Should it be the law that everyone has to vote?

[Constellationsofmyheart]

Interesting local election results in my city with no overall majority.

Turnout typically very low for the local elections.

It’s got me thinking, should it be law that everyone has to vote?

A lot of people are very disillusioned with politics and a lot just don’t understand or don’t know who to vote for therefore they just don’t bother.

That means that a minority are making decisions for the majority.

If everyone had to vote then people might be more inclined to do their research, but at least everyone would have their say.

Not compulsory but it should be restricted to those who are university educated and/or have some kind of marginalised characteristic like being LGBTQIA+ or from an ethnic minority background

I have never not voted, but I don’t think voting should be compulsory, because research shows it gives a massive advantage to the first name on the ballot paper - the disaffected compelled to vote won’t care where their cross goes. Just don’t do it. We have enough government interference in our lives without making voting something that we can be fined for if we don’t comply, quite apart from the cost, government departments set up to ensure compliance etc etc.

@Pipsquiggle a form of PR has been used in elections in the devolved (& London?) elections for more than 20 years and has demonstrated wider representation. It's nothing new that the electorate couldn't cope with.

Isn't turnout still very low though, like all local elections? So not sure how this would mean there is wider representation

Compulsory voting initially should be brought in for national elections

What does this mean?

Educated and/or a marganisled group = eligible to vote on national/local elections.

Not sure how hard that is to understand.

Really?
It is hard to understand that this kind of thought pattern still exists in this century!
And you seem to combine the elitism and liberalism of the past, in a single sentence.

Everyone is affected by politics. So everyone should have the opportunity to vote.

Even if they prove they cannot be trusted to vote in the interests of the people of this country? Why would you allow something like this? Society wouldn't tolerate a person attacking another person physically.

@InstantlyBella
Completely disagree. What you describe is not a democracy
Why do you think if you don't have a degree or the equivalent that you don't have a right to vote?

People vote on their own interest.

In the same way I feel like a person without a driving license shouldn't be allowed to drive. Education is the number 1 'driving' factor for people voting for sensible politicians with sensible policies. Lack of education leads to Brexit, Reform, voting against Scottish Independence etc.

My DF was very intelligent, and very tuned into politics. He never went to university.

Some people who have gone to university have no clue or interest in politics. I know someone with a degree in chemistry who has no clue about the news or what is going on in the world.

The system how is it is fine.

@InstantlyBella you seem to think that everyone has the same opportunities and chances in life. This is simply not true.

If you are born into poverty or a lower socio-economic group you are substantially less likely to go to uni. Why should these people not be able to vote? Being born poor does not mean they are thick.

Going to university does not necessarily mean you get wiser or inherently better at decision making.

It's just such a weird stance you have. We live in a democracy, all sections of society should be able to vote and be represented.
The disillusion amongst the electorate and not being represented is to do with the voting system itself

Turnout is still disappointingly low but those that don't vote would have a far better chance of being represented, especially if they live in a constituency which a particular party has a strong hold over. PP suggested that was the reason they didn't vote.

You agree we need PR but suggested it was too soon. As I pointed out it is already in use.

That is nonsense. You can't say someone is wrong just because they don't agree with your political stance. Not the point of the thread but your examples are not even mutually exclusive.

Do you think everyone who voted now knows what they’re voting for?

yep. PR is used in mayoral elections although no-one turn out so I don't see how you can compare that to a general election
I still see voter engagement as being a real issue in the UK. Don't you think mandatory voting would be better.

No

if people do not want to engage in politics in anyway that is their right

and if you are to force people to vote who prefer not to you risk them voting against the government out of resentment

No

You can't seriously be suggesting less than 1/3 of adults should be the only ones allowed to vote ???

Wow.

If it's "some kind of marginalised characteristic" that's roughly half of the adult population before we even add in other uni educated people, the rest of the LGBTQ2IA2+ people, and ethnic minorities (which would also include almost everyone in NI, Scotland and Wales).

Of course, any government who tried this would get slapped with a judicial review in moments as you can't choose which way you discriminate based on a protected characteristic under EA2010.

There has been some stupid stuff posted on this thread but this takes the biscuit and hopefully is a poor attempt at comedy.

Maybe not a mayoral election but it can definitely be compared to a national vote in Scotland and Wales.

Voter engagement is an issue and I have limited sympathy for those that don't vote. However I don't believe you should ever make voting mandatory.

@ForPlumReader
I think what we are both saying is that we would like behaviour change i.e. we would like more people to vote.

You would like it to happen organically. This has proven over many years not to work.

I believe that if we want more people to change their behaviour and vote we need to introduce legislation.
There have been many examples over the years that you can point to:
Smoking - no advertising, illegal to smoke indoors, no visibility in shops - all had to be introduced via legislation as this wasn't going to happen by itself
Equality Act 2010
HFSS legislation forcing supermarkets not to put certain products in prominent areas and a by-product is that manufacturers chose to clean up their recipes