Why is voting compulsory in commonwealth countries?

The Answer is hardly a moral one, but rather a political move. The UK government could have included EU citizens which already have the possibility to vote for the council and European elections. read more

Voting is only compulsory in some Commonwealth countries. Specifically it’s compulsory and enforced as compulsory in Nauru, Singapore and Australia (yes, yes, I know, “it’s only compulsory to get your name marked off the roll and put a ballot paper in the ballot box in Australia”). read more

Compulsory voting is increasingly resented by citizens in some countries such as Brazil, the largest country where compulsory voting is enforced: at the last presidential election in 2014, some 30 million voters, about 21% of registered voters, did not vote, despite the fact that Brazil has some of the most severe penalties enforced against non voters. read more

Given the strength of arguments on both sides, political consensus on compulsory voting is difficult to achieve. But for voluntary voting proponents, shifting the status quo will also be difficult. In its 2004 report, the JSCEM recommended a future inquiry into compulsory and voluntary voting. 12 years on, there is no sign of change. read more