotingConsequences of Compulsory VotingExperience in AustraliaCompulsory Voting: Considerations for CanadaWorks CitedVoting is one of the most essential principles of democratic government . Participating in an election is arguably the most important citizenship right in democratic countries. Despite its importance, countries around the world are experiencing declining voter turnout. In Canada, turnout in federal general elections has declined since 1993 and it is likely that turnout rates will continue to decline. There are a number of theories as to why people don't vote. Apathy, cynicism, and negative attitudes toward politicians and the electoral process combine with sociodemographic factors such as youth, low education, and low income to explain a person's decision not to vote. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay A number of ideas for increasing voter turnout have been generated. Some believe that minor measures such as large-scale advertising campaigns and scheduling elections on weekends rather than weekdays could increase voter turnout. Others suggest using technology as a method to help citizens fulfill their electoral responsibilities. In contrast to these minor measures, countries like Australia and Belgium have combatted the problem of low voter turnout by implementing laws requiring citizens to vote. Countries that impose compulsory voting generally have much higher turnout than countries without compulsory voting laws, although critics are quick to note that some countries without compulsory laws, such as New Zealand, have also remarkable levels of voter turnout. This article deals with compulsory voting. It examines the arguments for and against compulsory voting and considers the experience of countries that have implemented compulsory voting, focusing on Australia. Arguments in favor of compulsory voting For some, the justification for compulsory voting is simple. Just like paying taxes, voting is a civic responsibility. Only full participation can guarantee the legitimacy of the chosen government. Political scientist Arend Lijphart goes so far as to assert: A political system with universal voting rights but with only a tiny fraction of citizens exercising this right should be considered a democracy in simply the very formalist and hollow sense of the term. And, in practice, a government elected in such a formalistic and democratic manner cannot have much democratic legitimacy. For most proponents of compulsory voting, the dominant argument in favor of compulsory voting laws is high and relatively equal voter turnout. Proponents argue that decisions made by democratically elected governments are more legitimate when a larger number of the population participated in the election of that government. There are other important arguments in favor of compulsory voting. Some believe that increased voter turnout could spur greater participation and interest in other political activities. Additionally, it requires citizens to be educated and creates at least a minimal level of political interest. Compulsory voting is also believed to reduce the role of money in politics. The reason is that when everyone is required to vote, political parties do not need to spendcampaign to encourage people to vote. The focus can then shift from focusing on “getting out the vote” to the issues and choices presented to the voter. Implementing compulsory voting is also believed to discourage offensive advertisements. This type of exposure works “primarily by selectively depressing turnout among those who are unlikely to vote for the attacker.” When almost everyone votes, attack tactics lose most of their appeal.” Eliminating offensive ads could serve to eliminate some of the distrust and cynicism they cause. Mandatory voting is also seen as providing another important benefit to both society and individuals. This helps protect oneself from marginalization. Since the likelihood of voting increases with age, education, and income, it is suggested that "actual voters are not a representative sample but a biased sample of all eligible voters, biased toward privileged members of the population." Company ". In Australia, political scientist Lisa Hill also notes that compulsory voting achieves equality of political opportunity. Its rationale is that in Australia every effort is made to ensure that all barriers normally faced by those who choose not to vote are removed. As a result, voting is much easier for everyone and equal opportunities are available to everyone. She explains: “Because of the secret ballot, election officials cannot force people to mark their ballot. The vote itself therefore does not seem obligatory; on the contrary, it is registration and presence at a polling station that are truly obligatory. In this way, it is the opportunity to participate rather than participation itself that is actively sought. » Arguments against compulsory voting The main argument against compulsory voting is that it is not consistent with the freedom associated with democracy because it infringes on a person's right not to vote. Opponents of coercion agree that voting is a valuable right and an important democratic principle, but "to meaningfully talk about the right to vote, one must also allow the right to abstain from voting." Although voting may be compulsory, it is not possible to force someone to have preferences or opinions. Thus, claims to legitimacy based on high vote totals can be rejected since the votes were, in a sense, forced. Furthermore, others wonder how the participation of the “ignorant and indifferent” can improve electoral results? Other arguments claim that politics in general suffers if citizens are forced to vote. It is claimed that in Australia, political parties and MPs are becoming lazy. The party organization becomes less responsive and, as a result, disaffection grows among party members. Critics suggest that compulsory voting in Australia was successful in getting people to the polls, but it did not resolve the sense of alienation people feel from political parties. The costs of maintaining a compulsory voting system are also cited as an argument against maintaining a compulsory voting system. compulsory voting system. The cost of mobilizing the Australian vote and enforcing electoral law in federal elections is disputed, but one report puts the cost on average at around $5 (Australian) per vote. However, it should be noted that the supporting evidence is "both incomplete and largely anecdotal." Consequences of compulsory voting The most important consequence of compulsory voting is the increased proportion of invalid votes. Australia has one of thehighest rates of invalid votes among established liberal democracies. Invalid ballots are also a problem in Belgium: in the 1995 elections, almost 16% of voters chose not to vote or to cancel their ballots. Invalid ballots can, however, play a useful role. In a compulsory voting system, casting an invalid ballot may become an additional electoral option – a vote for none of the above. Although a non-voter may be dismissed for complacency or apathy, a spoiled ballot in a mandatory system could "serve as an indicator that the concerns of a growing segment of the public are not being addressed by politicians." ". In addition to a high number of invalid votes, there may also be a higher number of random or “donkey” votes. That is, voters who check off a candidate at random (often the first candidate on the ballot). Compulsory voting is also linked to party advantage. For example, "high turnout rates are thought to favor left-wing parties, since their supporters generally have lower socioeconomic status, leading to a reduced likelihood of voting." Furthermore, right-wing parties are thought to benefit from voluntary voting, since it is their voters – those who generally have a higher socio-economic status – who are more likely to turn out to vote. A final consequence of compulsory voting is a high rate of voters. level of stability of the party. Australia has one of the highest levels of partisan identification in the world in the sense that voters have not rejected the major parties by abstaining or switching parties from one election to the next. While other countries such as the United States and Britain have seen their associations with political parties decline sharply, Australia has generally been immune to this phenomenon since "compulsory voting ensures that voters vote and the act of voting means that they are forced to think.” , even superficially, on the main parties. »Experience in AustraliaEvery Australian citizen over the age of 18 is required by law to vote. Compulsory voting was first adopted in Queensland in 1915. At the federal level, it was introduced in 1924 as a private member's bill. Before compulsory voting was introduced, voter turnout peaked at 78.1% in 1917. The last federal election before compulsory voting took place in 1922 and saw turnout drop to 57.9%. Since 1945, voter turnout in Australia has almost always exceeded 90%. A number of steps have been taken to make voting easier in Australia. For example, Election Day is always a Saturday. Voters who are out of their precinct but still in their home state or territory can vote absentee at any polling place in their home state or territory. Those outside their state or territory can vote by mail or vote before the election at a pre-election voting center. Additionally, the Australian Electoral Commission is organizing mobile voting in hospitals, retirement homes, prisons and in remote areas. One of the reasons Australia enjoys such high voter turnout is that “voting is so easy…not voting is much more painful than voting.” It's much easier to go to one of the many conveniently located polling stations before heading to the shops than to find an excuse not to do so. » If a person does not vote, the Australian Electoral Commission will send a letter addressed to the non-voter asking them to explain whyhe did not vote and offering the recipient the option to pay a fine of $20 (Australian) in order to end the broadcast. If the recipient chooses to write a letter and their reasons prove to be "valid and sufficient", no penalty is applicable. Indifference to candidates is not a reason to abstain from voting, and Australian courts have rigorously defended this decision. The court can impose a fine of up to $50 on a person if there are insufficient reasons to vote. If a person found guilty and fined by the court decides not to pay the fine, then it is up to the court to decide whether action should be taken or whether an additional penalty should be imposed. Any additional action taken by the court is for non-payment of the fine and not for failure to vote. Less than one per cent of the Australian electorate faces a fine or appearance in court in any given election period. In general, Australians appear to support compulsory voting, although this is not without its critics. A survey conducted in 1996 found that 74% of respondents supported compulsory voting. It is worth noting that in 1997 the Standing Joint Committee on Electoral Matters recommended that if Australia wished to consider itself a "mature democracy", the provisions of the Electoral Act providing for compulsory voting should be repealed. The commission refuted the argument that the legitimacy of Australia's election results would be undermined by voluntary voting "given that virtually all other democracies in the world operate without coercion". Despite an increase in abstention, less than a quarter of one percent of abstainers are prosecuted. This could be due, in part, to the fact that “the justice system is already overburdened and gives little priority to prosecuting non-voters. The chances of a non-voter having to appear in court are extremely low, while the fines are rather small anyway. citizens to vote. There are several ways to do this. Independent legislation outlining the obligation to vote could be introduced, with details and a comprehensive regime. Alternatively, amendments to the Canada Elections Act could be introduced. This seems to be the most sensible way to establish a compulsory voting law. If one wishes to emphasize the importance of voting as a civic duty, it might also be desirable to amend the Criminal Code to include the proposed sanction against those who do not vote. This requirement could also be written into the constitution, as is the case. in Belgium. For Canada, this would not be the most effective solution for two reasons. First, unless this law applied to provincial elections as well as federal elections, the Constitution would not be the appropriate place. Second, given the difficulties associated with constitutional amendments, there are much more appropriate ways to introduce such legislation. Simply enacting a compulsory voting system may not guarantee high voter turnout, and it may be necessary to impose sanctions on those who do not obey. the law. Typically, countries where voting is compulsory, such as Australia, impose fines on those who do not vote. Other countries deny government services or benefits to nonvoters. For example, a voter in Peru must carry a stamped voter card for several months after the election as proof of having voted. Without this label, it may be difficult to obtain services from certain public offices. Although a sanction is recommended to guarantee the,.