An Introduction to Compulsory VotingErica MauterORLD 6300 – Strategic Communication

compulsory |kəmˈpəlsərē|

required by law or a rule; obligatoryinvolving or exercising compulsion; coercive

Seriously, why?The Benefits of Compulsory Voting

Compulsory Voting

Increased Civic

Participation

Better Governme

nt

Better Government

Eliminate voter access issues

Policy must appeal to the entire electorate

Legitimacy

Civic dutyArticle 29 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Right = Something someone has and chooses to use“just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society”

Income

Compulsory Voting in Australia – Australian Electoral CommissionRetrieved from: http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/publications/voting/index.htm

Who even does that?The Effects of Compulsory Voting Law in Other Countries

Where in the World

31 countries (as of 2009)

Australia

Switzerland (only 1 canton), Belgium*, Netherlands*, Luxembourg, Austria*

Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Chile

Enforcement

Explanation

Fine

Possible imprisonment (no documented cases)

Infringement of civil rights or disenfranchisement

Social sanctions

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – Compulsory VotingRetrieved from: http://www.idea.int/vt/compulsory_voting.cfm

Other Countries’ Turnout

Country Turnout*(reg’d voters)

Turnout*(voting age pop.)

Voting Age Pop. at last election

Australia (Parliamentary)

94.73% 82.81% 16,208,479

Brazil (Presidential)

82.13% 79.54% 137,925,708

Argentina (Presidential)

79.42% 78.00% 29,678,579

Ecuador (Presidential)

73.12% 73.51% 8,763,905

Peru (Presidential)

82.48% 73.71% 19,106,922

Chile (Presidential)

89.98% 72.50% 12,180,403

United States (Presidential)

84.08% 57.87% 233,087,000

United States (Parliamentary)

61.26% 44.86% 235,809,266International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – Voter TurnoutRetrieved from: http://www.idea.int/vt/

*average over last 30 years

Like, how?Compulsory Voting is Possible in Minnesota

Minnesota Voter Registration

Be at least 18 years old on election day

Be a citizen of the United States

Have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding Election Day

Have any felony conviction record discharged, expired, or completed

Not be under court-ordered guardianship where a court has revoked your voting rights

Not have been ruled legally incompetent by a court of law

AGE

CITIZENSHIP

RESIDENCY

COMPETENCY

CRIMINAL RECORD

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State: Registering to VoteRetrieved from: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204

Culture of Civic Engagement

Sense of community

Perceived ability to improve community

Volunteerism

Voter turnout

Civic Engagement – Overview – Minnesota CompassRetrieved from: http://www.mncompass.org/civicengagement/index.php#.UIGI7Gl27cZ

ReferencesNew Oxford American Dictionary

Compulsory Voting in Australia – Australian Electoral CommissionRetrieved from: http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/publications/voting/index.htm

Civic Engagement – Overview – Minnesota CompassRetrieved from: http://www.mncompass.org/civicengagement/index.php#.UIGI7Gl27cZ

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – Compulsory Voting

Retrieved from: http://www.idea.int/vt/compulsory_voting.cfm

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – Voter Turnout

Retrieved from: http://www.idea.int/vt/

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State: Registering to VoteRetrieved from: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204