Compulsory voting in the UK: The saving grace of democracy?

Elections are an integral part of democracy, linking state and citizens, and ensuring governments are acting in the interests of the general public. However, when this mechanism breaks down through a lack of participation in elections and low voter turnout, the structure of democracy breaks down and crisis ensues. With the UK risking falling victim to a vicious cycle of democratic decay with less than half the general public voting in the last election, the solution seems simple: to introduce compulsory voting.

Image - Phil Hearing

The results of the July 2024 election were amongst the most fragmented the UK has seen with labour winning government despite only attaining 34% of the vote. This low turnout is also unequal, with certain demographic groups engaging at far higher rates than others. According to Ipsos-Mori data, turnout in the last general election was more than 10 points higher among white voters than ethnic minorities, over 20 points higher among upper-class voters than working-class voters, and more than 30 points higher among over-65s than under-65s. Such splintered backing underscores inherent shortcomings in the existing first-past-the-post system, and has prompted calls for greater proportional representation (PR) as electoral reformers argue we need a voting system that can truly represent public interest, and that can allow the growth of parties as opposed to the stagnation we currently face. 

A new report by David Klemperer published by the Constitution Society outlines these disparities and calls for compulsory voting as the solution to our growing dissatisfaction with democracy. This stems back to historic endorsement of compulsory voting by the likes of Winston ‘the bulldog’ Churchill, to newer think tanks and podcasts such as Demos and ‘The Rest is Politics’. To amend what they diagnose the “unrepresentative electorate”, the campaign calls for the installation of an “Australian-style” system of voting in which  in which a legal duty to vote would be enforced by the penalty of a small fine for non-voting. Whilst this would make it obligatory to cast a ballot, voters still maintain the right to abstain by means of voting “none of the above”, thus appealing to both the politically active and inactive public.

Currently used in 22 other countries, including Belgium, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil, evidence is clear that the proposed system works effectively in increasing turnout, with countries such as Australia consistently experiencing turnout rates exceeding 90%. Furthermore, high turnout means more equal turnout, addressing and remedying many of the underlying reasons of democratic discontent. 

Data yielded by YouGov polling indicates that 48% are in favour of this new notion, with a minority of 42% opposed. This advocacy is based on the fundamental principles of civic responsibility to a democratic system based on ideas of mutual obligations, as well as an understanding of voting as an integral mechanism for linking the state and general public. Whilst critics object that the enforcement of compulsory voting is illiberal, or that it infringes on personal freedom, such arguments should quickly be dismissed. The truth is, coercion and civil duty are necessary in maintaining a democracy, and are a common feature in daily life what with taxes and jury duty etc. 

The proposition for the introduction of compulsory voting is quickly gaining momentum. Last week, a new cross-party Campaign for Compulsory Voting was established as a means of ‘saving’ the decaying cycle of democracy. Publishing the paper arguing it’s case on the 10th July, the proposal has already received support from politicians and academics such as Antonia Bancem, Lord Foulkes, Adam Price, and Rob Ford. It seems increasingly likely that we will be hearing increased discussions and active debate on this topic, if not a swift introduction of such measures.