Compulsory voting in Australia : a basis for a 'best practice' regime / Lisa Hill.

Canberra : Faculty of Law, School of General Studies, Australian National University, 2004.

199459

Law reform Australia.

Voting Australia.

Compulsory voting can work as an effective preventative of declining voter participation in established democracies that are currently experiencing a turnout problem. Britain and the United States are just two examples. The first part of this paper provides some background to the problem of non-voting and an explanation of why compulsory voting is the most efficient and effective means for improving voting participation. It also canvasses some of the benefits of compulsory voting. The bulk (and remainder) of the discussion proposes guidelines and desiderata for a compulsory voting regime suitable for adoption by established democracies considering a switch from a voluntary to a compulsory system. This 'export' standard template is loosely based on Australian arrangements, though with modifications as suggested by 'good' and 'bad' practice in other regimes as well as experience of the positive and dysfunctional aspects of the Australian system. Recommended changes include reforms aimed at expanding the franchise and limiting the coercive aspects of the practice as well as measures to meet the charge that compulsion limits democratic choice. - Introduction from article.

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