What is compulsory voting?

Compulsory voting is a system in which citizens must by law vote, or at least attend the polling station. Those who do not can face small fines. Australia has used it since 1924, and turnout there is usually around 90%. The UK does not have compulsory voting.

Around 20 countries have some form of compulsory voting, though not all enforce it. Examples include Australia, Belgium, Brazil and Argentina. In Australia, people who fail to vote without a valid reason face a modest fine. Voters can still spoil their ballot, so the rule is really about turning up. Belgium has used it since 1893. Enforcement varies a lot.

UK turnout has fallen since the 1990s. At the 2024 general election about 60% of registered voters took part, one of the lowest levels since 1918. Turnout is much lower among younger and poorer people than among older and wealthier groups. Supporters of compulsory voting argue this skews policy towards the groups that vote most. Turnout matters to how parties campaign.

Supporters say compulsory voting makes results more representative and gives every group equal weight. Critics argue that freedom includes the freedom not to vote. They also say it could push uninformed voters to the polls and would be hard to enforce. Some suggest milder options, such as automatic voter registration or making election day a holiday. Each option has trade-offs.