Compulsory Voting For A Representative Democracy - 2013 Words

Voting compulsion can very simply be defined as the process of electoral participation being law binding. However, the process and fundamentals of compulsory voting are not as simple. Twomey, in her article Compulsory Voting In A Representative Democracy: Choice, Compulsion, And The Maximization Of Participation In Australian Elections describes compulsory voting to stand â€Å"†¦ at the intersection between the principles of maximum participation of the people in elections and the expression of genuine choice.† Within this essay, I critique compulsory voting to show that it is a contradiction to basic civil liberty, it will be straining in terms of cost to enforce, and that random voting is most likely to distort results and with it the validity of our governmental system. I show this through the analyzation of several scholarly works in contrast to the arguments of critics who ensure that compulsory voting is for the greater good of society. However, this essay will ref ute this point by addressing the downfalls to this system and how these downfalls cannot be overlooked simply because of turnout. While people or individuals who are part of a democratic system may have the responsibility to vote, compulsory voting isn t necessarily justifiable under a democracy. This is not to say that only countries that are democratic practice voting compulsion-take Egypt and Singapore for example. However, the right to vote, a privilege within the western world, is also a primary counterShow MoreRelatedCompulsory Voting: Moral Issues and Necessities in A Democratic Nation1686 Words   |  7 PagesCompulsory Voting: Moral Issues and Necessities in A Democratic Nation Compulsory voting as defined by Merriam Webster is a system in which electors are obligated to vote in elections, or be subject to punitive measures such as fines or community service if violated. It is a system of voting that has been implemented successfully in over 30 countries, and has seen the increase in voting turnout on average of 20%. When compulsory voting was abandoned turnout after a period of mandatory votingRead MoreInfluence of Compulsory Voting1626 Words   |  7 PagesThe Idea of Compulsory Voting After Australia, Singapore, and Switzerland implemented compulsory voting and the turnout of voters grew, other democratic countries began wondering if the idea should be implemented globally. Research began on how this implementation affected countries with compulsory voting in place and how it would affect other countries such as Canada (Twomey, 2013). The idea that Canada, or another similarly democratic country, should pass a policy of compulsory voting would be againstRead MoreGiven The Increasing Decline In Turnout For Elections,1477 Words   |  6 Pageswhether a compulsory system of voting should be introduced in the UK and other advanced democracies. Proponents of compulsory voting would argue that voting is a civic duty, similar to paying tax or serving on a jury. They would also contend that it would lead to increased political participation and engagement and that parliament would become more truly representative and considerate of the whole electorate. Opponents, on th e other hand, would mainly argue that making voting compulsory would be anRead MoreLiterature Review : Compulsory Voting1605 Words   |  7 PagesLiterature Review: Compulsory Voting The American people and government pride themselves on the freedom of choice; the freedom to pursue life goals, happiness, and religion without fear. This ability was even written into the American Constitution as the First Amendment, giving the public the ability to voice opinions and express religious ideas without interference from the government. One of the liberties encompassed in the Constitution is the freedom to choose who to elect into power, givingRead MoreThe Issue Of Compulsory Voting1214 Words   |  5 PagesIn 2001, Gareth Thomas, a Labour MP for Harrow West for the past 18 years introduced a Private Members’ Bill for compulsory voting. However it did not progress beyond its first reading. Yet the question has not died out and whether the UK should follow the likes of Australia and Belgium still remains a hotly debated issue. The UK prides itself in being a leading force for democracy worldwide. It is thought to have become truly democratic in 1918 with the passing of the Representation of the PeoplesRead MoreUnited States Election Project Headed By Dr. Michael Mcdonald At University Of Florida961 Words   |  4 Pages it was the lowest overall turnout since World War II which occurred 70 years ago. Mid-term elections are congressional elections that occur halfway through the president’s term. Congressional ballots are held every two years and all House of Representative seats are contested as well as one-third of Senate seats. Most state legislature and governor elections(about thirty six out of fifty states) occur the same day(M.D.). These elections have the ability to change the way America is governed. ForRead MoreCompulsory Voting Vs. Mandatory Voting976 Words   |  4 Pagesmake a choice, are you still making that choice? Compulsory voting, or mandatory voting, is a system in which electors are required to vote in elections or at least attend a polling place on Election Day. If a voter does not appear at a polling place, and is eligible to vote, he or she may have to contribute community service or fines. This voting system exists in about a quarter of all democracies in the world. The core goals of compulsory voting are to increase voter turnout and to have an electionRead MoreVoluntary And Compulsory Voting Systems2125 Words   |  9 Pages Voluntary and Compulsory Voting Systems: The Affect on Democracy Across the globe day after day, nations have been progressively attempting to improve the political systems in which they inhabit, the most prominent political system currently standing as democracy. But what exactly constitutes as democracy? Democracy is a term holding a spectrum of meanings, many frequently overlapping. In its simplest, most basic form, democracy is referred to â€Å"rule of the people.† Being the broad term it isRead MoreVoting Is The Most Influential Tool874 Words   |  4 Pagesthe poles and it isn t a coincidence. voting is the backbone of democracy and yet voter turn out has been declining since the 1960 s, several factors effect the number of votes such as the feeling that our votes don t really count, the loss of the American dream and not being prioritized s a voter. Voting is the most influential tool we have as citizens of the united states to make changes to our country, it is how we choose our local representatives, all the way up to the president. In 2014Read MoreIs Voter Turnout Not A Single Citizen?3733 Words   |  15 Pagesparticipate in a democracy, that democracy would cease to exist. The very idea of a democracy is the notion that the people are in power and, therefore, will participate. Nevertheless, the trends of American voters in recent years have revealed that turnout is at a low point. According to Thomas Cavanagh, since the peek of electoral participation in post war 1960, voter-turnout has continually been on the decline (53). In other words, people just aren’t participating in the voting process as they