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https://theconversation.com/compulsory-voting-has-boosted-turnout-in-australia-is-it-time-nz-tried-it-281744>
"New Zealand has a voter turnout problem. Although enrolment is compulsory for
all eligible voters, casting a ballot is optional. And the number of people
voting has been falling in both general and local body elections since the
1980s.
Enrolment is high, however, hitting 94.7% at the 2023 general election, the
highest rate since 2008. But only 77.5% of those enrolled cast a ballot,
considerably below 20th century averages, which hovered around 85%.
Participation among younger voters was even lower: 74.17% of 18–24 year olds,
and 69.1% of those aged 25–29. Turnout in Māori electorates was 68%.
Older voters, by contrast, are far more likely to participate. In 2023, 84.94%
over 60s turned out – meaning they had a much greater influence on who formed
the government.
When almost a quarter of enrolled voters – 22.49%, or 829,326 people – don’t
vote, there is a real risk that governments don’t accurately reflect society.
Low voter turnout can skew other outcomes, too. For example, the Brexit
referendum that led to Britain leaving the European Union was based on just a
72% turnout rate.
But while research suggests compulsory voting can be a “cost-efficient
institutional remedy” to low turnout, we would need to carefully weigh up the
costs and benefits before implementing it in New Zealand."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
