Here is a handy dandy  list of the main arguments I’ve encountered for compulsory voting. Alas, none are sound. Also, two arguments against compulsory voting, both of which are sound.

 

ARGUMENTS FOR COMPULSORY VOTING

 1. BAD POPULAR ARGUMENTS:

 

The Turnout Argument

1. Compulsory voting produces high turnout.
2. If compulsory voting produces high turnout, then compulsory voting is justified.
3. Therefore, compulsory voting is justified.

 

The Consent Argument

1. Democracy should be based on the consent of the people.
2. Citizens show consent by voting.
3. Therefore, a democracy without high electoral turnout rules without consent.
4. Therefore, we should compel people to vote.

 

The Legitimacy Argument

1. Democratic governments are illegitimate unless there is high voter turnout.
2. Governments should be legitimate.
3. There will not be high turnout unless there is compulsory voting.
4. Therefore, democratic governments may impose compulsory voting.

 

The More Democratic Argument

1. It is more democratic if everyone votes than if only part the population votes.
2. We should do whatever is more democratic.
3. Therefore, we should force everyone to vote.

 

2. SOPHISTICATED ARGUMENTS

The Demographic Argument

1. Voters tend to vote for their self-interest.
2. Politicians tend to give large voting blocs what they ask for.
3. When voting is voluntary, the poor, minorities, the uneducated, and young people vote less than the rich, whites, the educated, or older people.
4. If so, then under voluntary voting, government will tend to promote the interest of the rich, of whites, and of the old, over the interests of the poor, of minorities, or of the young.
5. Under compulsory voting, almost every demographic and socio-economic group votes at equally high rates.
6. Thus, under compulsory voting, government will promote everyone’s interests.
7. Therefore, compulsory voting produces more representative government.
8. If compulsory voting produces more representative government than voluntary voting, then compulsory voting is justified.
9. Therefore, compulsory voting is justified.

 

The Trust and Solidarity Argument

1. It is good for citizens to trust their government and to feel solidarity with one another.
2. If there is high turnout, citizens will trust their government more and feel greater solidarity with one another.
3. If 1 and 2, then whatever increases trust and solidarity is justified.
4. Compulsory voting is necessary to ensure high turnout.
5. Therefore, compulsory voting is justified.

 

The Generic Consequentialist Argument

1. Compulsory voting would produce good consequence G.
2. If compulsory voting would produce good consequence G, then compulsory voting is justified.
3. Therefore, compulsory voting is justified.

 

The Duty to Vote Argument

1. Citizens have a moral duty to vote.
2. If citizens have a moral duty to do something, then government may force them to do it.
3. Therefore, government may force citizens to vote. (I.e., compulsory voting is justified.)

 

The Gratitude Argument

1. Citizens who fail to vote are ungrateful for their hard-won liberties. (Our troops died to protect those freedoms.)
2. People should be grateful.
3. Therefore, citizens should be compelled to vote.

 

The Autonomy Argument

1. It is valuable for each person to be autonomous and self-directed, and to live by rules of her own making.
2. In order for each person living in a shared political environment to be autonomous and self-directed, and to live by rules of her own making, she needs to have and exercise her right to vote.
3. Compulsory voting ensures everyone exercises her right to vote.
4. Therefore, compulsory voting enhances autonomy.
5. If compulsory voting enhances autonomy, then compulsory voting is justified.
6. Therefore compulsory voting is justified.

 

The Assurance Argument

1. Low turnout occurs because citizens lack assurance other similar citizens will vote.
2. Compulsory voting solves this assurance problem.
3. If 1 and 2, then compulsory voting is justified.
4. Therefore, compulsory voting is justified.

 

The Public Goods Argument

1. Good governance is a public good.
2. No one should free ride on the provision of such goods. Those who benefit from such goods should reciprocate.
3. Citizens who abstain from voting free ride on the provision of good governance.
4. Therefore, all citizens should vote.
5. If all citizens should vote, then government should compel them to vote.
6. Therefore, compulsory voting is justified.

 

 

1. ARGUMENTS AGAINST COMPULSORY VOTING

 

The Burden of Proof Argument

1. Because compulsory voting is compulsory, it is presumed unjust in the absence of a compelling justification.
2. A large number of purported arguments for compulsory voting fail.
3. There are no remaining plausible arguments that we know of.
4. If 1-3, then, probably, compulsory voting is unjust.
5. Therefore, probably, compulsory voting is unjust.

 

The Worse Government Argument

1. The typical and median citizen who abstains (under voluntary voting) is more ignorant, misinformed, and irrational about politics than the typical and median citizen who votes.
2. If so, then if we force everyone to vote, the electorate as a whole will then become more ignorant, misinformed, and irrational about politics. Both the median and modal voter will be more ignorant, misinformed, and irrational about politics.
3. If so, in light of the influence voters have on policy, then compulsory voting will lead at least slightly more incompetent and lower quality government,
4. It is (at least presumptively) unjust to impose more incompetent and lower quality government.
5. Therefore, compulsory voting is (at least presumptively) unjust.