Compulsory voting means that all eligible voters are required by law to vote or to attend a polling station on election day. Voters may be given the option of choosing ‘none of the above’, ‘re-open nominations’ (a vote for RON means you would like a wider range of candidates) or some other way of registering their dissatisfaction. Alternatively, they may just be required to turn up at the polling station — even if they just bin the polling card or spoil the paper (for example, by scribbling on it). Punishment for breaking this law could be a fine or community service.
With voter turnout falling in the UK (see Table 1), some politicians have argued that this should be introduced. Others have disagreed, saying that this will not resolve any of the problems in our political system and may even encourage resentment and further voter apathy.
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