Mandatory voting: balancing civic duty and individual freedom

The legitimacy and inclusivity of democratic governance are called into question by declining voter turnout. The controversy over mandatory voting is examined in this paper. Supporters point out that it can increase civic engagement, political equality, and turnout (Lijphart, 1997), while opponents contend that it violates people's rights (Brennan, 2011; Hill, 2006), reduces the quality of participation, and ignores structural obstacles (Birch, 2009). By combining these viewpoints, the paper suggests hybrid strategies to increase participation while upholding individual liberty, including voter education, voting incentives, and accessibility changes. By being inclusive and sensitive to the various demands of society, this well-rounded approach aims to improve democracy.