Thirdly, another issue with mandatory voting is the fact that making every eligible citizen vote, would cause people who are uneducated about politics and news to make a decision that would affect the whole country. Solari regards this by saying, “Thus, compulsory voting would force politically uneducated, unwilling people to go to the polls to make a choice for president” (par. 24). This is to say, that people who know nothing about politics, current events, or the candidate’s policies would be affecting the final results of important elections, such as: elections for mayor, governor, and the president of the United States. Solari goes on to say, “Forcing politically inactive people to become active may seem like a logical conception, but the truth of the matter is that most of the people forced to vote will make a decision similar to a ‘donkey vote,’ and simply vote for the first choice on the ballot” (par. 24). The article, "Should Voting Be Mandatory in the U.S.?" considers this question from both perspectives, and in the article the result of uninformed voters is talked over, as well as that this decision would have a continual affect on our country because of the choices these juvenile voters made (par.10-11). In fact, if the citizen is not educated about the situation they may feel inadequate and vote randomly or submit a blank ballot just in spite of the government's wishes.
There are many articles that agree with the fact that forcing citizens to vote will bring many uninterested voters to the polls. For example, the article, "Preface to "Should Voting Be Mandatory?," talks about the fact that just because people are being forced to vote does not mean they will take the time to learn about the issues (par. 3). Even advocates for mandatory voting admit that the policy would bring uneducated voters and uninterested citizens to the polls and could cause problems. Solari quotes a promoter of compulsory voting, University of California, San Diego professor, Arend Lijphart, saying, “Even Lijphart himself acknowledges that compulsory voting has the potential to, ‘force to the polls people who have little political interest and knowledge and who are unlikely to cast a well considered vote” (par. 24). In other words, although mandatory voting will create a more active democracy, because citizens will be uninterested and not knowledgeable, the quality of their voting will be low and unhelpful to the government. Although voter turnout will increase, the people who will be voting will not make strong, sound decisions when at the polls (Keaney and Rogers par. 1-5). In conclusion, mandatory voting does not make for a more democratic government because what they gain in percentage of voters, they lose in quality of voters.
There are many articles that agree with the fact that forcing citizens to vote will bring many uninterested voters to the polls. For example, the article, "Preface to "Should Voting Be Mandatory?," talks about the fact that just because people are being forced to vote does not mean they will take the time to learn about the issues (par. 3). Even advocates for mandatory voting admit that the policy would bring uneducated voters and uninterested citizens to the polls and could cause problems. Solari quotes a promoter of compulsory voting, University of California, San Diego professor, Arend Lijphart, saying, “Even Lijphart himself acknowledges that compulsory voting has the potential to, ‘force to the polls people who have little political interest and knowledge and who are unlikely to cast a well considered vote” (par. 24). In other words, although mandatory voting will create a more active democracy, because citizens will be uninterested and not knowledgeable, the quality of their voting will be low and unhelpful to the government. Although voter turnout will increase, the people who will be voting will not make strong, sound decisions when at the polls (Keaney and Rogers par. 1-5). In conclusion, mandatory voting does not make for a more democratic government because what they gain in percentage of voters, they lose in quality of voters.