2008 Woodie Awards
Mandatory voting practiced in some foreign countries
Commentary
Crystal Williams
Issue date: 11/2/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Thrity-three countries in the world have laws about mandatory or compulsory voting. Canada is considering a similar law, and some in the United States would like to see the same change made here. Others feel it is unconstitutional to force people to act out a right.
"They'll say it's undemocratic, un-American and indeed, unconstitutional," said John Dean, former counsel to the president of the United States.
One of the pros of mandatory voting is a more even representation of the American people and their values. Often politicians campaign for dollars, so the issues they focus on are the issues special interest groups want them to. They cater to corporations and lobbyists, which affects their politics - especially since special interest groups are among those who turn out to vote.
Some say it is our duty as a democratic people to vote, and the Greeks would have agreed. They viewed civic-mindedness among their chief virtues. Some feel that forcing someone to vote, however, is antithetical to the American principle of free choice.
Apathy also can be dangerous, because uninformed people could make blind decisions. Yet others are certain being forced to be involved in the voting process would pique political awareness.
Compulsory voting seems to work well in Australia and several other countries that employ it, such as Greece. Countries that formerly hadcompulsory voting and abandoned it are Austria and the Netherlands.
"They'll say it's undemocratic, un-American and indeed, unconstitutional," said John Dean, former counsel to the president of the United States.
One of the pros of mandatory voting is a more even representation of the American people and their values. Often politicians campaign for dollars, so the issues they focus on are the issues special interest groups want them to. They cater to corporations and lobbyists, which affects their politics - especially since special interest groups are among those who turn out to vote.
Some say it is our duty as a democratic people to vote, and the Greeks would have agreed. They viewed civic-mindedness among their chief virtues. Some feel that forcing someone to vote, however, is antithetical to the American principle of free choice.
Apathy also can be dangerous, because uninformed people could make blind decisions. Yet others are certain being forced to be involved in the voting process would pique political awareness.
Compulsory voting seems to work well in Australia and several other countries that employ it, such as Greece. Countries that formerly hadcompulsory voting and abandoned it are Austria and the Netherlands.
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