Voter turnout in the United States is not one of the country'sgreatest triumphs. During the 2000 presidential election, only 51percent of the able-to-vote population came out to exercise theirright.
Though the use of media has made the public more educated on theissues than ever before, voting isn't on the rise. Because of this,mandatory voting, which is unconstitutional in the United States,has been a topic of discussion for some in the University ofMemphis community.
"I believe that for all the sacrifices people have made for thiscountry, voting is the least of repayments people should do," saidsophomore political science major Chuck Grimes, vice president ofthe College Republicans. "However, mandatory voting in a way wouldviolate one's right -- a lack of (voluntarily) voting is theirright."
Countries with mandatory voting policies include Australia,Luxembourg and Switzerland. Many of these countries issue fines tothose who don't perform their "civic duty," while other countriesimprison citizens if they do not vote.
Australian exchange student Ben Stapp, an exercise and sportsmajor, said mandatory voting in his homeland works well.
"No one in Australia really complains about voting," he said."They just go ahead and do it. They have a certain day reservedwhen you're supposed to vote, and you get fined if you don'tvote."
But even in his country, Stapp said, people still find a way toget out of voting.
"You register to vote when you're 18 though," he said. "So ifyou don't register, that's one way to get around voting."
Maurice Crouse, American history professor, said he would notsupport a law requiring people to vote.
"Making voting mandatory goes against the principles of ourcountry," he said. "Though I think we should encourage people tovote, I would not favor a law making it mandatory."
Student opinion on mandatory voting in the United States ismixed.
"I think mandatory voting would suit our country well," saidsophomore D.W. Moyer, an economics major. "With such a poor voterturnout, we've diminished what we've accomplished as a country.
"If you force people to get involved, maybe they'll start tocare about the issues. Then we can move more toward democracy withpeople actually wanting their officials to represent them."
However, sophomore Mason Chumpia, biology major, disagreed withMoyer.
"I don't think it should be required," Chumpia said."Theoretically, the welfare of our nation would be in the hands ofpeople who choose not to educate themselves about the issue. Ifthey don't know what they're doing, how are they helping thesituation?"
