First of all, mandatory voting would undermine American citizens’ voting rights. In the article “Mandatory Voting Can Lead to a Range of Problems,” Maria Gratschew talks about how many people feel that voting is a right and responsibility (par. 5). Gratschew makes a good point when saying this; however, if the government made voting mandatory, citizen’s right to choose would be taken away. Gratschew explains this by saying, “The leading argument against compulsory voting is that it is not consistent with the freedom associated with democracy. Voting is not an intrinsic obligation and the enforcement of the law would be an infringement of the citizen’s freedom associated with democratic elections” (par. 8). Basically, every citizen’s vote is not essential, therefore, imposing this new law would eliminate the freedom people have to vote. Another example is in the article “Mandatory Voting Undermines Voting Rights” by Bryan Solari. Solari mentions that Brazil has tried compulsory voting and experienced many problems. He discusses the issue of having corrupt candidates, but voting still being mandatory by law (par. 15). If candidates are corrupt, yet the law says the citizens still have to vote, who are they supposed to vote for? Solari says, “Many Brazilians ended up feeling alienated from politics altogether” (par. 15). In conclusion, despite the fact that some people think that voting is the duty of every citizen, making voting mandatory would take away the freedom of choice and undermine the citizen’s rights to vote.
Secondly, compulsory voting would enact rebellion from the citizens who refuse to vote now. Gratschew discusses how people will act toward the government if they are forced to vote: “It has been proved that forcing the population to vote results in an increased number of invalid and blank votes compared to countries that have no compulsory voting laws” (par. 8). In other words, when people are told what to do or forced to vote when they do not want to, they are more likely to stand up and submit untenable ballots. Gratschew also mentions how the number of faulty ballots received would skyrocket, and that voters may just pick a random candidate just so the government would be happy (par. 9). If people want to vote they will, but if they are forced to vote they will not be happy about the situation and could make a mockery of the compulsory voting system. Gratschew asks rhetorical questions to emphasize her point, she wants to know what good having citizens, who do not care, vote randomly is going to do for the government (par. 9). As Solari puts the situation: “The lack of interest in the vote would not somehow disappear if citizens were forced to vote” (par. 1). Basically, he is saying that arguments in favor of compulsory voting do not take into account the multiple, different aspects of America’s government and the flaws that come with the system (Solari par. 2). In sum, if citizens are forced to vote, there will be a rise in the number of invalid or blank ballots turned in and their lack of interest in voting will not change.
Secondly, compulsory voting would enact rebellion from the citizens who refuse to vote now. Gratschew discusses how people will act toward the government if they are forced to vote: “It has been proved that forcing the population to vote results in an increased number of invalid and blank votes compared to countries that have no compulsory voting laws” (par. 8). In other words, when people are told what to do or forced to vote when they do not want to, they are more likely to stand up and submit untenable ballots. Gratschew also mentions how the number of faulty ballots received would skyrocket, and that voters may just pick a random candidate just so the government would be happy (par. 9). If people want to vote they will, but if they are forced to vote they will not be happy about the situation and could make a mockery of the compulsory voting system. Gratschew asks rhetorical questions to emphasize her point, she wants to know what good having citizens, who do not care, vote randomly is going to do for the government (par. 9). As Solari puts the situation: “The lack of interest in the vote would not somehow disappear if citizens were forced to vote” (par. 1). Basically, he is saying that arguments in favor of compulsory voting do not take into account the multiple, different aspects of America’s government and the flaws that come with the system (Solari par. 2). In sum, if citizens are forced to vote, there will be a rise in the number of invalid or blank ballots turned in and their lack of interest in voting will not change.