As part of my MA program in Organizational Leadership at St. Catherine University, I recently took a strategic communications class. Over the course of the class, I applied different written and oral treatments to my chosen topic of compulsory voting. I explored the political and civic culture of Minnesota and potential channels for advocacy. This is the deck for my informational speech.

1. An Introduction to
Compulsory Voting
Erica Mauter
ORLD 6300 – Strategic Communication

2. compulsory
|kəmˈpəlsərē|
required by law or a rule;
obligatory
involving or exercising
compulsion; coercive

3. Seriously, why?
The Benefits of Compulsory Voting

4. Increased
Better
Compulsory Civic
Governmen
Voting Participatio
t
n

5. Better Government
Eliminate voter access issues
Policy must appeal to the entire electorate
Legitimacy
Civic duty
Article 29 of Universal Declaration of Human
Rights
Right = Something someone has and chooses
to use
“just requirements of morality, public order and
the general welfare in a democratic society”
Income
Compulsory Voting in Australia – Australian Electoral Commission
Retrieved from: http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/publications/voting/index.htm

6. Who even does that?
The Effects of Compulsory Voting Law in Other Countries

7. Where in the World
31 countries (as of 2009)
Australia
Switzerland (only 1 canton),
Belgium*, Netherlands*,
Luxembourg, Austria*
Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru,
Uruguay, Chile

8. Enforcement
Explanation
Fine
Possible imprisonment (no documented
cases)
Infringement of civil rights or
disenfranchisement
Social sanctions
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – Compulsory Voting
Retrieved from: http://www.idea.int/vt/compulsory_voting.cfm

9. Other Countries’ Turnout
*average over last 30 years
Country Turnout* Turnout* Voting Age Pop.
(reg’d voters) (voting age pop.) at last election
Australia 94.73% 82.81% 16,208,479
(Parliamentary)
Brazil (Presidential) 82.13% 79.54% 137,925,708
Argentina 79.42% 78.00% 29,678,579
(Presidential)
Ecuador 73.12% 73.51% 8,763,905
(Presidential)
Peru (Presidential) 82.48% 73.71% 19,106,922
Chile (Presidential) 89.98% 72.50% 12,180,403
United States 84.08% 57.87% 233,087,000
(Presidential)
United States 61.26% 44.86% 235,809,266
(Parliamentary)
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – Voter Turnout
Retrieved from: http://www.idea.int/vt/

10. Like, how?
Compulsory Voting is Possible in Minnesota

11. Minnesota Voter
Registration
Be at least 18 years old on
election day AGE
Be a citizen of the United
States CITIZENSHIP
Have resided in Minnesota for
20 days immediately
RESIDENCY
preceding Election Day
Have any felony conviction
COMPETENCY
record discharged, expired, or
completed CRIMINAL
Not be under court-ordered
guardianship where a court
RECORD
has revoked your voting rights
Not have been ruled legally
incompetent by a court of law
Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State: Registering to Vote
Retrieved from: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204

12. Culture of Civic
Engagement
Sense of community
Perceived ability to improve
community
Volunteerism
Voter turnout
Civic Engagement – Overview – Minnesota Compass
Retrieved from: http://www.mncompass.org/civicengagement/index.php#.UIGI7Gl27cZ

14. References
New Oxford American Dictionary
Compulsory Voting in Australia – Australian Electoral Commission
Retrieved from:
http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/publications/voting/index.htm
Civic Engagement – Overview – Minnesota Compass
Retrieved from:
http://www.mncompass.org/civicengagement/index.php#.UIGI7Gl27cZ
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – Compulsory
Voting
Retrieved from: http://www.idea.int/vt/compulsory_voting.cfm
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – Voter Turnout
Retrieved from: http://www.idea.int/vt/
Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State: Registering to Vote
Retrieved from: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204