The prospect of introducing compulsory voting to combat voter absenteism

Abstract

This paper analyses the prospect of introducing compulsory voting as a legal and political instrument for combating electoral absenteeism, a phenomenon that constantly affects democratic legitimacy and the representativeness of public authorities. As an important point of reference, the study examines several legislative models regulating compulsory voting, ranging from coercive systems, such as those in Belgium and Australia, which impose pecuniary sanctions and restrictions on certain civil rights, to more moderate models, such as that of Brazil, where the obligation to participate in elections is combined with exemptions for specific categories of citizens, as well as practices adopted in other states. Through a comparative and normative approach, the research seeks to determine the extent to which legal coercion may constitute a legitimate and effective means of stimulating civic participation without affecting the essence of the fundamental right to vote. The analysis considers both the constitutional arguments regarding the freedom of electoral choice and the considerations related to strengthening participatory democracy. The conclusions highlight that the effectiveness of compulsory voting depends on the adopted normative design, political culture, and the level of trust in state institutions, emphasizing the need for balanced and proportionate regulation.