Compulsory voting

Arguments used in favor of compulsory voting: ·    
Voting is a civic duty comparable to other duties citizens perform (e.g. taxation, compulsory education, or jury duty).  ·         

1. Parliament reflects more accurately the "will of the electorate."  ·         
2. Governments must consider the total electorate in policy formulation and management.  ·         
3. Candidates can concentrate their campaigning energies on issues rather than encouraging voters to attend the poll.  ·         
4. The voter isn't actually compelled to vote for anyone because voting is by secret ballot.  

Arguments used against compulsory voting: ·     

1. It is undemocratic to force people to vote - an infringement of liberty.  ·         
2. The "ignorant" and those with little interest in politics are forced to the polls.  ·         
3. It may increase the number of "donkey votes" (bad votes that don't get counted).  ·         
4. It may increase the number of informal votes (ballot papers which are not marked according to the rules for voting).  ·         
5. It increases the number of safe, single-member electorates - political parties then concentrate on the more marginal electorates.  ·         
6. Resources must be allocated to determine whether those who failed to vote have "valid and sufficient" reasons