View source for Compulsory voting

{{Short description|Practice of requiring all eligible citizens to register and vote in elections}}
{{voting}}
'''Compulsory voting''', also called '''universal civic duty voting''' or '''mandatory voting''', is the requirement that registered voters participate in an election. As of January 2023, 21 countries have compulsory voting laws.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/suffrage The World Factbook – Field Listing: Suffrage].</ref> Law enforcement in those countries varies considerably, and the penalty for not casting a ballot without a proper justification ranges from severe to non-existent.

== History ==
===Antiquity===
[[Athenian democracy]] held that it was every Athenian citizen's duty to participate in decision-making, but attendance at the assembly was voluntary. Sometimes there was some form of social [[wiktionary:opprobrium|opprobrium]] to those not participating, particularly if they were engaging in other public activity at the time of the assembly. For example, [[Aristophanes]]'s comedy ''[[Acharnians]]'' 17–22, in the 5th century BC, shows public slaves herding citizens from the [[agora]] into the assembly meeting place (''[[Pnyx]]'') with a red-stained rope. Those with red on their clothes were fined.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NWO2BQAAQBAJ&q=malkopoulou|title=The History of Compulsory Voting in Europe: Democracy's Duty?|first=Anthoula|last=Malkopoulou|date=5 December 2014|publisher=Routledge|access-date= 28 March 2018|via=Google Books|isbn=978-1-317-69333-8}}</ref> This usually happens if fewer than 6,000 people were in attendance, and more were needed for the assembly to continue.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NWO2BQAAQBAJ&q=malkopoulou Ibid.] pp.49–52</ref>

In the [[Roman Republic]], the legitimacy of the form of government known as ''[[res publica]],'' which entrusted the powers of sovereignty to an elected aristocracy, was most evident in the Roman right to ''[[Suffrage|suffragium]]''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Elections in the late Roman Republic: how did they work? |url=https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/elections-in-the-late-roman-republic-how-did-they-work/ |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=HistoryExtra |language=en}}</ref> [[Cicero]] argues that the right to vote provided [[Roman citizenship|Roman citizens]] with a certain degree of [[Public participation (decision making)|political participation]], thereby guaranteeing their ''de facto'' ownership of their property, which they could administer as they wished. In practice, voting was conducted only in Rome, either in the [[Campus Martius]] or in the [[Roman Forum|Forum]], and not many citizens would have been able to afford the journey or take time off to vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=This Is How the Romans Voted in the Roman Republic |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/how-romans-voted-in-roman-republic-120890 |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=ThoughtCo |language=en}}</ref> In addition, contrary to Greek custom, there was no economic compensation for voting; however, Cicero mentions an election that could not continue because of particularly low [[voter turnout]], requiring a temporary [[Conscription|draft]] to be implemented, though it is unclear if this was an exceptional case.<ref name=":3" />

===Modern era===
From the 19th century onward a relatively small number of democracies have introduced compulsory voting at one time or another. From 1862 to 1998, compulsory voting was enacted in 20 democracies, most of which were in Western Europe or Latin America.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Meguid |first1=Bonnie M. |last2=Helmke |first2=Gretchen |date=2007 |title=Endogenous Institutions: The Origins of Compulsory Voting Laws |language=en |s2cid=10665132}}</ref> [[Belgium]] has the oldest extant compulsory voting system which was introduced in 1893 for men,<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=1010372|title=Compulsory Voting in Belgium|first=A.|last=Nerincx|date=28 March 2018|journal=The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science|volume=18|issue=2|pages=87–90|doi=10.1177/000271620101800204|s2cid=144588223}}</ref> and in 1948 for women.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The achievement of female suffrage in Europe: on women's citizenship|first=R.|last=Rubio-Marin|date=1 January 2014|journal=International Journal of Constitutional Law|volume=12|issue=1|pages=4–34|doi=10.1093/icon/mot067|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Compulsory voting for national elections was introduced in Australia in 1924, with states and territories passing their own compulsory voting laws at various times.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/voting/index.htm |title=Compulsory voting in Australia |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=23 December 2019}}</ref> Voluntary voting in Australia before 1924 accounted between 47% and 78% turnout of eligible voters. Following the introduction of compulsory federal voting in 1924 this figure increased to between 91% and 96%,<ref>{{cite web |title=Who voted in previous referendums and elections |url=http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/Australian_Electoral_History/Voter_Turnout.htm#fn |access-date=28 March 2018 |website=Australian Electoral Commission}}</ref> with only 5% of eligible voters accounted as not enrolled.<ref>{{cite web|title=2016 federal election Key facts and figures|url=http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/Federal_Elections/2016/key-facts.htm|access-date=28 March 2018|website=Australian Electoral Commission}}</ref> The Netherlands and Venezuela are among several countries that have moved from compulsory to voluntary voting, in 1967 and 1993 respectively.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Compulsory Voting – International IDEA |url=https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/voter-turnout/compulsory-voting |access-date=2019-05-05 |website=www.idea.int}}< Turnout in the Netherlands decreased from 95% to around 80%.<nowiki><ref></nowiki>{{Cite web |title=Netherlands {{!}} International IDEA |url=https://www.idea.int/data-tools/country-view/227/40 |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=www.idea.int}}</ref> Venezuela saw turnout drop from 82% to 61% in 1993 once compulsion was removed.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Venezuela {{!}} International IDEA |url=https://www.idea.int/data-tools/country-view/300/40 |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=www.idea.int}}</ref>

==Arguments for==

=== Capture voter preferences ===
A system with higher turnout helps make the electorate more [[Representative democracy|representative]] and [[voter suppression]] more difficult. This major step towards the universal democratic principle of "[[One man, one vote|one person, one vote]]" strengthens democracies and aligns the choices of its politicians with the preferences of its citizens. Since lower-turnout races are not [[Random samples|randomized samples]] of an electorate (unlike a [[citizens' assembly]]), they distort the wishes and power of the electorate.

=== Civil responsibility ===
Supporters argue the democratic election of governing representatives is a citizen's responsibility as opposed to a right.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/voting/files/compulsory-voting.pdf |title=Compulsory Voting in Australia |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |last=Evans |first=Tim |date=16 January 2006 |access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref> Equating in kind to similar civil responsibilities such as [[tax]]ation, [[jury duty]], [[compulsory education]] or [[military service]], voting in these democracies is regarded as one of the "duties to community" mentioned in the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights|United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/voting/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217024646/http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/voting/index.htm|title=Compulsory voting in Australia|archive-date=February 17, 2011|website=Australian Electoral Commission}}</ref> This view asserts that, by introducing an obligation to vote, all citizens governed by a democracy partake in the responsibility for the government appointed by democratic election.

=== Improve candidate choices ===
[[Monash University]] political scientist [[Waleed Aly]] argues that whether compulsory voting favors the right or the left is beside the point, because the most beneficial aspect of compulsory voting is that it will improve the caliber of individuals who run for office and the quality of the decisions that they make. In his words, "In a compulsory election, it does not pay to energize your base to the exclusion of all other voters. Since elections cannot be determined by turnout, they are decided by swing voters and won in the center... That is one reason Australia's version of the far right lacks anything like the power of its European or American counterparts. Australia has had some bad governments, but it hasn't had any truly extreme ones and it isn't nearly as vulnerable to [[demagogue]]s."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Aly|first=Waleed|date=2017-01-19|title=Voting Should Be Mandatory|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/opinion/voting-should-be-mandatory.html|access-date=2017-01-20|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== Mild penalties provide big boosts in turnout ===
Penalties only need to be modest to boost turnout and achieve the goal of attaining a much more [[One person, one vote|representative electorate]], especially since the public and the courts usually insist on a seamless voting process for places with mandatory voting laws.<ref name=":62">{{Cite book |last1=Dionne |first1=E. J. Jr. |title=100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting |last2=Rapoport |first2=Miles |others=Cornell William Brooks, Allegra Chapman, Joshua A. Douglas, Amber Herrle, Cecily Hines, Janai Nelson, Brenda Wright, Heather C. McGhee |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-62097-677-7 |publisher=The New Press |location=New York |oclc=1252962012}}</ref>

=== Paradox of voting ===
Supporters of compulsory voting also argue that voting addresses the [[paradox of voting]], which is that for a rational, self-interested voter, the costs of voting will normally exceed the expected benefits. The paradox disproportionately affects the socially disadvantaged, for whom the costs of voting tend to be greater.{{fact|date=October 2025}} Australian academic and supporter of compulsory voting, [[Lisa Hill (political scientist)|Lisa Hill]], has argued that a [[prisoner's dilemma]] situation arises under voluntary systems for marginalized citizens: it seems rational for them to abstain from voting, under the assumption that others in their situation are also doing so, to conserve their limited resources. However, since these are people who have a pronounced need for representation, this decision is irrational. Hill argues that the introduction of compulsory voting removes this dilemma.<ref>Hill, L 2002 'On the reasonableness of compelling citizens to 'vote': The Australian case', Political Studies, vol. 50, no. 1, pp.88–89</ref>

=== Political legitimacy ===
The idea that compulsory voting results in a higher degree of [[Legitimacy (political)|political legitimacy]] is based on higher [[voter turnout]] and the more representative electorate that brings.<ref>Levine, Jonathan [http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/the-case-compulsory-voting-7691 The Case for Compulsory Voting], ''[[The National Interest]]'' 2 November 2012</ref>

=== Protect against demagogues ===
High levels of participation decreases the risk of political instability created by crises or charismatic but sectionally focused demagogues.<ref name="lijph">Lijphart, Arend (1997) [http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/13n5q9qx "Unequal Participation: Democracy's Unresolved Dilemma"], ''The American Political Science Review'' 91(1): 8–11, (Subscription required for full access.)</ref>

=== Reduce income inequality ===
A 2005 [[Inter-American Development Bank]] working paper purported to show that there was a correlation between compulsory voting, when enforced strictly, and improved income distribution, as measured by the [[Gini coefficient]] and the bottom income quintiles of the population.<ref>Chong, Alberto and Olivera, Mauricio, [http://www.iadb.org/en/research-and-data/publication-details,3169.html?pub_id=wp-533 "On Compulsory Voting and Income Inequality in a Cross-Section of Countries"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106090247/http://www.iadb.org/en/research-and-data/publication-details,3169.html?pub_id=wp-533 |date=2014-01-06 }}, Inter-American Development Bank Working Paper, May 2005.</ref> A 2011 [[Conference Board of Canada]] study on [[International inequality|world income inequality]] – also relying on the Gini index – shows that income inequality is lowest in the Scandinavian countries, where compulsory voting has never existed, while Australia, and to a lesser extent Belgium, which strictly enforce their compulsory voting legislation, have a higher income inequality level than a number of other Western countries, such as Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, where compulsory voting does not exist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/hot-topics/worldInequality.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Hot Topic: World Income Inequality – Is the world becoming more unequal?|publisher=Conference Board of Canada|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925154617/http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/hot-topics/worldInequality.aspx|archive-date=2011-09-25|access-date=2025-03-05}}</ref>

=== Remove voting restrictions ===
Supporters of compulsory voting also argue that just as the [[secret ballot]] is designed to prevent interference with the votes actually cast, compelling voters to the polls for an election removes interference with accessing a polling place, reducing the impact that external factors such as the weather, transport, or restrictive employers might have. If everybody must vote, restrictions on voting are identified and steps are taken to remove them. This notion is especially reinforced when both men and women are required to vote and further sustained by diligent enforcement of laws requiring registration of all eligible voters (deemed adult and without exclusion of any significant community within the population). A growing voter preference towards [[Early voting|pre-polling]] such as [[Postal voting|vote by mail]] can make participation easier, where the voter can fulfil their obligation more at their own convenience prior to polling day, rather than trying to arrange release from their responsibilities on the nominated date of polling.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reader |first=Nathaniel |title=Why more and more Australians are voting before election day |date=5 February 2015 |url=http://theconversation.com/why-more-and-more-australians-are-voting-before-election-day-37159 |access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref>

=== Stimulate political interest and education ===
Other perceived advantages to compulsory voting are the stimulation of broader interest politics, as a sort of civil education and political stimulation, which creates a better informed population.<ref name=":62"/> For example, since far fewer campaign funds are needed to convince people to vote, they can be directed towards discussing proposed policies with a wider range of voters.<ref name=":62"/> Australian senator [[Herbert Payne]], whose 1924 [[private member's bill]] introduced compulsory voting in Australia, believed compulsory voting was necessary to counteract "apathy and indolence" among voters and would bring "a wonderful improvement in the political knowledge of the people".<ref name="bio">{{Cite Au Senate|Sen id=payne-herbert-james-mockford|name=PAYNE, Herbert James Mockford (1866–1944)|first=Michael|last=Roe|year=2004|access-date=2023-01-10 |ref=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Judith|last=Brett|author-link=Judith Brett|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=06ODDwAAQBAJ|title=From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage: How Australia Got Compulsory Voting|publisher=Text Publishing|year=2019|isbn=978-1-925603-84-2|page=136}}</ref>

==Arguments against==

=== Regressive taxation ===
Concerns about fines landing harder on the poorest citizens can lead to reforms to ensure penalties are mild for the poorest citizens and that voting is accessible and seamless for all to help assure concerned voters that mandatory voting will not become a [[regressive tax]].<ref name=":62"/> The impact of these fines can be mitigated by making sure they do not compound over time, are [[Day-fine|weighted based on income]], and by providing an option to perform [[community service]] in lieu of payment.<ref name=":62"/>

=== Compelled speech ===
Another concern expressed about compulsory voting is that it would compel speech, which violates [[freedom of speech]] which includes the freedom ''not'' to speak.<ref>Note, ''The Case for Compulsory Voting in the United States'', 121 Harv. L. Rev. 591, 601–603 (2007). Harvard is one of several law schools at which students may submit articles for publication in the school's [[law review]] but only anonymously in the form of "Notes" (with a capital "N").</ref> Former Australian opposition leader [[Mark Latham]] urged Australians to lodge blank votes for the 2010 election. He stated the government should not force citizens to vote or threaten them with a fine.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 August 2010 |title=Latham at Large |url=http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/7944020/latham-at-large  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306032335/http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/7944020/latham-at-large |archive-date=6 March 2012 |access-date=2011-10-04 |publisher=[[Nine Network|Channel Nine]]}}</ref> At the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 federal election]], considering the threat of a non-voting fine of up to A$20,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Eldridge |first1=Stacey |last2=2022 – 12:05&nbsp;pm |date=2022-05-20 |title=Revealed: The fine for failing to vote in the election |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/federal-election/australians-warned-of-20-fine-for-failing-to-vote-in-this-years-federal-election/news-story/ec396d78daa36d7039a347e13eed7ed1 |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=skynews |language=en}}</ref> there was a turnout of 92%,<ref>{{cite web |title=Turnout by State |url=http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseTurnoutByState-17496.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018062613/http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseTurnoutByState-17496.htm |archive-date=18 October 2015 |access-date=28 March 2018 |publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]]}}</ref> of whom 6% lodged either informal or blank ballot papers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Informal Votes by State |url=http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseInformalByState-17496.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914010104/http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseInformalByState-17496.htm |archive-date=14 September 2016 |access-date=28 March 2018 |publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]]}}</ref> Systems in democratic countries, which have a secret ballot, allow for blank ballots, but voting systems could also add a 'none of the above' option to each race so as to provide multiple clear ways for voters to refrain from speaking/voting if, for some reason, a voter does not want to submit a partially or fully blank ballot.<ref name=":62"/>

=== Religious objections ===
Religious objection is one that many [[Christadelphians]] and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], for example, cite as for why they should not participate in political events. As a result, many countries allow religious beliefs as a valid excuse for not going to the polls.<ref name=":62"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Maintain Political Neutrality? |url=https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/political-neutrality/}}</ref>

=== Civil liberties ===
[[American libertarians]] in particular debate to what extent voting is a civic duty and not just a civic right. Even in the case of the US where most Americans see voting as a civic duty, most Americans in a 2020 poll did not like the idea of imposing a US$20 fine on those who did not cite an excuse for not voting including a conscientious objection.<ref name=":62"/>

=== Vote buying ===
One perceived downside to compulsory voting is that by coercing politically apathetic people to vote in elections, they are vulnerable to manipulation through vote buying.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Brusco |first1=Valeria |last2=Nazareno |first2=Marcelo |last3=Stokes |first3=Susan C. |date=2004 |title=Vote Buying in Argentina |journal=Latin American Research Review |volume=39 |issue=2 |pages=66–88 |doi=10.1353/lar.2004.0022 |jstor=1555401 |s2cid=154003297 |issn=0023-8791}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-22 |title=Could compulsory voting save democracies in crisis? |url=https://qz.com/1920978/does-compulsory-voting-hurt-or-benefit-democracy |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=Quartz |language=en}}</ref>

== Impact ==
A 2015 study of a Swiss canton where compulsory voting was enforced found that compulsory voting significantly increased electoral support for leftist policy positions in referendums by up to 20 percentage points.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Does Compulsory Voting Increase Support for Leftist Policy?|journal = American Journal of Political Science|date = 2015-10-01|issn = 1540-5907|pages = 752–767|doi = 10.1111/ajps.12224|first1 = Michael M.|last1 = Bechtel|first2 = Dominik|last2 = Hangartner|first3 = Lukas|last3 = Schmid|volume=60|issue = 3|url = http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/68646/1/Hangartner_Compulsory%20voting_2016.pdf}}</ref> A 2008 study found that the effects of universal turnout in the United States would likely be small in national elections, but that universal turnout could matter in close elections, such as the presidential elections of [[2000 United States presidential election|2000]] and [[2004 United States presidential election|2004]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title = If Everyone Had Voted, Would Bubba and Dubya Have Won?|journal = Presidential Studies Quarterly|date = 2008-09-01|issn = 1741-5705|pages = 521–539|volume = 38|issue = 3|doi = 10.1111/j.1741-5705.2008.02659.x|author1-link=John M. Sides|first1 = John|last1 = Sides|first2 = Eric|last2 = Schickler|first3 = Jack|last3 = Citrin|author-link3=Jack Citrin|citeseerx = 10.1.1.489.5858}}</ref> In the United States, [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] would most likely fare better under universal voting, as nonvoters are generally more Democratic, but due to the rarity of close [[elections in the United States]], universal voting would change "very few election outcomes".<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Citrin|first1=Jack|last2=Schickler|first2=Eric|last3=Sides|first3=John|date=2003-01-01|title=What if Everyone Voted? Simulating the Impact of Increased Turnout in Senate Elections|journal=American Journal of Political Science|language=en|volume=47|issue=1|pages=75–90|doi=10.1111/1540-5907.00006|issn=1540-5907|citeseerx=10.1.1.591.3016}}</ref> 

2011 research on compulsory voting in Australia found that it increased the vote shares and seat shares of the [[Australian Labor Party]] by 7 to 10 percentage points and led to greater pension spending at the national level.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Electoral and Policy Consequences of Voter Turnout: Evidence from Compulsory Voting in Australia|ssrn = 1816649|date = 2011-04-23|doi = 10.2139/ssrn.1816649|first = Anthony|last = Fowler Electronic Journal|s2cid = 967975}}</ref> While weakly enforced compulsory voting in Austria increased overall turnout by roughly 10 percentage points, there is "no evidence that this change in turnout affected government spending patterns (in levels or composition) or electoral outcomes."<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Hoffman|first1=Mitchell|last2=León|first2=Gianmarco|last3=Lombardi|first3=María|title=Compulsory voting, turnout, and government spending: Evidence from Austria|journal=Journal of Public Economics|doi=10.1016/j.jpubeco.2016.10.002|volume=145|pages=103–115|date=January 2017|s2cid=145033670|url=http://www.nber.org/papers/w22221.pdf}}</ref> 

A 2016 study found that compulsory voting reduces the gender gap in electoral engagement in several ways.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Córdova|first1=Abby|last2=Rangel|first2=Gabriela|date=2016-06-20|title=Addressing the Gender Gap The Effect of Compulsory Voting on Women's Electoral Engagement|journal=Comparative Political Studies|volume=50|issue=2|language=en|pages=264–290|doi=10.1177/0010414016655537|s2cid=156881765|issn=0010-4140}}</ref> A 2016 study of the Netherlands found that the abolition of compulsory voting increased the vote share of Dutch social democratic parties while reducing the vote share of "minor and extreme parties".<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Miller|first1=Peter|last2=Dassonneville|first2=Ruth|date=2016-12-01|title=High turnout in the Low Countries: Partisan effects of the abolition of compulsory voting in the Netherlands|journal=Electoral Studies|volume=44|pages=132–143|doi=10.1016/j.electstud.2016.07.009}}</ref> 2016 research suggests that higher rates of voter turnout lead to higher top tax rates.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://epub.ub.uni-muenchen.de/29636/|title=Turning Out for Redistribution: The Effect of Voter Turnout on Top Marginal Tax Rates.|publisher=Universitätsbibliothek der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München|doi=10.5282/ubm/epub.29636|last1=Sabet|first1=Navid|year=2016|s2cid=15974685 }}</ref> A 2024 study found that compulsory voting can reduce political polarization and push political parties towards the preferences of the median voter by eliminating the ability of extremist partisans to threaten to abstain from voting, which pressures parties to adopt policies to appease those voters.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Oprea |first1=Alexandra |last2=Martin |first2=Lucy |last3=Brennan |first3=Geoffrey H. |date=2024 |title=Moving toward the Median: Compulsory Voting and Political Polarization |journal=American Political Science Review |volume=118 |issue=4 |pages=1951–1965 |language=en |doi=10.1017/S0003055423001399 |issn=0003-0554|doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Public opinion ==
According to a 1997 paper by [[Malcolm Mackerras]] and [[Ian McAllister (political scientist)|Ian McAllister]], in Australia "polls taken over the years have consistently shown a community support of between 60 and 70 per cent" for compulsory voting. In 2005, polls taken by [[Roy Morgan Research]] and [[Ipsos|Ipsos-Mackay]] found 71 and 74 percent support respectively. Both polls also found there was roughly equal support for compulsory voting among supporters of Australia's major political groups, the [[Coalition (Australia)|Liberal–National Coalition]] and the [[Australian Labor Party]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2005-10/apo-nid1410.pdf|title=Compulsory voting in Australian national elections|publisher=Department of Parliamentary Services|first=Scott|last=Bennett|date=31 October 2005|work=Research Brief|number=6|page=22}}</ref> In Belgium, which has had compulsory voting since 1893, support for the abolition of compulsory voting is in progression. Results from a 2016 public opinion poll showed that 49% of respondents were in favor of abolition (46% in Wallonia, 49% in Brussels, 51% in Flanders) with 10% having no opinion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.centreavec.be/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Obligation-de-voter.pdf|title=Obligation de voter: pratique infantilisante ou atout pour la démocratie?|publisher=Centre avec|date=November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304094242/https://www.centreavec.be/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Obligation-de-voter.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> In Canada, an e-consultation conducted in 2016 by the House of Commons' Special Committee on the Electoral Reform showed that 50.3% of the 22,247 respondents strongly disagreed or disagreed with the statement "Canadians should be required to cast a ballot in a federal election (this could include spoiling a ballot)", as opposed to 36.3% who strongly agreed or agreed.<ref> ''Chapter 5. Civics, Duties and Rights: Mandatory Voting'' [https://www.ourcommons.ca/documentviewer/en/42-1/erre/report-3/page-246] Report of the Special Committee on the Electoral Reform, December 2016.</ref>

==Current and past use by countries==
{{As of|2021|12}}, 21 countries were recorded as having compulsory voting.<ref name="World Factbook: Suffrage">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/suffrage|title=Suffrage – The World Factbook|website=www.cia.gov}}</ref> Of these, only 10 countries (additionally one [[Cantons of Switzerland|Swiss canton]]) enforce it. As of January 2020, of the 36 member states of the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD), only Australia had forms of compulsory voting which were enforced in practice. Voting in Belgium, Greece, Luxembourg, Mexico and Turkey is compulsory ''[[de jure]]'' but [[Unenforced law|not enforced]].
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Place
!Exempt
!Turnout
!Enforced?
!Penalized
!History
|-
|{{Flagicon|Argentina}} [[Elections in Argentina|Argentina]]
|Ages 16, 17, and anyone over 70. The judges and their assistants who must provide services on election day. Those who are more than 500&nbsp;km away on election day. Those who are sick or disabled due to force majeure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=¿Quienes están exentos de la obligación de votar? : Elecciones |url=https://www.mendoza.gov.ar/elecciones/quienes-estan-exentos-de-la-obligacion-de-votar/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=www.mendoza.gov.ar}}</ref>
|75%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Argentina |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/11/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|Introduced in 1912 with the [[Sáenz Peña Law]].<ref name="idea">{{cite web |date=21 August 2014 |title=Compulsory Voting |url=http://www.idea.int/vt/compulsory_voting.cfm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612191446/http://www.idea.int/vt/compulsory_voting.cfm |archive-date=12 June 2009 |access-date=19 September 2014 |publisher=[[International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance|IDEA]]}}</ref> Registered voters who abstain from voting without a verified justification, are liable to pay a fine. In case of non-payment, the person concerned is barred from dealing with public bodies for one year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cannataro |first=Micaela |date=26 October 2019 |title=Cuánto se paga de multa por no votar y cómo justificarlo |url=https://argentina.as.com/argentina/2019/10/26/tikitakas/1572083703_938174.html |access-date=22 July 2022 |work=Tikitakas |language=es}}</ref> Turnout peaked around 85% in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 October 2019 |title=Voto obligatorio en la Argentina: ¿podría ser optativo? |url=https://www.clarin.com/politica/voto-obligatorio-en-la-argentina-podria-ser-optativo-_0_I1OgyuQH.html |access-date=22 July 2022 |work=Clarín |language=es}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Electoral system of Australia|Australia]]
|Travel, illness, religious objection, seasonal workers, anyone without a fixed address, not registered to vote (but registration is compulsory)<ref name=":62"/>
|92%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Australia |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/14/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|1%<ref name=":62"/>
|Introduced for [[1915 Queensland state election|state elections]] in [[Queensland]] in 1915, excluding [[Indigenous Australians]]. [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] introduced compulsory voting in 1926, [[New South Wales]] and [[Tasmania]] in 1928, [[Western Australia]] in 1936 (excluding Indigenous Australians), and [[South Australia]] in 1942. It was introduced for federal elections in 1924 for [[British subjects]] aged 21 and in 1984 for [[Indigenous Australians]].<ref name="ReferenceA">''Commonwealth Electoral Act 1924''</ref> Enrollment and voting at federal elections was introduced for Indigenous Australians in 1949, but was voluntary until both enrollment and voting became compulsory in 1984 for all eligible electors.<ref name="AECPub">{{Cite web |date=20 November 2023 |title=Compulsory voting in Australia |url=https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/voting/index.htm |language=en-AU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222043229/https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/voting/index.htm |archive-date=2025-02-22 |access-date=28 February 2025 |website=AEC}}</ref> The compulsory voting age for federal elections was reduced to 18 in 1974.<ref name="idea" />

Australia has one of the highest electoral turnout rates in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Turnout by state |url=https://results.aec.gov.au/24310/Website/HouseTurnoutByState-24310.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104095830/https://results.aec.gov.au/24310/Website/HouseTurnoutByState-24310.htm |archive-date=2020-11-04 |access-date=28 October 2021 |website=AEC Tally Room}}</ref> Since the introduction of compulsory voting in 1924, the turnout at Australian elections has never fallen below 90%.<ref name="AECPub" />

For first-time offenders, a fine is issued for AU$20 with a maximum penalty of AU$180, which is regularly enforced.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-08-08 |title=What can happen if you don't vote in an election? |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-08/what-happens-when-you-dont-vote-in-a-federal-election/8786684 |access-date=2021-10-28}}</ref><br /> Voter registration, called ''enrolment'' in Australia, is also compulsory.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Belgium}} [[Elections in Belgium#Voters|Belgium]]
|Not registered to vote<ref name=":62"/>
|90%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Belgium |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/22/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-02 |title=Désintox. Belgique : les abstentionnistes doivent-ils payer une amende ? |url=https://www.franceinfo.fr/elections/departementales/desintox-belgique-les-abstentionnistes-doivent-ils-payer-une-amende_4687269.html |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Franceinfo |language=fr-FR}}</ref>
|
|Introduced in 1894.<ref>[http://www.senate.be/doc/const_nl.html#art62 &nbsp;Belgian constitution] (in Dutch)</ref> Every citizen and registered non-Belgian voter, from the age of 18 must cast a vote at federal, provincial, local and European parliament elections.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://elections.fgov.be/node/111505 | title=Le vote est-il obligatoire ? &#124; IBZ Elections }}</ref> Before 2003, fines from 40 to €80, and up to €200 for reoffenders were levied, but if they fail to vote in at least four elections, they can lose the right to vote for 10 years and non-voters also might face difficulties getting a job in the public sector. In reality, since 2003, offenders are almost never prosecuted.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/elections/departementales/desintox-belgique-les-abstentionnistes-doivent-ils-payer-une-amende_4687269.html | title=Désintox. Belgique: Les abstentionnistes doivent-ils payer une amende ? | date=2 July 2021 }}</ref> Penalties are immediate for absent appointed polling station staff.<ref>[http://www.demorgen.be/dm/nl/3625/De-Stemming/article/detail/878939/2009/06/06/Niet-stemmers-riskeren-geen-straf.dhtml Niet-stemmers riskeren geen straf] (in Dutch) De Morgen 06/06/2009</ref><ref>[http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/1502/Belgique/article/detail/1067652/2010/02/15/Vers-la-fin-du-vote-obligatoire.dhtml Vers la fin du vote obligatoire?] 7sur7.be. 15/02/2010.</ref><ref>[https://www.lesoir.be/226381/article/2019-05-24/elections-2019-risquez-vous-vraiment-des-sanctions-si-vous-nallez-pas-voter Élections 2019: risquez-vous vraiment des sanctions si vous n'allez pas voter?], Le Soir.be, 24 May 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 14, 2019 |title=Geen sanctie voor wie niet stemt |language=nl |newspaper=HLN Nieuws |url=https://www.hln.be/nieuws/binnenland/geen-sanctie-voor-wie-niet-stemt~adcc7525/}}</ref> The key [[Flemish Community]] parties on the right wish to abolish compulsory voting, and did so in the case of Flemish local elections, starting with the [[2024 Belgian local elections|2024 elections]]. In the [[French Community of Belgium]], parties on the left adamantly support compulsory voting while those on the right increasingly favor its abolition.<ref>[https://www.sudinfo.be/id149121/article/2019-10-30/la-fin-du-vote-obligatoire-dici-5-ans-les-partis-de-droite-y-sont-plutot La fin du vote obligatoire d'ici 5 ans? Les partis de droite y sont plutôt favorables alors que la gauche est farouchement contre!] SudInfo.be, 30 October 2019.</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Bolivia}} [[Elections in Bolivia|Bolivia]]
|Over 70, absent on Election Day, force majeure<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Compulsory Voting {{!}} International IDEA |url=https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/voter-turnout/compulsory-voting |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=www.idea.int}}</ref>
|92%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Bolivia |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/27/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|Since 1952. Voter are given a card after voting to prove participation. Otherwise they receive a fine and are unable to receive their salary from the bank if they cannot show proof of voting for the three months following the election.<ref name=":7" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Brazil}} [[Elections in Brazil|Brazil]]
|Ages 16, 17, and anyone over 70, those far away from home on election day (must be pre-approved) or cannot read<ref>{{cite journal |last=Power |first=Timothy J. |date=22 April 2009 |title=Compulsory for Whom? Mandatory Voting and Electoral Participation in Brazil, 1986–2006 |url=https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/jpla/article/viewArticle/23 |journal=Journal of Politics in Latin America |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=97–122 |doi=10.1177/1866802X0900100105 |access-date=28 March 2018 |via=hup.sub.uni-hamburg.de |doi-access=free |s2cid=55741272 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916015033/https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/jpla/article/view/23/|archive-date=16 September 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Madrigal |first=Alexis Gabriel |date=2017-07-05 |title=Voto no Brasil: democracia ou obrigatoriedade? |trans-title=Voting in Brazil: democracy or obligation? |url=https://alexismadrigal.jusbrasil.com.br/artigos/474890287/voto-no-brasil-democracia-ou-obrigatoriedade |website=Jusbrasil |language=pt |access-date=2020-02-02 |archive-date=2020-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202041807/https://alexismadrigal.jusbrasil.com.br/artigos/474890287/voto-no-brasil-democracia-ou-obrigatoriedade |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|80%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Brazil |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/31/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|Since 1932. Compulsory for all [[Brazilian citizens]], including Brazilians residing abroad. Those who do not vote in an election and do not later present an acceptable justification (such as being away from their voting location at the time) are subject to a fine of [[Brazilian real|R$]]3.51 (about [[United States dollar|US$]]0.65 in August 2020). Proof of voting compliance (by having voted, justified the absence or paid the fine) is required for some transactions such as obtaining a [[Brazilian passport]], admission to a public university, government employment, and loans from a government-owned bank.<ref>[https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/justica/noticia/2020-04/tse-aprova-reconhecimento-automatico-do-pagamento-de-multa-eleitoral TSE approves automatic recognition of payment of electoral fine], Agência Brasil, 2 April 2020. {{in lang|pt}}</ref><ref>[http://g1.globo.com/ma/maranhao/eleicoes/2016/noticia/2016/09/saiba-o-que-pode-acontecer-com-quem-deixa-de-votar-e-nao-justifica.html Know what may happen to whoever fails to vote and does not justify it], G1, 16 September 2016. {{in lang|pt}}</ref> 56% of Brazilians were against the policy in a 2020 study.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mann |first=Richard |date=2020-12-28 |title=Datafolha: Majority of Brazilians Oppose Compulsory Voting |url=https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/brazil/datafolha-majority-of-brazilians-oppose-compulsory-voting/ |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=The Rio Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Chile}} [[Elections in Chile|Chile]]
|Health incompatibility, being over 200&nbsp;km away from voting poll and any justification accepted by local courthouse.
|TBD
|
|
|In 2012, an amendment of the [[Chilean Constitution of 1980]] eliminated the obligation to vote (and the up to $200 fines that discouraged many low-income citizens from registering)<ref name=":62"/> and established automatic registration for all citizens (Law 20,568).<ref name="auto" /> In 2022 mandatory voting was reintroduced while automatic registration into the voting registry was kept.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 December 2022 |title=Chile's congress reintroduces mandatory voting |url=https://www.latercera.com/politica/noticia/se-repone-voto-obligatorio-congreso-aprueba-reforma-que-dejara-atras-el-sufragio-voluntario-a-10-anos-de-su-implementacion/BG47J7ZH6ZGQTODHYCYVAJ5I6E/ |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=latercera.com}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Costa Rica}} [[Elections in Costa Rica|Costa Rica]]
|
|63%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Costa Rica |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/53/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=19 December 2017 |title=Costa Rica's elections 2018: a primer |url=https://ticotimes.net/2017/12/18/costa-ricas-elections-2018-primer |website=The Tico Times Costa Rica}}</ref><ref name=":62"/>
|
|Absenteeism was consistently around 20 percent until the 1990s, when it jumped to nearly 30 percent.<ref name=":4" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Ecuador}} [[Elections in Ecuador|Ecuador]]
|Ages 16, 17, and anyone over 65 or who cannot read
|82%<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Ecuador |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/64/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|Introduced in 1936.<ref name="idea" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Egypt}} [[Elections in Egypt|Egypt]]
|
|33%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Egypt |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/65/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No
|
|Egyptian law provides for a fine and even a jail sentence for those who do not vote, but in practice the law is not applied, and turnouts are low, such as 47.5% at the [[2014 Egyptian presidential election|2014 presidential election]], then down to 28.3% at the [[2015 Egyptian parliamentary election|parliamentary election the following year]].
|-
|{{Flagicon|Fiji}} [[Elections in Fiji|Fiji]]
|
|~70%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Fiji |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/73/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No
|
|Not enforced starting in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/onairhighlights/fiji-to-drop-compulsory-voting-lower-age-for-2014|title=Fiji to drop compulsory voting, lower age for 2014|date=15 February 2012|publisher=ABC Radio Australia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924111959/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/onairhighlights/fiji-to-drop-compulsory-voting-lower-age-for-2014|archive-date=24 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Greece}} [[Elections in Greece|Greece]]
|Over 70
|~60%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Greece (look at the last 2–3 parliamentary elections) |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/85/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No<ref>{{Cite web |title=European Election Database – Parliamentary elections in Greece |url=https://nsd.no/european_election_database/country/greece/parliamentary_elections.html |website=nsd.no}}</ref><ref name=":62"/>
|
|There used to be punishments such as not being able to issue a passport, driving license and occupational license. These sanctions were lifted in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Compulsory Voting {{!}} International IDEA |url=https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/voter-turnout/compulsory-voting |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=www.idea.int}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Honduras}} [[Elections in Honduras|Honduras]]
|
|58%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Honduras |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/97/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No<ref name=":62"/>
|
|While the [[Constitution of Honduras]] says voting is compulsory, the Electoral Code does not mention penalties for not voting.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last1=Maldonado |first1=Arturo |date=24 November 2015 |title=The Origins and Consequences of Compulsory Voting in Latin America |url=https://etd.library.vanderbilt.edu/available/etd-11202015-184530/unrestricted/Maldonado.pdf}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Liechtenstein}} [[Elections in Liechtenstein|Liechtenstein]]
|
|78%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Liechtenstein |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/124/ |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|The Act on the Exercise of Political Rights in National Affairs (1973) states that "Participation in elections and votes is a compulsory civic duty"<ref>{{cite journal |date=23 November 1973 |title=Act of 17 July 1973 on the Exercise of Political Rights in National Affairs (Democratic Rights, VRG) |url=https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7852/file/Liechtenstein_act_exercise_political_rights_national_affairs_1973_am2012_en.pdf |journal=Liechtenstein State Law Gazette |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029033253/https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7852/file/Liechtenstein_act_exercise_political_rights_national_affairs_1973_am2012_en.pdf |archive-date=2021-10-29 |number=50}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> with fines issued for those who do not qualify for an exemption.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Luxembourg}} [[Elections in Luxembourg|Luxembourg]]
|Under 18 or over 75, live abroad
|90%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Luxembourg |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/126/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=2024-05-23 |title=Is voting in Luxembourg really compulsory? |url=https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/is-voting-in-luxembourg-really-compulsory/1257834.html |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=Luxembourg Times}}</ref>
|
|Compulsory for [[Luxembourg citizenship|Luxembourg citizens]] aged between 18 and 75 who live in Luxembourg. Foreign nationals (in local elections for all foreigners and [[Elections to the European Parliament|European elections]] for European citizens only) may register to vote if resident in Luxembourg, with the previous five-year residency requirement lifted in 2023. Enrolment for foreign nationals on the electoral roll is a free choice, not a requirement; however, once an eligible foreign national has registered to vote, then voting becomes compulsory for them. Penalties for not voting range from €100-250 for a first offence to up to €1000 for a repeat offence.<ref>Loi électorale du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg</ref> However, no fines have been imposed since 1963.<ref name=":10" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Mexico}} [[Elections in Mexico|Mexico]]
|
|54%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Mexico |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/140/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No<ref name=":62"/>
|
|The [[Constitution of Mexico]] mentions that voting is a citizen's obligation (Art. 36), but the Electoral Code does not establish penalties for not voting.<ref name="auto" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Nauru}} [[Elections in Nauru|Nauru]]
|
|90%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Nauru |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/150/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|Introduced in 1965 when it was still an [[History of Nauru|Australian possession]].<ref name="idea" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|DPRK}} [[Elections in North Korea|North Korea]]
|
|99%
|Yes
|
|Everyone over age 17 is required to vote. However, only one candidate from the ruling [[Workers' Party of Korea]] or its partners in the [[Democratic Front for the Reunification of Korea]] appears on the ballot. Voting is designed to track who is and is not in the country (including who may have [[North Korean defectors|defected]]). Dissenting votes are possible but are considered acts of treason that can have consequences for someone and their family since ballots are not secret.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 May 2014 |title=The Economist explains: How North Korea's elections work |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/03/economist-explains-2 |access-date=6 May 2015}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-07-19 |title=North Korea elections: What is decided and how? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33584638 |access-date=2023-01-14}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Paraguay}} [[Elections in Paraguay|Paraguay]]
|Over 75<ref name=":62"/>
|65%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Paraguay |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/169/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No<ref name=":62"/>
|
|Citizens between 18 and 75 years old. Turnout at the [[2013 Paraguayan general election|2013 general elections]] was 68.5%, then went down to 61.2% at the [[2018 Paraguayan general election|2018 election]].
|-
|{{Flagicon|Peru}} [[Elections in Peru|Peru]]
|Over 70<ref>{{cite web |title=Political Constitution of Peru |url=http://www.tc.gob.pe/legconperu/constitucion.html  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324043856/http://www.tc.gob.pe/legconperu/constitucion.html |archive-date=2007-03-24 |access-date=2011-10-04 |publisher=Tc.gob.pe |language=es}}</ref>
|81%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Peru |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/170/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|Introduced in 1933.<ref name="idea" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Pitcairn Islands}} [[Pitcairn Islands]]
|
|100%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Pitcairn Islands |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/172/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|All permanent residents over 18 years of age are required to vote.<ref>[http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government.pdf Local Government Ordinance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422123214/http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%2011%20-%20Local%20Government.pdf |date=2021-04-22 }}, Laws of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, 2019.</ref> Those who do not vote, without a valid excuse, are subject to a fine up to [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]25.<ref>[http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%205%20-%20Summary%20Offences.pdf Summary Offences Ordinance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420134159/http://www.government.pn/Laws/Cap%205%20-%20Summary%20Offences.pdf |date=2021-04-20 }}, Laws of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://news.eud.adventist.org/en/all-news/news/go/2013-12-01/first-country-in-the-world-to-grant-suffrage-to-women-celebrates-its-175th-anniversary/ First country in the world to grant suffrage to women celebrates its 175th anniversary], Seventh-day Adventist Church Inter-European Division, 1 December 2013.</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Samoa}} [[Elections in Samoa|Samoa]]
|
|93%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Samoa |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/186/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|Samoa adopted compulsory voting in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-28 |title=Voting in Samoa Parliamentary elections to be compulsory |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/353578/voting-in-samoa-parliamentary-elections-to-be-compulsory |access-date=2022-02-11 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref> It was implemented for the first time in the [[2021 Samoan general election]].
|-
|{{Flagicon|Singapore}} [[Elections in Singapore|Singapore]]
|Travel, illness, under 21<ref name=":5">{{Singapore legislation|title=Parliamentary Elections (COVID-19 Special Arrangements) Act 2020|cap=new|no=21|year=2020}}, section 3</ref>
|95%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Singapore |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/193/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|Failure to vote may result in the removal of one's name from the electoral roll. A non-voter can restore one's name to the register by submitting an application to the Registration Officer with a valid excuse as to why they did not vote in the most recent election. Those who do not vote, without a valid excuse, are subject to a fine of [[Singapore dollar|SG$]]50 before they are restored on electoral roll.<ref>{{cite web |title=ELD {{!}} What Should I Do If I Did Not Vote in a Past Election? |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/voters_compulsory.html |website=www.eld.gov.sg |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Canton of Schaffhausen.svg}} [[Switzerland|Swiss canton]] of [[Canton of Schaffhausen#Compulsory Voting|Schaffhausen]]
|
|
|Yes
|
|Compulsory voting has never existed at the national level in Switzerland. However, starting in the late 19th century, it was passed by several cantons, but by 1974 had been repealed everywhere but Schaffhausen.<ref name="idea" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Thailand}} [[Elections in Thailand|Thailand]]
|
|67%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Thailand |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/212/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No
|
|
|-
|{{Flagicon|Turkey}} [[Elections in Turkey|Turkey]]
|
|83.45%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Turkey |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/218/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|No
|
|Introduced in 1983 for parliamentary election and in 1984 for local elections. Registered voters who abstain from voting without justification are fined.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.2839.pdf |title=Milletvekili Seçimi Kanunu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.2972.pdf |title=Mahalli İdareler ile Mahalle Muhtarlıkları ve İhtiyar Heyetleri Seçimi Hakkında Kanun}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Elections in Uruguay|Uruguay]]
|Health issues, absence on election day, force majeure, citizenship suspension.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Article 6 of the Election Law |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/leyes/16017-1989/6 |access-date=2024-01-30}}</ref>
|90%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Uruguay |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/228/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|Introduced in 1934, but not enforced until 1970.<ref name="idea" /> Registered voters who abstain from voting without justification are fined. Fines are doubled if the nonvoter is a public servant or a graduate professional. In cases of non-payment the person concerned is barred from dealing with public bodies (whether acting in a personal interest or as a legal representative), collecting fees or salaries, registering for exams in universities, purchasing registered property, or buying tickets for travel to another country.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ley N° 16.017 de 13 de enero de 1989 |url=https://www.corteelectoral.gub.uy/legislacion/legislacion/legislacion-electoral/ley-n-16-017-de-13-de-enero-de-1989 |website=Corte Electoral, República Oriental del Uruguay}}</ref>
|}

===Repealed===
Countries where voting is no longer compulsory:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Country
!
|-
|{{Flagicon|People's Socialist Republic of Albania}} [[Elections in Albania|Albania]]
|Compulsory voting, which existed throughout the Communist period and produced official turnouts of 100%, was repealed with the new election law of November 1990 and January 1991 during the [[Fall of communism in Albania|fall of Communism in Albania]].<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/fields/field_files_attached/resource/albanias_1991_parliamentary_elections.pdf |title=The 1991 Elections in Albania: Report of the Election Observer Delegation |publisher=National Republican Institute for International Affairs}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Austria}} [[Elections in Austria|Austria]]
|At the national level, introduced in 1924.<ref name=":1" /> Repealed in 1992. At the provincial level in [[Styria]], [[Tyrol (state)|Tyrol]] and [[Vorarlberg]], repealed in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elections in Austria |url=https://www.bmi.gv.at/412_english/ |website=www.bmi.gv.at}}</ref> 
|-
|{{Flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Elections in Bulgaria|Bulgaria]]
|Due to the low turnouts at elections, the [[National Assembly (Bulgaria)|National Assembly of Bulgaria]] introduced compulsory voting in 2016 – the only European country to do so in more than 50 years – but the [[Constitutional Court of Bulgaria]] annulled the law the following year, declaring that the right to vote was a subjective right and not a public function that entailed an obligation to vote.<ref>{{cite web |date=23 February 2017 |title=Bulgaria's Constitutional Court Abolishes Compulsory Voting |url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/179013/Bulgaria%27s+Constitutional+Court+Abolishes+Compulsory+Voting |access-date=22 July 2022 |work=novinite.com}}</ref> 
|-
|{{Flagicon|Cyprus}} [[Elections in Cyprus|Cyprus]]
|Introduced after [[London and Zürich Agreements|independence from the British Empire]] in 1960.<ref name="idea" /> Repealed in 2017, after having been inactive for many years.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 31, 2017 |title=Government abolishes compulsory voting |newspaper=Cyprus Mail |url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/05/31/government-abolishes-compulsory-voting/ |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119091003/https://cyprus-mail.com/2017/05/31/government-abolishes-compulsory-voting/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Dominican Republic}} [[Elections in the Dominican Republic|Dominican Republic]]
|Compulsory voting, which was not enforced in practice, was repealed with the 2010 [[Constitution of the Dominican Republic]] which states: "Nobody can be obligated or coerced, under any pretext, in the exercise of their right of suffrage or to reveal their vote." In 2017, a proposal by an opposition party to establish compulsory voting was defeated.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 May 2017 |title=Should Dominicans be Forced to Vote? |url=https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2017/05/04/should-dominicans-be-forced-to-vote/ |access-date=22 July 2022 |work=Dominican Today}}</ref> 
|-
|{{Flagicon|Guatemala}} [[Elections in Guatemala|Guatemala]]
|Repealed in 1990.<ref name=":1" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Italy}} [[Elections in Italy|Italy]]
|Between 1945 and 1993. (Possible arbitrary or social sanctions, called the "innocuous sanction", where it might, for example, be difficult to get a daycare place for the citizen's child or similar.)<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=IPU PARLINE database: ITALY (Camera dei Deputati), Electoral system |url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2157_B.htm |website=archive.ipu.org}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Lebanon}} [[Elections in Lebanon|Lebanon]]
|Repealed at least since the electoral law of 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IPU PARLINE database: LEBANON (Majlis Al-Nuwwab) |url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2179.htm |website=archive.ipu.org}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Elections in the Netherlands|Netherlands]]
|Introduced under the [[Pacification of 1917]] along with universal suffrage, repealed it in 1967. In 1946, a survey conducted by the Netherlands Institute of Public Opinion (NIPO), in the [[Netherlands]], reported that 66 percent of those asked favored repealing compulsory voting.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Irwin |first=Galen |title=May we have the votes, please? |url=https://ecpr.eu/Filestore/PaperProposal/fac7b21c-484e-475f-982f-b409c2237f72.pdf |website=European Consortium for Political Research}}</ref> In 1966, the public was polled again, this time by the Politics in the Netherlands survey, and responded 69 percent in favor of the policy.<ref name=":2" /> In 1967, the [[Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam|Free University of Amsterdam]] polled voters on whether they thought the compulsory voting laws at the time were "right" or "wrong"; 70 percent of those asked answered "right", 28 percent answered "wrong", and 2 percent gave no opinion.<ref name=":2" /> In January 1969, the Netherlands Institute of Public Opinion polled again, and found 53 percent of those asked were in favor of abolishing compulsory voting, while 29 percent wished to keep it.<ref name=":2" /> In 1999, support for compulsory voting in the Netherlands was just at 35 percent.<ref name=":2" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Panama}} [[Elections in Panama|Panama]]
|The current [[Law of Panama|laws of Panama]] do not mention any sanctions and do not specify the obligation to vote.<ref name="auto" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Philippines|variant=1936}} [[Elections in the Philippines|Philippines]]
|Compulsory and enforced during the regime of [[Ferdinand Marcos]].<ref>Bunge, Frederica M. (ed.), ''Philippines, a country study''/Foreign Area Studies, The American University (1984), pp. 195–196</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Portugal}} [[Elections in Portugal|Portugal]]
|[[1933 Portuguese constitutional referendum]], not enforced.
|-
|{{Flagicon|Spain|variant=1785}} [[Elections in Spain|Spain]]
|1907–1923, but not enforced.<ref name=":1" />
|-
|{{Flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Elections in Switzerland|Switzerland]]
|Widespread among the country's 26 cantons in the 19th century but progressively abandoned since then with only Schaffhausen still retaining it.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leybold-Johnson |first=Isobel |date=4 April 2014 |title=Le dernier canton où le vote est obligatoire |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/democratiedirecte/schaffhouse_le-dernier-canton-o%C3%B9-le-vote-est-obligatoire/38284104 |access-date=28 March 2018 |work=swissinfo.ch}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|United States}} [[Elections in the United_States|United States of America]]
|In the state of Georgia, Article XII of the 1777 [[Constitution of Georgia (U.S. state)|Constitution of Georgia]] provided for mandatory voting.<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution of Georgia, 5 February 1777 |url=http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/ga02.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213082118/http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/ga02.htm |archive-date=13 December 2007 |access-date=2007-12-07 |publisher=The Avalon Project at [[Yale Law School]]}}</ref> This provision was omitted from the revised Georgia constitution adopted after the [[ratification of the United States Constitution]] in 1789.<ref>{{cite web |title=Georgia Constitution of 1789 – Founding.com |url=http://founding.com/founders-library/government-documents/american-state-and-local-government-documents/state-constitutions/georgia-constitution-of-1789/ |access-date=28 March 2018 |website=founding.com}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagicon|Venezuela|variant=1930}} [[Elections in Venezuela|Venezuela]]
|Removed in 1993.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Elliot Frankal |date=2005-07-04 |title=Compulsory voting around the world &#124; Politics &#124; guardian.co.uk |publisher=Politics.guardian.co.uk |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/jul/04/voterapathy.uk |access-date=2011-10-04}}</ref> Had been largely unenforced before then.<ref name=":62"/> Turnout since 1998 has averaged 62%<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Country Profile: Venezuela |url=https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/231/ |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref> compared with almost 90% on average between 1970 and 1993 during compulsory voting.<ref name=":9" />
|}

==Measures to encourage voting==
Although voting in a country may be compulsory, penalties for failing to vote are not always strictly enforced. In Australia and Brazil,{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} providing a legitimate reason for not voting, such as illness, is accepted. In Australia, if a citizen is asked why they did not vote and they reply that it is against their religion, the Electoral Act provides that this answer must be taken as conclusive, and no further action is to be taken.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 2014|title=Electoral Backgrounder: Compulsory Voting|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/about_aec/Publications/Backgrounders/compulsory-voting.htm|access-date=2 November 2020|website=[[Australian Electoral Commission]]}}</ref>  In Argentina, those who were ill on voting day are excused by requesting a doctor to prove their condition. Those over {{convert|500|km|abbr=on}} away from their voting place are also excused by asking for a certificate at a police station near where they are.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201503/97676-elecciones-2015-toda-la-informacion.html |archivedate=2023-11-19|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20231119080311/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201503/97676-elecciones-2015-toda-la-informacion.html | title=Elecciones 2015: toda la información | publisher=[[Télam]] | date=11 March 2015 | access-date=23 May 2015 | language=es}}</ref> Belgian voters can vote in an embassy if they are abroad or can empower another voter to cast the vote in their name. The voter must give a "permission to vote" and carry a copy of the ID card and their own on the actual elections.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Le vote par procuration {{!}} IBZ Elections|url=https://elections.fgov.be/electeurs-que-faire-en-cas-dindisponibilite-le-jour-du-vote/le-vote-par-procuration|access-date=2021-08-19|website=elections.fgov.be}}</ref> 

States that sanction nonvoters with fines generally impose small or nominal penalties. This can be seen as reflecting the practical rationale for compulsory voting – that compulsion is aimed at making it more irksome not to vote than to vote, and therefore mild penalties are all that is required. Penalties for failing to vote are not limited to fines and legal sanctions. Belgian voters who repeatedly fail to vote in elections may be subject to [[disenfranchisement]]. Singaporean voters who fail to vote in a general election or presidential election will be subjected to disenfranchisement until a valid reason is given or a fine is paid.<ref name="thenews.com.pk"/><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/jul/04/voterapathy.uk "Compulsory voting around the world"], ''The Guardian'', 4 July 2005</ref>

Goods and services provided by public offices may be denied to those failing to vote in [[Peru]] and [[Greece]]. In Brazil, people who fail to vote in an election are barred from obtaining a passport and subject to other restrictions until settling their situation before an electoral court or after they have voted in the two most recent elections. If a Bolivian voter fails to participate in an election, the person may be denied withdrawal of the salary from the bank for three months.<ref name="thenews.com.pk">{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-20732-Of-31-countries-with-compulsory-voting-a-dozen-actually-enforce-it|title=Of 31 countries with compulsory voting, a dozen actually enforce it|website=www.thenews.com.pk|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/jul/04/voterapathy.uk "Compulsory voting around the world"], ''The Guardian'', 4 July 2005</ref> A [[postal vote]] may be available for those for whom it is difficult to attend a polling station.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/Ways_to_vote/overseas.htm | title=How to vote while overseas}}</ref> Pre-poll voting at nominated polling stations in Australia has been increasing in recent years.<ref>[https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/research/files/apsa-2014-early-voting-in-australian-federal-elections-causes-and-consequences.pdf Early Voting in Australian Federal Elections: Causes and Consequences], Australian Political Studies Association 2014 Conference – Sydney.</ref>

==See also==
* [[Citizens' assembly]]
* [[Get out the vote]]
* [[Jury duty]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |first=Judith |last=Brett |title=From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage: How Australia Got Compulsory Voting |publisher=Text Publishing Co |year=2019 |isbn=978-1-925603-84-2 |url={{GBurl|06ODDwAAQBAJ}}}}
* {{cite book |editor-first1=Mario|editor-last1=Bonotti|editor-first2=Paul|editor-last2=Strangio|title=A Century of Compulsory Voting in Australia: Genesis, Impact and Future|year=2021|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-981-33-4025-1|url={{GBurl|81IjEAAAQBAJ}}}}
* {{cite news |last1=Crabb |first1=Annabel |author1-link=Annabel Crabb |title=Australia's democratic system is unlike any other on Earth |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-09/civic-duty-compulsory-preferential-voting-rules-aec-secret/105969502 |access-date=9 November 2025 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=9 November 2025 |language=en-AU}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090612191446/http://www.idea.int/vt/compulsory_voting.cfm International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – Compulsory voting information]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190109031501/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/311.html Suffrage], ''The CIA World Factbook''
*[http://www.compulsoryvoting.org Compulsory Voting, Not]
*[http://www.aec.gov.au/pdf/voting/compulsory_voting.pdf ''Australian Electoral Commission – Electoral Backgrounder – Compulsory Voting'']
*[http://www.aec.gov.au/ ''Australian Electoral Commission''] [[Australian Electoral Commission]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110607234845/http://www.essex.ac.uk/ECPR/events/jointsessions/helsinki/ws_list.aspx European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) Sessions of Workshops 2007, Workshop No.7: Compulsory Voting: Principle and Practice] – academic conference papers on compulsory voting.

[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Voting]]
[[Category:Social responsibility]]