Participation in Politics: Is Compulsory Voting the Answer to Low Voter Turnout?
Every few years, the concept of compulsory or mandatory voting appears on United States politicians’ radar as a solution to increasing voter turnout. Following the 2014 midterm elections, when only 33.9 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, President Obama threatened to make voting compulsory via an executive order (DelReal). This announcement by the president brought the idea to the forefront of American politics once again, and constitutional scholars quickly responded, claiming compulsory voting laws violate the rights of United States citizens (von Spakovsky). Creating laws that force citizens to the polls on election day, and subsequently punishing violators of the laws, is not a viable solution to increasing voter participation. Creative alternatives, such as electronic voting, changing the voting day, and education could increase voter participation without infringing on the constitutional rights of citizens.
According to Constitutional scholars, the concept of compulsory voting is a direct violation of United States citizens’ 1st Amendment rights. Constitutional scholars are extremely vocal …show more content…
Australian statistics show an alarming number of wasted votes. “Citizens simply fill out ballots with no idea of whom or what they are voting for” (Beck). “Australian citizens must register and show up--they can deface their ballot or write in Skippy the Bush Kangaroo--or do nothing at all” (Weiner). However, there are no repercussions for filling out ballots incorrectly, or at random, making compulsory voting less than effective in terms of quality votes. “Australia has a much higher rate of ‘spoiled ballots’ that are filled out incorrectly and then disqualified, and ‘donkey ballots’, named because apathetic voters play pin the tail on the donkey at the polling station, randomly making their choices”
Every few years, the concept of compulsory or mandatory voting appears on United States politicians’ radar as a solution to increasing voter turnout. Following the 2014 midterm elections, when only 33.9 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, President Obama threatened to make voting compulsory via an executive order (DelReal). This announcement by the president brought the idea to the forefront of American politics once again, and constitutional scholars quickly responded, claiming compulsory voting laws violate the rights of United States citizens (von Spakovsky). Creating laws that force citizens to the polls on election day, and subsequently punishing violators of the laws, is not a viable solution to increasing voter participation. Creative alternatives, such as electronic voting, changing the voting day, and education could increase voter participation without infringing on the constitutional rights of citizens.
According to Constitutional scholars, the concept of compulsory voting is a direct violation of United States citizens’ 1st Amendment rights. Constitutional scholars are extremely vocal …show more content…
Australian statistics show an alarming number of wasted votes. “Citizens simply fill out ballots with no idea of whom or what they are voting for” (Beck). “Australian citizens must register and show up--they can deface their ballot or write in Skippy the Bush Kangaroo--or do nothing at all” (Weiner). However, there are no repercussions for filling out ballots incorrectly, or at random, making compulsory voting less than effective in terms of quality votes. “Australia has a much higher rate of ‘spoiled ballots’ that are filled out incorrectly and then disqualified, and ‘donkey ballots’, named because apathetic voters play pin the tail on the donkey at the polling station, randomly making their choices”