What Is Compulsory Voting?

As you might suspect, compulsory voting can significantly affect voter turnout, especially in some categories of the electorate. Making voting mandatory tends to bring out demographic groups often under-represented in voluntary votes.

This often includes:

• Younger citizens
• Lower-income citizens
• Those who otherwise wouldn't take part in the political process

Compulsory voting can force politicians to hear the voices of these groups just like they do the voices of those who like to take part in elections.

According to Pew Research, voter turnout in countries with compulsory voting results in higher turnout.

The figures below show the percentage of registered voters who voted in the most recent elections:

1. Australia: 90.98%
2. Belgium: 89.37%
3. Denmark: 85.89%
4. Sweden: 85.81%
5. Netherlands: 81.93%

Not surprisingly, voter turnout sharply declines in countries that abandon compulsory voting. For example, Chile abandoned mandatory voting in 2013. Voter turnout that year was less than half of what it was in 2010.

Is It a Crime Not to Vote in Compulsory Voting Countries?

In some countries, not voting is a crime. But, the penalty for not going to the polls is nominal. Most countries with compulsory voting laws have minor penalties or none at all.

Unenforced Compulsory Voting

Many countries pride themselves on having compulsory voting. But many don't enforce the voting laws.

Some of the countries that don't legally prosecute eligible voters for abstaining from voting in national elections include:

• Bolivia
• Bulgaria
• Costa Rica
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dominican Republic
• Egypt
• Gabon
• Greece
• Honduras
• Italy
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Mexico
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Thailand

Some of these countries maintain "innocuous sanctions" against non-voters. This includes informal social scorn that causes merchants and service providers to refuse business with non-voters.

Enforced Compulsory Voting

There are a handful of countries that enforce their compulsory voting laws. Some allow citizens to decline their vote via a formal request. Others don't penalize voters who cast a blank ballot. Still, others make exceptions for people of a certain age or with disabilities.

Countries that enforce compulsory voting include:

• Argentina law demands that non-voters give a reasonable explanation for not voting. That person may be subject to a nominal fine of less than a dollar.
• Australia enacted compulsory voting in 1924. Ironically, the law requires Australians to go to their local polling place. But once there, they can decline to vote. Citizens who don't go to the polling place may face a $14-34 fine. If they don't pay that fine, they can face jail time.
• Belgium has the world's oldest mandatory voting system since 1924. Citizens over 18 get a small fine if they don't vote. They may face jail time if they fail to vote in four or more elections.
• Brazil law says that voting is voluntary for citizens between 16 and 18. It is also voluntary for those over 70 and people who can't read. Everyone else must vote or face a small fine.
• Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Nauru, Uruguay, and Turkey need an explanation for not voting on election day. They impose a small fine if the reason is not reasonable.
• North Korea's federal elections only offer voters one candidate to choose. Abstaining or casting a dissenting vote is treason.
• Peru levies a small fine for those who fail to vote. Peruvians must carry a stamped voting card for months following elections to prove they voted. Without that stamp, citizens can't get goods and services from public offices.
• Singapore's laws state that the government will remove non-voters from the country's voter register until they reapply and offer a reason for not voting. If the excuse is unreasonable, the citizen must pay a fee to return to the register. The Singapore government bars non-voters from running as candidates in a presidential or parliamentary election.
• Switzerland requires voting only in the Canton of Schaffhausen. Citizens are subject to a fine of 3 Swiss Franks ($6.59) for non-compliance.

Some countries offer exemptions to their compulsory voting laws. These include illness, military duty, or religious reasons.

Compulsory Voting in the United States

The United States has yet to establish compulsory voting laws. In the 18th century, Georgia and Virginia had laws imposing fines for not voting, but they do not appear to have enforced these laws. North Dakota (in 1898) and Massachusetts (in 1918) amended their constitutions to allow for compulsory voting, but neither state ever passed such a law.

That doesn't mean the topic doesn't still come up here. A policy in Ohio that purges non-voters from voter rolls was the subject of a U.S. Supreme Court case.

Many prominent North American leaders have spoken in favor of some form of compulsory voting. Former U.S. President Barack Obama said it would encourage non-voters and minorities to make their presence felt at the polls. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a similar argument.

In many other countries, compulsory voting remains an ongoing topic of debate. Cyprus abandoned its mandatory voting law in 2017. Learn more about some of the main pros and cons of compulsory voting.

Talk To a Voting Rights Lawyer for More Information

If you're confused about your voting rights and duties, contact an experienced voting rights lawyer. They can answer any questions you may have. They can also help if you think someone has violated your civil rights.