DEBATES

THIS HOUSE WOULD MAKE VOTING COMPULSORY

In many countries around the world individuals are free to choose to vote or not to vote, while in other countries (Australia, a couple cantons in Switzerland, Belgium and Singapore , for example) it is compulsory for citizens to vote. Punishment for non-voting can vary from a $15 fine to the possible deprivation of government services or the freezing of one's bank account. Is this a violation of an individual’s freedom of choice? With the citizens of many countries fighting for their right to vote, is it right that US voting turnout hovers around 50 – 60%of registered voters ¹? Should voting be seen as a duty or a right? This debate explores whether compulsory voting improves voter participation, increases voter awareness on key political issues, and reduces the powers of special interest groups.
1. US Census Bureau.

Compulsory voting broadens representation of disadvantaged groups

It will cause more people to become interested in politics

Compulsory voting has been implemented successfully.

It will reduce the power of special interest groups

VOTING RESULTS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

‘CO4.2: Participation rates of first-time voters’ OECD (2005), accessed 26/05/2011
‘Voter Turnout for Referendums and Elections 1901 – Present’ Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) (2009), accessed 26/05/2011
‘Voting as a civic duty’ IPPR (2006), (accessed 27/05/2011)
‘Voting within Australia – Frequently Asked Questions’, Australian Electoral Commission, updated 21 December 2010, (accessed 4/8/11)
‘Compulsory voting: time to think again’ Liberal Democrat Voice (2006) 9 (accessed 26/05/2011)
Evans, Tim, ‘Compulsory voting in Australia’, Australian Electoral Commission, (January 2006), (accessed 4/8/11)
Harrison, Brianna, and Lynch, Philip. Votes for the Homeless, (March 2003), (accessed 4/8/11)
William Galston, ‘Mandatory Voting Would Loosen Partisan Gridlock’ US News and World Report, July 8^th 2010
Arend Lijphart, ‘Unequal Participation: Democracy’s Unresolved Dilemma’, in American Political Science Review1997 , Volume 91 p1-14
M Mackerrassa and Ian McAllister, ‘Compulsory voting, party stability and electoral advantage in Australia’Electoral Studies, 1999, Volume 18, Issue 2, p217-233
Ira M. Sheskin and Arnold Dashefsky, “Jewish Population of the United States, 2006,” in the American Jewish Year Book 2006, Volume 106, David Singer and Lawrence Grossman, Editors. NY: American Jewish Committee, 2006.
Peter Tucker, The median Australian voter and the values that influence their vote choice presented by the author at the 3rd European Consortium for Political Research Conference in Budapest, September 10, 2005.
Mark Weber, Feb. 2009, ‘A Straight Look at the Jewish Lobby’, Institute for Historical Review: (Accessed 10/06/2011)

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Friday, November 23, 2012