Transformation of electoral right to electoral responsibility: opportunity or necessity

摘要

The paper considers compulsory voting as a means of increasing voter turnout. The behavior of citizens with an active electoral right, but not participating in the voting (non-voters) can be compared with the behavior of a stowaway in public transport: even if he does not pay the fare, there will still be transport, because there are those who pay the fare. The non-voter does not participate in the creation, he only consumes. It is obvious that if nobody takes part in the elections, the foundations of democracy will collapse. Obliging to participate in elections can have both positive and negative effects on the development of civil society, raising the level of electoral and legal culture of the population, and developing state institutions. It is possible that the imposition of sanctions on mandatory elections may also reduce recognition of democracy. Ideas related to the possibility of deprivation of citizenship of those not participating in elections are critically evaluated. It is emphasized that there is insufficient evidence to judge the relationship between voter turnout and voting results. It is proposed to clearly affirm the obligation of state and municipal employees to participate in elections. If the level of citizenship and electoral culture of voters becomes higher, the issue of compulsory vote will lose its relevance. Voluntary voting is usually better than compulsory.