Election Reflection

With the upcoming provincial elections just around the corner, the issue of nonvoters once again resurfaces. Given the general decline in voter turnout over the past few decades and a growing lack of interest among young adults, the issue is becoming increasingly important. The proposed solution to this problem is making voting compulsory (punishable by fines), but with such a solution begs many questions, such as whether or not Canadian citizens have an obligation to vote, and the validity of the votes collected from the previously undecided.

To begin with, Canada has a democracy, and the strength of a democracy is largely dependent on its citizens’ exercising their right to vote. Since the 1960’s there has been a steady decline in voter turnout, reaching an all time low in 2004 at 60.9 percent. If a democracy is meant to representative of all its citizens and only the better half of 60.9 percent vote for a particular party, it is possible that the majority is not even being represented. With this percentage decreasing still, this scenario is becoming all the more likely. Historically speaking, many feel that the struggles our ancestors endured in order to make Canada a democracy is reason enough to have to vote. Legally speaking, each citizen has the right to vote, but only the obligation to go to a polling location because what a person does with their ballot is up to them; there is always the option to “spoil” a vote if one is uninformed, unhappy with their options, or simply if they want to protest.

The question arises now, if the remaining 39 percent provide a vote that accurately reflects their beliefs. With such a large percentage of the population not voting for a number of different reasons ranging from apathy to sheer lack of convenience, it is not easy to tell how meaningful their votes will be. The main reason that this system is believed to be effective is not because it blatantly forces people to vote with a severe consequence should they not, but because it urges people to vote with a slight penalty.

Studies have shown that in other systems with compulsory voting, such as that in Australia, there has been much success, despite initial speculation for reasons such as those Canadians face. Currently 70 to 80 percent of Australian citizens support mandatory voting. Of course, should there be legitimate reasons for not voting (such as travel, illness, or religion), then such people would not be forced to vote. Furthermore, the fine that exists in Australia is relatively low – it’s $20 – which only 5 percent of the population ends up paying, which can go back to repay election costs. The point is that many of the previous nonvoters embrace the system and reasonably so, as only those that are able to vote are being asked to, with the option to “spoil” still available.

Moving on, such a movement is key because it compels its citizens to want to be informed. If a person is put in a position where they have to vote, they will want to make sure that they make the most out of it. This mentality is what ensures that the democracy lives up to its intent, and that it most accurately reflects the views of the many. As far as young adults go, such a motion would help to send a message, that every vote is important, and the earlier a person gets involved with politics the better. 

http://www.revparl.ca/english/issue.asp?param=168&art=1140
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/time-mandatory-voting-canada-193733213.html