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Nic Name · 11-07-2002, 08:51 PM

Democratic Countries with mandatory voting statutes:

Belgium
Greece
Italy (not enforced)
Luxembourg
Switzerland (a few cantons only, not nationally)
Brazil
Ecuador
Costa Rica
Venezuela
Argentina
Mexico
Australia

Australia has had compulsory voting since 1915 in the state of Queensland and since 1924 in federal elections. By 1942 it applied to all lower house elections, federal and state.

Although Italy officially has a statute that declares voting to be compulsory, it does not enforce compulsory voting, in fact, many Italians do not even consider voting to be mandatory, and do not fear sanctions if they do not vote. I know of no recent examples of any Italian being penalized for not voting. But the statutory threat remains.

States that enforce mandatory voting usually levy fines, some impose public ridicule or withhold political handouts or deny licenses that restrict the exercise of certain rights. In Brazil, non-voters may not work for the state, receive public funds or resources, work as a state contractor or obtain licenses, permits or a passports.

Edit note:

Other well established democratic nations-The Netherlands in 1970 and Austria more recently-repealed such legal requirements after they had been in force for decades.

11-07-2002, 08:51 PM	#9
Nic Name retired Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,930	Democratic Countries with mandatory voting statutes: Belgium Greece Italy (not enforced) Luxembourg Switzerland (a few cantons only, not nationally) Brazil Ecuador Costa Rica Venezuela Argentina Mexico Australia Australia has had compulsory voting since 1915 in the state of Queensland and since 1924 in federal elections. By 1942 it applied to all lower house elections, federal and state. Although Italy officially has a statute that declares voting to be compulsory, it does not enforce compulsory voting, in fact, many Italians do not even consider voting to be mandatory, and do not fear sanctions if they do not vote. I know of no recent examples of any Italian being penalized for not voting. But the statutory threat remains. States that enforce mandatory voting usually levy fines, some impose public ridicule or withhold political handouts or deny licenses that restrict the exercise of certain rights. In Brazil, non-voters may not work for the state, receive public funds or resources, work as a state contractor or obtain licenses, permits or a passports. Edit note: Other well established democratic nations-The Netherlands in 1970 and Austria more recently-repealed such legal requirements after they had been in force for decades. Last edited by Nic Name; 11-07-2002 at 08:55 PM.