Compulsory voting is a common feature in Latin America: 13 countries in the region have decided that suffrage is not only a right, but also a duty, reinforced with varying degrees of sanction and effectiveness. Under this premise, compulsory voting seeks to ensure that all sectors of society actively participate in public decision-making, contributing to a more inclusive democracy. However, behind this obligatory nature lie complex challenges: the act of voting alone does not always translate into committed and informed participation.
The recent GPS Ciudadano study, prepared by the opinion consulting firm Datavoz in Chile — a country that in 2022 reintroduced compulsory voting after a decade of voluntary voting — reveals a reality that resonates throughout Latin America. In the context of this study, respondents consider failure to vote as a major social infraction, even more serious than acts such as evading payment for public transportation or littering in protected spaces. This finding suggests that, for citizens, voting is more than an electoral act; it is an ethical responsibility, an expression of civic commitment and a fundamental piece in the gears of democratic society.
However, compulsory voting is not the magic solution to achieve a robust and representative democracy. This mechanism, although effective in mobilizing voters, does not guarantee that this participation will translate into genuine representation or a restoration of trust in political institutions and parties, which is still a pending issue in much of Latin America. The region faces a challenge that goes beyond mere obligation: how to transform this duty into an exercise of conscious participation and real connection with the political system?
The central question is not only whether voting should be compulsory or voluntary, but how to ensure that this compulsory act contributes to a democracy that is truly close to its citizens. Although participation increases in countries with compulsory voting (according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — IDEA, by an average of 7% compared to countries with voluntary voting), this increase does not always reflect a well-informed or engaged citizenry. Latin America needs a renewed approach, where civic education and honest and accessible political communication become the pillars that support an electorate aware of its power and responsibility.
One of the most common challenges in countries with compulsory voting is the increase in invalid and blank votes, which often denote disillusionment rather than disinterest. Citizen unease is not erased at the ballot box; on the contrary, it becomes visible when citizens feel obliged to vote without options they perceive as authentic or representative.
In Chile, recent elections show figures that only confirm this last argument: more than 25 % of the votes were null or blank in the elections for regional councilors, 10.7% in the election of mayors, 18% for governors and 21.4% for councilors. This phenomenon is a sign of deep disconnection, which cannot be solved with economic sanctions, but with a real change in the relationship between citizens and their representatives.
Compulsory voting can be a powerful tool in our region, but its impact depends on much more than sanctions. The fact that citizens perceive voting as a fundamental duty is a good starting point, but it must be complemented by efforts to rebuild trust in institutions and democratic representation. Latin America must move toward a democracy in which civic education and transparency in candidacies facilitate genuine participation, connecting citizens with institutions and reinforcing a sense of belonging and commitment.
A strong democracy is not built by attendance at the polls alone. It is built by informed and engaged voters whose voices reflect an authentic and conscious will. Chile’s experience serves as a reminder for all of Latin America: compulsory voting may be only the first step toward full democracy, but the real challenge lies in building a system that faithfully reflects the diversity and will of our people.
*Translated by Janaína Ruviaro da Silva from the original in Spanish.
Autor
Socio Director de Tendencias Sociales en Datavoz, consultora de opinión pública. Doctor en Políticas Públicas (U.Chicago), académico de la Universidad del Desarrollo (Chile)
