Sir, – I noted recent correspondence in The Irish Times (Letters, July 11th) referring to Australia’s compulsory voting system. Without wishing to make any commentary about the appropriateness of mandatory voting for any other country, I thought I might provide further context around the Australian experience.
Compulsory enrolment on the electoral register has been in place in Australia since 1911, and compulsory voting since 1924. The impact on the turnout was immediate: at the 1922 election turnout was less than 60 per cent, rocketing up to over 91 per cent in 1925. Those high levels of turnout and participation have remained in the intervening years, and the last Australian federal election saw turnout rates of approximately 90 per cent.
Of course, the continuation of compulsory voting is a matter for the Australian people and the Australian parliament. Having said that, it’s interesting to note the measure retains very wide public support (research constantly shows support levels of about 70 per cent) and for most Australians it is seen as a positive component of our electoral system.
May I also compliment the work of your own independent Electoral Commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin? They are completing significant and internationally useful work, and the recent launch of their world leading research programme (2024-2026) is an excellent example of the value of that great team assembled at the new Irish Electoral Commission. – Yours, etc,
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TOM ROGERS,
Australian Electoral Commissioner,
Australian Electoral Commission,
Canberra,
Australia.