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Adam
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Question: Do you think the USA would be better served by a compulsory voting system, such as is employed in Australia?
Adam said:Our electoral system is not at all like the USA's. We all show up at voting stations on the day, and cast a vote either for a party or for individuals (sort of). You can choose to not show up, but then you get a small fine. That's about it really.
Compulsory voting is a system in which all eligible citizens are required by law to vote in elections. This means that individuals must cast a vote for a candidate or abstain from voting, and failure to do so may result in a penalty or fine.
Australia has had compulsory voting since 1924, when the government passed the Commonwealth Electoral Act. The main reason for this was to increase voter turnout and ensure a more representative democracy. In the past, voter turnout in Australia was low, but after the implementation of compulsory voting, it has consistently been over 90%.
Proponents of compulsory voting argue that it promotes political participation, reduces the influence of special interest groups, and ensures a more accurate representation of the population's views. On the other hand, opponents argue that it goes against the principles of democracy and personal freedom, and may result in uninformed or coerced voting.
This is a highly debated question and there is no clear answer. Some argue that implementing compulsory voting in the US could increase voter turnout and improve the democratic process. However, others believe that it would be difficult to enforce and may not align with the American values of individual freedom and choice.
Apart from Australia, there are several other countries that have compulsory voting laws, including Belgium, Brazil, and Argentina. However, there are also many countries that do not have compulsory voting, such as Canada, the UK, and the US.