Compulsory Voting Dbq Essay

Should America have compulsory voting? In my opinion, compulsory voting is a good way to increase the voting turnout. People currently don't like to vote because they don't have the time, or are just too lazy. If the government gives them an incentive then they will be happy to take time off to vote. Also, a reason to fear not to vote should be installed, like an annoying fine. When only a few people vote, the voter satisfaction is low. But when everyone puts their idea in, the satisfaction rises because the actual majority will win.
Compulsory voting can be very helpful, the same method was applied in Peru and it worked out very well. Those results can easily be replicated in America. In document E it states, “Voting is mandatory in Peru,

with an enforced penalty of US$35 for not voting. This is probably the cause of 13 percent of the ballots being blank or null, cast by citizens who refused to vote for any of the candidates or who spoiled their ballots. We could see no possibility of any error in the casting and counting of ballots, and (for the first time in our experience as monitors) there was not a single complaint about the accuracy of the voter’s list”(Carter). That shows how beneficial forced voting is. It makes them not want to miss voting due to the fine, and if they don't like any of the candidates they can easily cast a blank vote, with no harm done. Also, it shows that it will be extremely hard to cast fraudulent votes, so no candidate can cheat votes in for them.
Next, mandatory voting is a good idea for the United States of America because it will increase the people's knowledge on politics and things alike. They will be forced to pick up on things like, who are the candidates, what do they stand for, what party do the candidates stand with, what party do you stand with, etc. In document F, an Australian supporter of compulsory voting said, “By compelling people to vote, we are likely to arouse in them an intelligent interest and give them a political knowledge that they do not at present possess”(Lijphart). What he is saying is that by making people vote, some will feel like it is their duty to find out more about the candidates and politics in general so that they can make the best possible decision for their country.
Lastly, compulsory voting is not nearly as bad as some of the other previous/ current laws.

In document C, John W. Dean who was legal council the the U.S. President Richard M. Nixon said, “While compulsion of any kind is a restriction, so is the compulsion to drive only on the right side of the road. Requiring citizens to vote is no more restrictive than requiring them to register for the draft. And it is far less restrictive than requiring us, for example, to attend school; to serve on juries, possibly for weeks or months at a time; to pay taxes; or to serve in the military when drafted”(Dean). That shows the multitude of laws or requirements in America that are less important than voting, but are required. Voting is for the good of the country, yet people won't vote, but won't bat an eye when they are forced into jury duty.
All in all, compulsory voting can seriously help out the United States of America. Although, forcing people to vote will make a lot more ignorant people vote for no reason, it will help get rid of those people by making them more intelligent in the world of politics, it will help rid fraudulent votes, and will help people realize that there are many more required things that are less important than voting. Compulsory voting will

help.