Why voting should be mandatory
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Independent analysis of both the “Brexit” and Thai referendums show that, amid comparatively low turnouts, the winning majority constituted only 34 per cent of registered voters. This means that two out of three voters did not actively support the outcome
The same judgement, of course, would apply to all elections that do not embrace compulsory voting.
I would suggest the reason for this unsatisfactory outcome is that each individual is aware that whether or not they take the trouble of going to the booth to vote will not affect the final result whatsoever, particularly if polls claim “certain” victory for one side or the other.
Conversely, any voter who feels passionately about the subject would be sure to vote, especially if opinion polls are hostile to their position. Therefore, particularly with Brexit, where polls show that many people now regret not having voted, it seems that the “ will of the people” might not have been achieved, despite enormous trouble and expense.
In Australia the government claims that compulsory voting results in much higher turnouts, up to 94 per cent, which would certainly lead to more satisfactory results. The mandatory vote is enforced by fines and community service for transgressors. Surely, that’s a small price to pay in order to achieve more authentic results!
Tony Ash
