Should Compulsory Voting Be Compulsory

In the United States government, citizens are not required to vote but are strongly encouraged to do so. In some countries such as Australia, Greece, and Mexico, it is mandatory, beginning at age eighteen, for citizens to vote in government elections. Compulsory voting should be mandatory in the United states. It increases voter turnout and will help minimize political polarization.

Compulsory voting has been working well in the twenty-six countries that implement it. Australia is a great example of how voter turnout has increased dramatically with the law. In 1924, only 47% of Australia's registered voters voted. After putting a mandatory voting law in place, the current voting turnout rests at 80% of eligible voters (about 90% of registered