Manchester University Press
5 Compulsory voting and electoral turnout
Abstract
This chapter turns to the topic that has received the greatest amount of attention from those who have studied the institution of compulsory voting: aggregate turnout. The question of concern in this chapter is how efficient compulsory voting really is in improving turnout levels. The discussion aims to review previous analyses of the impact of mandatory voting laws on rates of participation, and to assess the conditions under which such laws are most likely to be associated with substantial change in the rates of voting.
Abstract
This chapter turns to the topic that has received the greatest amount of attention from those who have studied the institution of compulsory voting: aggregate turnout. The question of concern in this chapter is how efficient compulsory voting really is in improving turnout levels. The discussion aims to review previous analyses of the impact of mandatory voting laws on rates of participation, and to assess the conditions under which such laws are most likely to be associated with substantial change in the rates of voting.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables vii
- Preface ix
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 A history of compulsory voting and an overview of contemporary experience 20
- 3 Normative arguments for and against compulsory voting 40
- 4 Compulsory voting and election campaigns 59
- 5 Compulsory voting and electoral turnout 79
- 6 Compulsory voting, electoral integrity and democratic legitimacy 99
- 7 Compulsory voting and political outcomes 118
- 8 Conclusion 136
- Appendix 155
- References 163
- Index 179
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables vii
- Preface ix
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 A history of compulsory voting and an overview of contemporary experience 20
- 3 Normative arguments for and against compulsory voting 40
- 4 Compulsory voting and election campaigns 59
- 5 Compulsory voting and electoral turnout 79
- 6 Compulsory voting, electoral integrity and democratic legitimacy 99
- 7 Compulsory voting and political outcomes 118
- 8 Conclusion 136
- Appendix 155
- References 163
- Index 179
