Mandatory Voting Flashcards
A1: increased participation
There is arguably a participation crisis in Uk politics, which has only been strengthened by the 59% turnout in the 2024 election,
Since the introduction in 1924, Australia has not had lower than 89% turnout, election beforein 1922, 58%
Can also spoil ballot so does not force you to vote for a set of parties which individual does not feel represents them
Belgium
1890; 64%, 1894 introduced and reached 82%
Since 1999 turnout ranges from 87-90%
B1: contradicts freedom
Is forcing votes a violation to the freedom to abstain? It is impossible to tell how much of absntaijing is apathy or laziness compared to actual logical and rational choice as a party either does not reflect it or it being a form of participation in itself, a protest against the system.
The reason for dissatisfaction is not fixed, it is simply covered up, is that even less legitimate?
2A: more legitimacy
Since 1918 only 2 elections (1931 and 1935) have resulted in a vote share over 50%, so that is not exactly consent to be governed. Making it mandatory and hopefully increasing turnout means that although they may not actively support the party, they are still having a choice in the lesser the evil they wish to consent to being governed by, arguably preventing elected dictatorships
2B: volatlitly by those uninterested
For the section of abstainers that are simply apathetic and uninterested in politics, they are unlikely to use rational choice theory, so policy will not necessarily be more representative, valence or social media campaign strategies may create quick surges in votes using good rhetoric, rather than making policies which non voters are appealed to.
3A: social justice
The voter turnout in 2024 among the 30 least deprived areas in UK was 70%, amongst the most, 40%. Therefore parties can adopt policies more favourable to the least deprived areas, as they will lose less votes from the most deprived, therefore making poor areas less favourable of govt, less likely to vote creating a cycle.
Mandatory voting will make sure that each citizen no matter their class or ethnicity holds the govt to account on the issues within their interest.
3B: forcing engagement in those disenfranchised can create support for anti establishment parties
The engaged but distrustful portion of non-voters likely already have anti establishment beliefs, and perhaps do not vote due to the belief that the 2 party system means the CON or LAB party will win anyway, effectively meaning change is impossible.
Being forced to vote, they have nothing to lose by voting for a more radical party (in the eyes of the general populace) so it could give a rise to what the media describe as extremist parties such as Reform UK
19% (most common answers) of reform 2024 voters said that they did so to get Labour out, if non voters were forced to, would they sympathise and relate to this reasoning, and 11% (3rd most common) said it was for a cuanhe in politics
