Compulsory Voting Events

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN COMPULSORY VOTING
Coverage begins in October of 2020. For an overview of earlier events, see Chapter 1 of my book on compulsory voting. I welcome questions or feedback pertaining to the information provided on this page via email at: [email protected].

2025
June 2025
Chile

The Senate approved a fine for abstention ranging from 0.5 to 5 monthly tax units (UTM; about US$35 to US$350), with a doubling of the fine for repeat offenders. The bill establishing the fines will advance to the lower house, though it faces a constitutional challenge on procedural grounds, namely that it bypassed review by the Finance Committee. At the same time, a bill originally introduced into the lower house in 2019 which establishes smaller penalties for nonvoting was revived by the Internal Government Commission. The lower house now must reconcile the competing pieces of legislation.

Croatia

Following low turnout in local elections, a member of parliament called for compulsory voting with penalties for abstention.

May 2025
Mexico

A federal representative from the Green Ecologist Party (PVEM) suggested canceling the voting cards of people who do not vote for one year. The cards are used for various administrative procedures. This is similar to recent proposals made by representatives from various parties, including the PVEM (see October 2022, October 2023, and March 2024 events below). (Article 36 of the Mexican constitution can already be interpreted to imply compulsory voting, but there is no constitutional clause or other legislation that establishes nonvoting penalties.)

Nigeria

The Nigerian House of Representatives debated a bill to make voting compulsory, which was sent to the House Committee on Electoral Matters for additional review. However, before the bill could advance further, it was withdrawn by the Speaker of the House, its original sponsor (see February 2025 events below). This followed a significant backlash from lawyers and rights groups.

Peru/Vatican City

Robert Prevost assumed the papacy, becoming Pope Leo XIV at the age of 69. Because he holds Peruvian citizenship, Pope Leo is legally obligated to vote in Peru's elections (though fines are waived for Peruvian citizens living abroad). Peruivians aged 70 and over are exempt from the voting requirement. As Pope Leo turns 70 before Peru's next elections, to be held in 2026, he will not be obligated to vote. (Pope Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, held Argentinian citizenship. He assumed the papacy at age 76, meaning he was already exempt from Argentina's fines for abstention, which apply to those aged 18 to 69.)

Portugal

In Portugal's 2025 legislative election, the right-wing populist party Chega continued its ascendance, again winning the third most votes and increasing its seat share to tie for the second-most seats in parliament. André Ventura, the party's founder and leader, has proposed a constitutional revision that would introduce sanctioned compulsory voting (see October 2020 events below). Compulsory voting remains a key part of Chega's platform.

April 2025
Nigeria

The chairperson of the Electoral Commission indicated support for mandatory voting. A bill to make voting compulsory was introduced in Nigeria in February 2025 (see below).

March 2025
Algeria

Algeria's Independent Election Authority made voting compulsory in the March 9th Council of the Nation election, stating that voting is "obligatory except in cases of force majeure." This was not a national vote; only members of the municipal and state councils were eligible.

Belize

The Organization of American States Electoral Observation Mission for the 2025 general election suggested that Belize consider adopting compulsory voting.

Cameroon

Célestin Djamen, a potential candidate in the October 2025 presidential election, stated an intention to include compulsory voting in his platform.

Chile

Following an earlier proposal (see December 2024 events), the Senate Government, Decentralization, and Regionalization Committee proposed a fine for abstention ranging from 0.5 to 5 monthly tax units (UTM; about US$35 to US$350). The penalty would be doubled for repeat violations, while paying in advance would allow for a 25 percent reduction. Noncitizens with at least five years of residency would also be subject to the fine. The full Senate chamber has not yet voted on this proposal.

Colombia

A member of the lower house aligned with the governing coalition introduced a package of reforms that included compulsory voting.

United States

In Connecticut, the Government Administration and Elections Committee held a public hearing on a bill introduced to create a task force to explore methods for increasing voter turnout. After some discussion, including on the possibility of compulsory voting, the bill was approved by the Committee with a 13-6 vote. It must pass the House and Senate before it can be signed into law.

February 2025
Nigeria

The Speaker of the House of Representatives introduced a bill to make voting mandatory in all national and state elections. The bill stipulates up to six months in prison or a fine of up to ₦100,000 (about US$67) for abstention.

United States

In Illinois, a state senator and state representative submitted twin bills to make voting mandatory in general elections. The bills make it clear that there are no penalties for abstention.

January 2025
United States

In Connecticut, a state representative submitted a bill to make voting mandatory in all elections. The bill did not mention penalties for abstention.

2024
December 2024
Cape Verde

A minor party leader called for a constitutional review to make voting mandatory following high abstention in local elections.

Chile

Ahead of the October 2024 municipal and regional elections, and following Chile's re-adoption of compulsory voting in early 2023, "express" legislation was used to set fines for nonvoting (see July 2024 events below). The fine was set at 0.5 monthly tax units (UTM; about US$34). The Senate Government, Decentralization, and Regionalization Committee this month suggested allowing fines to range from 0.5 to 5 UTM. Next, the Senate chamber will vote on whether to accept this framework.

Russia

A member of the lower house proposed mandatory voting, suggesting an initial fine of 5,000 rubles (about US$47) for failing to participate, with escalating penalties for repeated offenses.

November 2024
South Africa

A minor political party proposed compulsory voting in a submission to a consultation panel established by the National Assembly to gather input on electoral reform.

October 2024
Belgium

Flanders held its first local and provincial elections under voluntary rules following a reform that abolished compulsory voting. Turnout fell to 63 percent of eligible voters, a substantial drop from the prior contests in 2018. The drop was not as sharp in Wallonia and Brussels, where voting remains mandatory.

Burundi

Referencing compulsory voting in other countries, the head of the National Electoral Commission suggested that Burundi consider making voting mandatory.

United States

While campaigning in Wisconsin during the 2024 presidential election, former president Donald Trump suggested mandatory voting, saying, “We need a mandate in the vote." This statement came as part of a characteristically rambling address. Trump contrasted his desire for compulsory voting with vaccine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he described as unwarranted and shameful. View his statements here.

September 2024
Belgium

A new regional government was formed in Flanders, a few months following the June 2024 elections for the Flemish Parliament. The governing coalition consists of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), Vooruit (Socialist), and the Christian Democratic and Flemish Party (CD&V). When the preceding government, which included the N-VA and CD&V, ended compulsory voting for local and provincial elections in Flanders, Vooruit, then in opposition, were against the measure. As part of the new coalition agreement, the reintroduction of compulsory voting will be discussed per the demands of Vooruit. (The first Flemish elections without compulsory voting take place in October 2024.)

Colombia

Several members of congress aligned with the ruling party introduced a package of reforms that included compulsory voting. The proposed law allows for conscientious objection and no sanctions for those who cannot vote due to unforeseeable circumstances.

Switzerland

The Cantonal Council of Solothurn rejected a proposal calling for compulsory voting by 71 votes to 11.

August 2024
Mexico

A member of the legislature in Jalisco presented an initiative to make voting in state elections mandatory for adults under age 65. The penalty for abstention would be community service.

July 2024
Chile

Rejecting legislation from the Senate that established fines for not voting in municipal elections scheduled for October 2024, the lower house effectively eliminated fines for abstention. A joint commission from both houses proposed reestablishing fines for not voting along with other electoral measures. This package was rejected by the Senate, where legislators aligned with the executive wanted fines to apply only to Chilean citizens (non-citizens are entitled to vote in Chile after five years of residence). The government reinstated fines for abstention via presidential veto, for both citizens and non-citizens.
Several members of the lower house introduced a constitutional amendment that would extend compulsory voting to primary elections, but only for party members.

June 2024
Chile

Compulsory voting was reestablished in the Chilean constitution in early 2023 without any mention of age exemptions. In reviewing legislation enacting compulsory voting, the Supreme Court suggested that older adults who do not vote should be exempt from having to justify their absence in order to avoid a fine.

Dominican Republic

As Congress debated a bill that would establish mandatory voting, a senator noted the need for constitutional reform. This is because Article 208 of the current constitution stipulates that “No one may be obligated or coerced, under any pretext, in the exercise of their right to vote or to reveal their vote."

Switzerland

The cantonal council of Solothurn debated the adoption of mandatory voting.

May 2024
Dominican Republic

A member of the lower house introduced a bill to establish compulsory voting in municipal, congressional, and presidential elections. As noted by President Luis Abinader in his remarks about the proposal, the bill faces a constitutional hurdle. This is because Article 208 stipulates that “No one may be obligated or coerced, under any pretext, in the exercise of their right to vote or to reveal their vote."

United Kingdom

Echoing previous remarks, the former First Minister of Wales expressed support for compulsory voting with a "none of the above" option.

April 2024
Australia

Senator Pauline Hanson, leader of the right-wing One Nation Party, called for the abolition of compulsory voting.

Chile

A group of members of the lower house proposed a bill that would make voting voluntary for those aged 70 and above.
Another group of members of the lower house proposed a bill that would make voting voluntary for those aged 75 and above.

March 2024
Belgium

The Belgian Constitutional Court overturned a law passed in December of 2023 (see below) that made voting optional for 16- and 17-year-olds in European Parliament (EP) elections following a decrease in the voting age implemented in May 2022 (see below).
- As such, voting for is mandatory in Belgium for EP elections for eligible voters aged 16 and over. This is the world's only case of 16 year-olds being subject to compulsory voting. (Typically the requirement to vote begins at age 18, though, in Greece, where voting is compulsory but the law is wholly unenforced, the requirement begins at 17, the voting age.) Registration will be automatic for Belgians.
- The ruling also applies to 16 and 17 year-old citizens of other EU countries living in Belgium. For this group, registration is voluntary.
- After the court ruling, the Minister of the Interior stated that penalties for people 18 and over should not be applied to minors. The Minister of Justice affirmed that minors would not be punished, while also noting that even adults who do not comply with compulsory voting will not be prosecuted in practice.
  - My gratitude to Dieter Stiers for helpful information about this reform.

Mexico

A federal representative from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) suggested reforming article 36 of the constitution to include specific sanctions for citizens who do not comply with the obligation to vote, such as community service, fines, or temporary disenfranchisement. This is similar to a proposal made by a representative from the National Regeneration Movement (Morena) in October 2023 and a representative from the Green Ecologist Party (PVEM) in October 2022 (see below). (Article 36 can already be interpreted to imply compulsory voting, but there is no constitutional clause or other legislation that establishes nonvoting penalties.)

January 2024
Bangladesh

A petition submitted to the High Court urged compulsory voting for citizens who receive government benefits.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Following calls for mandatory voting (see December 2023 events) and other electoral reforms, representatives from the governing parties met to discuss new legislation. They proposed compulsory voting with fines for abstention, which would be directed into an education fund. This proposal forms part of a broader draft election law bill.

United States

In the state of Washington, a member of the upper house reintroduced compulsory voting legislation after an earlier bill (see January 2023 events) died in committee. As with the earlier legislation, there is no penalty for abstention. Among members of the public who submitted their positions on the bill, around 1,600 were opposed and 150 were in favor.

2023
December 2023
Belgium

Belgium lowered the voting age for European Parliament elections from 18 to 16 for all European Union citizens living in the country and for Belgians living abroad ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections (see May 2022 events below). Under the original legislation, for 16 and 17 year-olds, turning out was to be compulsory only for those who registered to vote. The Constitutional Court invalidated this legislation on the grounds that making 16 and 17-year-olds register is discriminatory against a category of voters (registration is automatic for Belgians aged 18 and over). To respect this ruling, the Minister of the Interior proposed making voting in European elections optional for those under 18 in September 2023 (see below). This bill has passed the legislature.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (who oversees the Dayton Accords) called on the country to implement reforms aimed at improving electoral integrity. In response, organized protests were held in Sarajevo. The protesters called for compulsory voting, in addition to other electoral reforms. A member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's three-person collective presidency expressed opposition to the protestors' demands.

Chile

Chileans voted to reject a new constitution, with about 56 percent voting against adoption. Participation in the constitutional plebiscite was mandatory, and turnout as a percentage of registered voters was about 85 percent. The new constitution included compulsory voting, but its rejection does not mean that voting will be voluntary in Chile: compulsory voting was reestablished in the existing Chilean constitution in early 2023 through a separate process.

November 2023
Kyrgyzstan

A member of parliament proposed compulsory voting with a five thousand som (about US$55) penalty for abstention. The proposal was supported by the Election Commission, while the Cabinet of Ministers opposed it as a violation of the constitution.

Malaysia

Following continued calls for compulsory voting, including from the former Election Commission chairman and some members of parliament, Malaysia's law and institutional reform minister confirmed that voting will remain voluntary.

October 2023
Chile

Following an earlier July 2023 attempt by a separate group of legislators, several members of the lower house proposed amending the constitution to make voting voluntary for those aged 80 and above. This would be the highest age-based exemption among countries that use compulsory voting (the modal cutoff among older people is age 70). Compulsory voting was reestablished in the Chilean constitution in early 2023 and is included in the new constitution that will be put before the public in December (see below).

India

India's Chief Election Commissioner dispelled ongoing rumors that voting would be compulsory in Rajasthan's November 2023 assembly elections.

Mexico

A federal representative from the National Regeneration Movement (Morena) suggested canceling the voting cards, which are used for various administrative procedures, of people who do not vote for one year. This is similar to a proposal made by a representative from the Green Ecologist Party (PVEM) in October 2022 (see below). (Article 36 of the Mexican constitution can already be interpreted to imply compulsory voting, but there is no constitutional clause or other legislation that establishes nonvoting penalties.)

Pakistan

A prominent former senator and presidential spokesman advocated compulsory voting.

September 2023
Australia

In the Australian Capital Territory, the Greens put forth a bill to lower the territory's voting age to 16. Compulsory voting would apply at 16, though the party suggested an "educational response" rather than a fine for new voters. The bill was voted down in the Legislative Assembly.

Belgium

Belgium lowered the voting age for European Parliament elections from 18 to 16 for all European Union citizens living in the country and for Belgians living abroad ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections (see May 2022 events below). Under the original legislation, for 16 and 17 year-olds, turning out was to be compulsory only for those who registered to vote. The Constitutional Court invalidated this legislation on the grounds that making 16 and 17-year-olds register is discriminatory against a category of voters (registration is automatic for Belgians aged 18 and over). To respect this ruling, the Minister of the Interior proposed making voting in European elections optional for those under 18. The related bill must still get through the Belgian Council of Ministers and Parliament.

India

The Chief Justice of the Madras High Court rejected a petition directing the Indian government to compel turnout.

August 2023
United States

Fox News reported on tweets from 2020 in which presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who in August 2023 was polling third among contenders for the Republican nomination, voiced support for compulsory voting.

July 2023
Chile

Several members of the lower house proposed amending the constitution to make voting voluntary for those aged 80 and above. This would be the highest age-based exemption among countries that use compulsory voting (the modal cutoff among older people is age 70). Compulsory voting was reestablished in the Chilean constitution in early 2023 and is likely to be included in the new constitution that will be put before the public in December (see below).

France

A former government minister delegate suggested compulsory voting as a response to ongoing rioting among disaffected youth, arguing that it could teach young people the meaning of citizenship and help them feel like more than "political scapegoats."

Kenya

A minor party leader and erstwhile presidential candidate endorsed abstention fines for all eligible voters.

June 2023
Australia

A group of independents and Greens launched a campaign to lower the compulsory voting age to 16, albeit with no fines for those under 18.

Cambodia

Prime Minister Hun Sen instructed his government to amend the election law ahead of July’s general election to stipulate that anyone who does not vote will be banned from standing as a candidate in future races.

Mexico

A senator presented an initiative to make voting compulsory, stating that his goal is to strengthen the constitutional obligation to turn out. (Article 36 can already be interpreted to imply compulsory voting.)

United Kingdom

Several members of the Welsh Parliament (Senedd) called for compulsory voting in local and Senedd elections. The First Minister expressed openness to the idea under the condition that there would be an option to vote for "none of the above."

May 2023
Canada

The Liberal Party of Canada rejected a resolution put forth at their national convention that would have made enforced compulsory voting in federal elections part of the party's official platform.

Chile

The expert committee charged with writing a draft of a new constitution unanimously approved including the restoration of compulsory voting for elections and referendums in the new document. Thus, the legislation reinstating compulsory voting that became law in January will be constitutionalized if the expert-created draft is approved by the Constitutional Council—itself elected via mandatory voting on May 7. Sanctions for abstention would be left to ensuing legislation. Voting in primaries would remain voluntary.

March 2023
India

A leader of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court directing the central government and the Election Commission to implement compulsory voting in national and state elections. The Court rejected the PIL quickly thereafter, stating, "Is there any provision in the Constitution that makes voting compulsory?

United States

In New York State, a member of the lower house proposed legislation that would make voting mandatory in elections other than primaries or school board races. There would be a $10 penalty for abstention. The representative put forth a similar bill in 2017.

February 2023
Switzerland

The government council in the canton of Thurgau rejected a councilor's suggestion that the canton should consider adopting mandatory voting with a six-franc fine for abstention.

United States

A group of Connecticut legislators introduced a bill that would establish compulsory voting in all elections. Abstention without a valid excuse would be punishable by fine.
In Utah, a state representative sponsored legislation that would allow cities to impose compulsory voting. The maximum fine for abstention would be set at $25.

January 2023
Chile

Legislation reinstating compulsory voting in Chile's constitution became law. The first affected elections will be the municipal and regional contests to be held in October 2024. Voting in the pair of 2023 elections surrounding the drafting of a new constitution (see December 2022 events below) will be compulsory due to separate legislation.
The lower house approved the process for drafting a new constitution, slightly changing the dates established in December 2022 (see below). The vote was 109 votes in favor, 37 against, and two abstentions. The document will be drafted by a Council of 51 people, which will be elected by the public with compulsory voting on May 7, 2023. The Council will also include 24 experts and a 14-person technical advisory committee elected by Congress. The final step of the process will be a December 17, 2023 exit plebiscite, in which voting will again be mandatory.

Switzerland

A cantonal councilor in Thurgau suggested the canton adopt mandatory voting with a six-franc fine for abstention. This is the same as that employed in nearby Schaffhausen, which is currently the only Swiss canton to compel turnout.

United States

In the state of Washington, a member of the upper house and a member of the lower house introduced identical legislation that would make voting mandatory. There would be no penalty for abstention.

2022
December 2022
Australia

The state of Tasmania announced there would be no fines for those who did not vote in the first local elections with mandatory voting, held in October 2022. Penalties for abstention are likely to apply in future local elections.

Chile

The Senate voted 41-1 for a bill, which originated in the lower house in January 2020, that would reinstate compulsory voting in all elections but primaries. The House subsequently voted 124-6, with three abstentions, in favor of the bill.
Congress set a roadmap to draft a new constitution via a Council of 50 people, which will be elected by the public with compulsory voting in April 2023. The Council will also include 24 experts and a 14-person technical advisory committee elected by Congress. The final step of the process will be a November 2023 exit plebiscite, in which voting will again be mandatory.

Colombia

The House of Representatives' First Permanent Constitutional Commission dropped compulsory voting from its political reform package.

November 2022
Chile

Following the rejection of a new constitution in a plebiscite held in September of 2022 with compulsory voting, the Chilean government proposed a revised process whereby a Constitutional Council elected with compulsory voting would draft a new constitution on the basis of a document provided by an expert commission. The resulting constitution would then be presented to the electorate in a plebiscite in which voting would be compulsory.

Colombia

A proposal that would make voting compulsory as part of a wider package of political reforms received initial approval from the House of Representatives' First Permanent Constitutional Commission. A similar proposal was approved by the Senate's companion commission in September of 2022 but was rejected by the wider body (see below).

October 2022
Australia

The state of Tasmania held its first local elections with compulsory voting. Turnout was nearly 85 percent, as compared to about 59 percent in the previous elections.

Chile

Following Chileans' rejection of a new constitution in a national plebiscite, the Christian Democratic Party conditioned its support for a renewed constitutional reform process on there being immediate discussion of a bill that originated in the Senate a year prior and would return compulsory voting for all elections. The government responded favorably to the demand, voicing its support for the reestablishment of compulsory voting in Chile. Shortly thereafter, the Senate Constitution Commission unanimously approved a bill that would reform the constitution to restore compulsory voting. The bill now advances to the full chamber.

Colombia

Legislation introduced the prior month in the Senate that would have implemented compulsory voting for a trial period (see below) was voted down 59 to 24.

India

The Election Commission signed several memorandums of understanding with businesses employing 100 or more workers in Gujarat to publish the names of those who abstain in the December 2022 assembly election on company websites and notice boards.

Mexico

The Green Ecologist Party (PVEM) put forth an initiative in the legislature that would unequivocally constitutionalize compulsory voting for federal and local elections, as well as referenda. (Article 36 of the Mexican Constitution can already be interpreted to imply compulsory voting.) The penalty for abstention would be cancellation of abstainers' voter ID cards.

September 2022
Chile

Chileans voted to reject a new constitution, with about 62 percent voting against adoption. The new constitution would have returned compulsory voting to Chile. Participation in the constitutional plebiscite was itself mandatory, and turnout as a percentage of registered voters was about 86 percent.
In the wake of the rejection of the new constitution, a group of lower house legislators proposed a reform to the existing constitution that would establish compulsory voting.

Colombia

An act that would make voting compulsory received initial approval from the Senate's First Permanent Constitutional Commission. Per the legislation, the compulsory vote would be tried out in two pilot elections. In these, citizens would not be penalized for nonvoting.

Costa Rica

A member of the legislature introduced a bill that would institute fines for abstention under Costa Rica's constitutionalized but currently toothless system of compulsory voting.

India

The president of India, Droupadi Murmu, recommended that the upper house consider a private member's bill introducing compulsory voting, which was submitted in July of 2022.

August 2022
India

Following several debates in the lower house, the central government responded to a 2019 private member's bill establishing compulsory voting. The Minister of State for Law and Justice remarked that compulsory voting in India would be impractical and could attract legal challenges. He also noted that voting is a right rather than a duty. This led to the withdrawal of the bill by its original author.

July 2022
India

A member of the upper house submitted a private member's bill that would establish compulsory voting.

Nigeria

A government minister advocated for a constitutional amendment that would introduce compulsory voting.

Paraguay

The lower house deliberated a bill that would expand penalties for nonvoting. While compulsory voting is unenforced in Paraguay, the electoral code does specify a monetary fine for abstention. The new legislation, which originated in the upper house, would make it impossible to carry out some public procedures, such as obtaining a passport or collecting subsidies, for those who do not pay the fine. The legislation also gives the national police the power to collect fines from nonvoters. The civic penalties for nonvoting were contentious, but the lower house ultimately opted to maintain them. The executive branch will now decide whether to promulgate the civic penalties.

June 2022
Australia

Compulsory voting was introduced for local elections in the state of Tasmania. Abstainers will be fined AU$34.60.

Colombia

Despite Colombia's voluntary voting regime, the governor of an indigenous reservation in the city of Ipiales declared that voting in the second round of the 2022 presidential election would be mandatory for all residents. The announcement stipulated that a voting certificate would be required to obtain various official documents.

May 2022
Belgium

Belgium lowered the voting age for European Parliament elections from 18 to 16 for all European Union citizens living in the country and for Belgians living abroad. Keeping with Belgium's compulsory voting regime, participation will be mandatory. Though, for 16 and 17 year-olds, turning out will only be compulsory for those who are registered to vote (registration is automatic for Belgians aged 18 and over). This will be the world's only case of 16 year-olds potentially being subject to compulsory voting. (Typically the requirement to vote begins at age 18, though, in Greece, where voting is compulsory but the law is wholly unenforced, the requirement begins at 17, the voting age.)
- My gratitude to Dieter Stiers for helpful information about this reform.

Chile

In another plenary session, the Constitutional Conventional approved the reinstatement of compulsory voting for those aged 18 and over, as well as the explicit extension of voluntary franchise to those aged 16 and 17. The vote had 109 votes in favor, 30 against, and 4 abstentions. If the new constitution is ratified in the national plebiscite scheduled for September, mandatory voting will return to Chile.

April 2022
Chile

A plenary session of the Constitutional Conventional approved the reinstatement of compulsory voting for those aged 18 and over. The vote had 103 votes in favor, 31 against, and 18 abstentions. The text specifies voluntary voting for Chileans living abroad and for those under 18 (aged 16 or 17). If the new constitution is ratified in the national plebiscite scheduled for September, mandatory voting will return to Chile.

Colombia

A group of departmental governors issued a series of appeals to the next president, who will take office in August. Included was a request for the promotion of compulsory voting.

India

The lower house debated a private member's bill that would introduce compulsory voting.

United States

Congressman John Larson of Connecticut introduced a bill that would establish compulsory voting in regularly scheduled federal general elections. The bill proposes a $20 fine for abstention, and it explicitly rules out additional civil or criminal penalties or denial of government benefits for abstainers who do not pay the fine.

March 2022
Chile

The Political System Commission of the Constitutional Convention approved an initiative to reinstate compulsory voting for those aged 18 and over (it would also enfranchise those aged 16 and 17) by a vote of 19 to 6. Enrollment would remain automatic. If the initiative is approved by a two-thirds vote in a forthcoming plenary session, it will be included in the draft of the new constitution.

Colombia

A minor candidate in the 2022 presidential election, Íngrid Betancourt, advocated the adoption of compulsory voting.

India

During a special debate on electoral reforms, the Karnataka Assembly debated the possibility of making voting mandatory in the state. Voting is already compulsory, though abstention is not punished, in select local elections in Karnataka.

Malaysia

A former Election Commission chairman suggested the country adopt compulsory voting to help increase turnout.

Peru

Two members of Congress presented a bill that would establish voluntary voting in general, regional, and municipal elections.

February 2022
France

Two members of the lower house introduced legislation that would make voting mandatory and allow blank votes to be recognized.
A minor candidate in the presidential election, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, made the introduction compulsory voting part of his platform.

January 2022
Australia

Legislation introduced in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) would reduce the voting age in its elections to 16. Unlike in other polities with compulsory voting and a voting age of 16, those under 18 in ACT would also be subject to compulsory voting. The proposed maximum fine for under 18s is AU$40. The current maximum fine for nonvoting in ACT elections is AU$80.

Chile

The Political System Commission of the Constitutional Convention approved a proposal that would reinstate compulsory voting for those aged 18 and over (it would also enfranchise those aged 16 and 17). Chileans living abroad would be exempt from the voting requirement.

2021
December 2021
Chile

Gabriel Boric, the president-elect, reaffirmed his support for a return to compulsory voting shortly before his victory in the second round of the presidential election.
Former president Ricardo Lagos, addressing the Constitutional Convention tasked with drawing a new constitution for Chile, again (see May events below) called for it to restore compulsory voting.

India

The lower house debated a private member's bill that would introduce compulsory voting.

November 2021
Cameroon

A group of several opposition parties proposed modifying the electoral code to introduce compulsory voting, among other reforms.

October 2021
Cape Verde

The leader of the Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union (UCID), António Monteiro, suggested the adoption of compulsory voting following low turnout in the presidential election.

Colombia

A member of the House of Representatives, Jorge Benedetti, introduced legislation that would make voting compulsory for 12 years under threat of monetary sanction. Benedetti has introduced similar legislation in the past.

France

The National Assembly launched an online "citizens consultation" on abstention and electoral participation, which included the question: "Would you be in favor of compulsory voting?"

Malaysia

A member of parliament, Ahmad Maslan, called for compulsory voting, suggesting fines and a prohibition on the renewal of driver's licenses for offenders.

Mexico

A member of the lower house, María Eugenia Hernández Pérez, proposed an amendment to Article 31 of the constitution that would unequivocally implement compulsory voting at the federal level (Article 36 can already be interpreted to imply compulsory voting). Around the same time, a state legislator for Coahuila, Javier Cortes Gómez, proposed compulsory voting in elections and referenda. Abstention in Coahuila would entail a fine equivalent to 14 days of the minimum wage in Mexico City and a revocation of the right to vote for one year.

United States

In Massachusetts, the Joint Committee on Election Laws, which is comprised of members of the State House and State Senate, heard testimony on a bill that would make participation compulsory for eligible voters.

September 2021
Argentina

The requirement to vote in the primary (PASO) elections was suspended for those with symptoms related to coronavirus.

Chile

Moving another step closer toward Chile's reinstitution of compulsory voting, with 25 votes in favor, 14 against, and one abstention, the Senate gave general support to the constitutional reform that would reinstate compulsory voting.
Four of the leading candidates for president in Chile's 2021 general election have expressed support for the adoption of compulsory voting, while two have expressed opposition. The four supporters are Eduardo Artés, Gabriel Boric, Franco Parisi, and Yasna Provoste, and the two opponents are José Antonio Kast and Sebastián Sichel.

August 2021
Chile

Moving a step closer toward Chile's reinstitution of compulsory voting, the Internal Government Commission of the lower house approved the specifics of a bill that maintains automatic voter registration but allows for voluntary de-registration from the electoral register. Voluntary registration was a feature of Chile's prior compulsory voting law (voting was made voluntary in 2012). The bill then moved to the Senate for continued debate. But, back in the lower house, the bill ultimately failed after falling two "yes" votes short of the 89-vote quorum required for its approval.

July 2021
Chile

The Senate Constitution, Legislation, and Justice Commission, in a 3 to 2 vote, approved legislation from the lower house (see June events below) that would restore the compulsory vote. The legislation does not include any sanctions for abstention. The legislation will now be debated in the full chamber and will require three-fifths support to pass.
The Internal Government Commission of the lower house, in a 9 to 0 vote, endorsed a bill that would pave the way for sanctions for abstention upon the reinstatement of compulsory voting. The bill would allow exemptions for anyone who justifies their non-participation due to illness, absence from the country, being more than 200 kilometers from their polling place, or another serious impediment. The Commission also endorsed a bill that would restore citizens' ability to remove themselves from the electoral register in a 9 to 0 vote (with one abstention). Voluntary registration was a feature of Chile's prior compulsory voting law (voting was made voluntary in 2012).

Colombia

A member of the House of Representatives, Jorge Benedetti, introduced draft legislation that would make voting compulsory for 12 years under threat of monetary sanction. Benedetti had introduced similar legislation a year prior.

June 2021
Argentina

The government announced that people with coronavirus, symptoms of coronavirus, or close contact with someone with coronavirus will be exempt from the voting requirement in the November 2021 legislative elections and their associated primaries. This exclusion adds to existing exemptions, which include being more than 500 kilometers from one's polling place on election day, being ill, and having a public occupation that requires one to perform tasks that preclude turning out to vote.

Chile

Shortly after gubernatorial elections in which turnout was less than 20 percent of registered voters, a constitutional reform that would restore compulsory voting was approved by the lower house with specific criteria. The bill follows an earlier general proposal, which passed the lower house in May (see below). The vote was 105 to 33, with 9 abstentions. The bill stipulates that all Chilean citizens over 18 years of age, with the exception of those residing abroad, are obliged to participate in general and local elections. Deviating from May's general proposal, exceptions for people over 75 years old and people in situations of disability or dependency were rejected. The bill does not specify any sanctions for abstention, but those could be legislated separately. The bill now advances to the Senate, which could see that mandatory voting returns to Chile before the general election scheduled to be held on November 21, 2021.

May 2021
Chile

Chileans elected a Constitutional Convention tasked with drawing a new constitution for the country. The Convention may consider restoring compulsory voting, which was abrogated in Chile in 2012 (at the same time automatic voter registration was adopted). One high-profile call for the Convention to restore compulsory voting came from former president Ricardo Lagos. The newly drawn constitution will be subject to a ratifying plebiscite, scheduled for 2022, in which voting will be mandatory.
Less than two weeks after the election of the Convention, in which turnout was only about 43 percent of registered voters, the Chilean lower house approved in general a constitutional reform that would reintroduce compulsory voting by a vote of 107 to 16, with 23 abstentions. The new voting requirement would not apply to those aged 75 and over. (The previous compulsory voting rule in Chile did not have age-based exclusions.) The initiative will now be studied by the Internal Government Commission of the lower house and then, if it passes the lower house again, move on to the upper house. If the proposal were to clear all legislative hurdles quickly, mandatory voting could return before the general election scheduled for November 21, 2021—and before the Constitutional Convention finishes its work (likely in 2022). Thus, if the Convention were to include a compulsory voting rule in the constitution it drafts, it may end up replacing or duplicating an existing compulsory voting provision rather than restoring the requirement to vote.

April 2021
Belgium

The Flemish government formally approved the abolition of compulsory voting for municipal and provincial elections beginning in 2024, acting on legislation that originated in 2019. Voting remains mandatory in regional, federal, and European contests in Belgium, as well as in municipal and provincial elections outside of Flanders.

Canada

The leader of the opposition Conservative Party, Erin O'Toole, said he was “thinking about and talking about” Australia's voting requirement and would "look closely at what Australia's been doing." He subsequently claimed to be in "listening mode" with regard to the idea of compulsory voting in Canada.

Peru

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people aged 65 or over who did not vote in the general election were not subject to sanctions. Typically, the exception to the voting obligation begins at age 70. Sanctions were also waived for people in health-based COVID-19 risk groups. Face masks were compulsory for all voters.

Samoa

Samoa held its first general election under compulsory voting (a by-election was held under mandatory rules in 2019). The fine for abstention was 100 tālā (about US$40).

March 2021
Azerbaijan

The leader of the Republican Alternative Party, Ilgar Mammadov, proposed the adoption of compulsory voting.

India

The Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly called for the nationwide implementation of compulsory voting. Voting is already compulsory, though abstention is not punished, in select local elections in Karnataka.

January 2021
France

A group of three senators tabled a bill that would make voting compulsory and allow for the recognition of blank votes.

Peru

Congressional candidate Adriana Tudela has made ending compulsory voting a centerpiece of her campaign for the April 2021 general election on the grounds that a "captive vote" leads parties to make a weak effort to present quality candidates and policy proposals.

United States

A Connecticut state senator proposed a bill that would institute a $20 fine for abstention without a valid excuse or conscientious objection. Violators would have the option of serving two hours of community service in lieu of paying the fine.
A Massachusetts state representative introduced a bill that would institute a $15 fine for abstention, having introduced an identical bill in 2019.

2020
December 2020
Brazil

Vice President Hamilton Mourão questioned the need for mandatory voting on the grounds that many candidates were elected with fewer votes than the sum of blank votes, null votes, and abstentions in the second round of municipal elections, which had a turnout of about 70 percent of registered voters. Shortly thereafter, two members of the Supreme Federal Court defended compulsory voting, noting its ability to neutralize radicalism and the trivial nature of the fine for abstention in Brazil, while also noting that optional voting would be ideal for Brazil after further democratic consolidation.

November 2020
Brazil

False information spread on social media claiming that those aged 60 and above would not be obliged to participate in municipal elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In reality, the constitutional stipulation that individuals age 18-70 are required to vote applied. Legislation introduced in the lower house in July 2020 would have lowered the maximum age of enforcement to 60 for the 2020 municipal elections, but it was not approved.

Chile

Four senators introduced a bill aimed at amending the constitution to reinstate compulsory voting (which was abolished in 2012 at the same time automatic voter registration was adopted) for those under 65 years of age.

October 2020
Bolivia

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people aged 60 or over who did not vote in the general election were not subject to sanctions. Typically, the exception to the voting obligation begins at age 70.

Chile

In a national plebiscite, Chileans voted to replace the country’s constitution. Voting in the plebiscite was voluntary, and participation in the April 2021 election [note: this was delayed until May 2021 due to COVID-19] of the members of the convention that will write the new constitution will also be voluntary. However, voting in the 2022 ratification plebiscite will be compulsory.

Portugal

André Ventura, a member of parliament, presidential candidate, and founder of Chega, a right-wing party, proposed a constitutional revision that would introduce sanctioned compulsory voting.