Assessing Objections to Compulsory Voting in Australia

Lachlan Umbers

doi:10.1007/978-981-33-4025-1_4

Assessing Objections to Compulsory Voting in Australia

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paper › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter considers several objections to compulsory in Australia: that compulsory voting unacceptably abridges individual liberty; that it is unnecessary for high electoral turnout; that it is undemocratic; that it violates the ‘right not to vote’; that it has a detrimental effect upon the behaviour and composition of Australia’s political parties; and that it mobilises large numbers of disengaged citizens, with negative consequences for Australian democracy. The chapter provides a critical assessment of these objections and concludes that none of them comes anywhere close to showing that compulsory voting in Australia ought to be repealed.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	A Century of Compulsory Voting in Australia: Genesis, Impact and Future
Editors	Matteo Bonotti, Paul Strangio
Place of Publication	Singapore
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
Chapter	4
Pages	59-82
ISBN (Electronic)	978-981-334-025-1
ISBN (Print)	978-981-334-024-4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4025-1_4
Publication status	Published - 21 Apr 2021

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title = "Assessing Objections to Compulsory Voting in Australia",

abstract = "This chapter considers several objections to compulsory in Australia: that compulsory voting unacceptably abridges individual liberty; that it is unnecessary for high electoral turnout; that it is undemocratic; that it violates the {\textquoteleft}right not to vote{\textquoteright}; that it has a detrimental effect upon the behaviour and composition of Australia{\textquoteright}s political parties; and that it mobilises large numbers of disengaged citizens, with negative consequences for Australian democracy. The chapter provides a critical assessment of these objections and concludes that none of them comes anywhere close to showing that compulsory voting in Australia ought to be repealed.",

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N2 - This chapter considers several objections to compulsory in Australia: that compulsory voting unacceptably abridges individual liberty; that it is unnecessary for high electoral turnout; that it is undemocratic; that it violates the ‘right not to vote’; that it has a detrimental effect upon the behaviour and composition of Australia’s political parties; and that it mobilises large numbers of disengaged citizens, with negative consequences for Australian democracy. The chapter provides a critical assessment of these objections and concludes that none of them comes anywhere close to showing that compulsory voting in Australia ought to be repealed.

AB - This chapter considers several objections to compulsory in Australia: that compulsory voting unacceptably abridges individual liberty; that it is unnecessary for high electoral turnout; that it is undemocratic; that it violates the ‘right not to vote’; that it has a detrimental effect upon the behaviour and composition of Australia’s political parties; and that it mobilises large numbers of disengaged citizens, with negative consequences for Australian democracy. The chapter provides a critical assessment of these objections and concludes that none of them comes anywhere close to showing that compulsory voting in Australia ought to be repealed.

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A2 - Strangio, Paul

PB - Palgrave Macmillan

CY - Singapore

ER -

Assessing Objections to Compulsory Voting in Australia

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