Why Compulsory Voting (Usually) Doesn’t Work

Every election cycle, a shocking amount of money is spent on encouraging people to vote in countries like the US. Of course, political parties spend billions on doing so, which is quite a small investment when the winner gets to allocate trillions of dollars — but nonpartisan groups also try desperately to get people of all backgrounds and political persuasions to head to the ballot box. Underpinning these efforts is a belief that a bigger electorate means a democracy that is more stable, legitimate, and representative. Before 2012, California’s Santa Clara County spent <a href="https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/wheres-my-sticker/1934961/" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">over</a> $90,000 per year on “I Voted” stickers. In campaigns involving volunteers knocking on doors or making phone calls to drive up voting rates, the cost sits at around $30–40 per vote. Free food and water at polling stations, free buses for seniors, merchandise and celebrity endorsements are all part of the “Get Out And Vote” industry. <a href="https://medium.com/@cailiansavage1/why-compulsory-voting-usually-doesnt-work-b9dfe37c96dc">Read More</a>