{"id":351449,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/how-u-s-elections-work\/the-compulsory-voting-debate.html"},"modified":"2024-02-21T13:55:04","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T18:55:04","slug":"the-compulsory-voting-debate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/how-u-s-elections-work\/the-compulsory-voting-debate.html","title":{"rendered":"The Compulsory Voting Debate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Compulsory Voting Debate<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Compulsory voting might seem strange to Americans, where voting is a right but not a legal duty or obligation. But there are arguments in favor of making voting compulsory, as well as arguments against it.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The United States has never come close to establishing compulsory voting. Georgia’s state constitution contained a clause penalizing non-voters<\/a>, but it’s no longer effective. Kansas City passed a law penalizing non-voters by imposing extra taxes, but the Missouri Supreme Court struck it down.<\/p>\r\n

Both sides of the compulsory voting debate have several reasons why they think it is or isn’t a good idea. This article explains the concept of compulsory voting. It then discusses commonly offered pros and cons of such a policy, starting with the pros.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Compulsory Voting?<\/h2>\r\n

Compulsory voting, as the name suggests, is a state or nation requiring all eligible voters to cast a ballot on election day. In countries that use compulsory voting, voters who don’t cast a ballot may face legal sanctions<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Belgium was the first country to institute compulsory voting in 1892. Soon after, Argentina and Australia instituted mandatory voting laws. Brazil currently practices compulsory voting, although they exempt the following non-voters from legal consequences:<\/p>\r\n