I wrote this essay about Compulsory  Vs Voluntary Voting  back in October 16 , 2004 while I was doing English Course, at Holmesglen TAFE. I think it will be interesting to post it in my blog. A big thank you for my very good teacher, Rhonda Reisbeck......

Australia’s compulsory voting system is not only just and fair, but it also produces a government which is supported by the majority of all the people who are eligible to vote. In this compulsory election, it is required for those who are Australia citizens, 18 years old and over to enrol and to come to every election, register their name, and receive the ballot papers. A fine of $20 for Federal Election and $55 for Victoria's State  Election apply for those who failed to come to the polling place without any acceptable reason. This reinforced compulsory voting system reminds every citizen of their right and responsibility without reducing their freedom of choice. Compulsory voting will minimise the cost of campaigns and it reduces the possibility of favouritism.

One thing is very clear that compulsory voting represents the majority of people. USA is one of countries which practices voluntary voting system. It is shocking to see that US government which is the strongest on earth and plays an important role in shaping global history, is supported only by at least half of 48.3% of their citizens who care enough to vote. The 1998 survey by International Institute for ‘Democracy and Electoral Assistance’, shows that Australia is the 13th country which has the highest voters (84.4 %) out of all 140 countries, while USA sits at the 114th. Should the US government use compulsory election system, the history of this world could have been different (no war in Iraq?).

It can not be denied that compulsory voting represents the majority of all eligible voters. While in voluntary voting, too many people are unaware of their right and duty to vote. The less educated and the poorer a certain group are in the community, the less awareness of the importance of voting. It only makes this disadvantage group worse because of less representation for their own benefits.

Compulsory voting reduces money power for negative purposes. For many countries which practice compulsory voting, there is no need for the lobbying parties to raise fund to cover the high cost of campaigns just to make people to vote. It also reduces negative influence by financial backers, thus it minimises government’s practice of favouritism that can lead to negative influences. Voluntary voting system for presidential election is the most vulnerable in regard of favouritism. A giant corporation can use the power of money to receive government’s grant of special favours for their own benefit. On the other hand, a financial supporter can also have more chances to influence government’s decision in political, social and economical matters. So it is logical that compulsive voting will produce more transparent governments with lesser chance of negative influences from their financial sponsors

Australian compulsory voting system is very democratic. First, let us clarify the term for democracy. Democracy is a government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them under a free election system. Those who disagree with compulsory voting will argue that compulsory voting is not a free election system. However, a government which is formed through a compulsive voting method is ‘a government by the people’ because it is supported by more voters than in voluntary election. In the case of a free electoral system, we should not confuse it with freedom of choice ‘to vote’ or ‘not to vote’. Free electoral system is freedom for voters to choose who will represent their government. Once again, we have to remember that in Australia what is compulsory is the participation to come to the polling place and to receive ballot papers. For those who are ignorant enough to choose not to vote by making their votes invalid, the freedom to do that is still there to the very last moment. Freedom is the core of democracy within certain rules and regulations, and this is exactly what it is in Australia’s compulsory election, because it is nothing more than an obligation for every citizen to do their duties just like paying taxes or to do jury duty.

The justification of compulsory voting lies on a fact that it ensures the highest percentage of participants and it produces the most democratic government which is supported by majority of all people. Compulsory voting creates a more transparent government because of the slim chance for negative influences by financial supporters. And most importantly, compulsory voting is very democratic; it provides a free electoral system where voters are free to determine the next government. Compulsory voting is a duty for all the eligible citizens to come to the polling place and to receive the ballot paper, and yet voters still have a freedom of choice whether they want to vote or not to vote. So it is undeniable that compulsory voting is the fairest and the most justified electoral system.