I think that this is a great public forum topic: it relates to a current event that will educate students on some of the nuanc
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Lesson 4.2 Day 3
| 13NFL1-Compulsory Voting Page 28 of 163 www.victorybriefs.com turnout based mostly on the laws requiring voters to show up at the polls – they went from 37% turnout to nearly 94% turnout after implementing compulsory voting laws. While some nations offer carrots to entice voters to come to the polls e.g. the law grants them tax credits if they go to vote or, as in Greece, going to vote is attached to other government goods, like driver’s licenses, but most states offer sticks – Belgium, amongst the very first states to initiate compulsory voting, uses fines in this manner and Bolivia goes so far as to takeaway from your paycheck each month. A third avenue exists too, some nations, like Thailand, which have little or no enforcement, simply make the law but never truly enforce it – much like laws requiring citizens to register for the draft – such a high rate of compliance is given due to the fear of punishment that no true enforcement is needed. At the end of the day, the policies essentially set forth the expectation that all citizens of the nation must vote as part of their civic duties. Think of it like the duty to be a good Samaritan when you see an injured child by the side of the road, or the duty to register your vehicle with the department of motor safety, or even the duty to be immunized before attending public schools. Such civic obligations are not uncommon, but the questions, both legal and philosophical, surrounding such duties are very much the first place debaters should begin their study. Consider the thoughts of former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Krishna Murthy 14 : One of the essential features of modern democracy is to have periodic, free, and fair elections in which the maximum amount of people that are entitled to vote do in fact participate to elect their representatives. These elected representatives become members of the legislature and their roles depend upon the constitution of the country and the nature of the political system adopted by its people. Broadly, the constitution would indicate whether democracy is based on a parliamentary system or a presidential system. In either case, the representatives are elected by the people. In many articles, you will find that the lack of voter turnout is chief amongst the touted concerns from supporters of compulsory voting laws. Presumably, the argument goes that it represents a form of injustice when a government is elected that does not enjoy the full majority support of the people they represent. Indeed, in a nation like the US. no Presidential election in its history can boast much more than the highs of a percentage for actual voters having been in their camps 14 Murthy, TS. Krishna. Spring, 2012. The Relevance Of Voting Rights In Modern Democracies 2 Wake Forest J. L. & Poly 337. Lexis. |