Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should voting in elections be mandatory?
Position‹2 of 2

Voting should not be mandatory

This position holds that voting should not be compulsory. It argues that the state has no right to force political participation, that a meaningful vote is one freely chosen, and that compulsion would simply lead many to pay a fine rather than vote sincerely.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. People should have a right to opt out of voting
    The government has no right to force people to participate if they do not want to.
  2. People should actively want to vote
    People should want to vote, rather than being forced to do so.
  3. Many people will pay a fine over having to vote
    Introducing a fine for not voting does not actually increase voting rates.