List of countries where voting is compulsory |
|||
Country | Enforced | Year Introduced | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Argentina | Yes | 1912 | – |
Australia | Yes | 1924 | – |
Austria (Tyrol) | Yes | Practiced from 1929 to 2004 | The region of Tyrol. |
Austria (Vorarlberg) | Yes | Practiced from 1929 to 1992 | The region of Vorarlberg. |
Austria (Styria) | Yes | Practiced from 1929 to 1992 | The region of Styria. |
Belgium | Yes | 1919 (men) | Women in 1949. |
Brazil | Yes | N/A | Voluntary for illiterates and those over 70. Military conscripts cannot vote. |
Chile | Yes | Practiced from 1925 to 2012 | Chile abandoned compulsory voting in 2012. |
Cyprus | Yes | 1960 | – |
Ecuador | Yes | 1936 | Compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters. |
Fiji | Yes | Practiced from 1992 to 2006 | Fiji abandoned compulsory voting in 2014 |
Italy | No | Practised from 1945 to 1993 | – |
Liechtenstein | Yes | N/A | – |
Luxembourg | Yes | N/A | Voluntary for those over 70. |
Nauru | Yes | 1965 | – |
Netherlands | No | Practised from 1917 to 1967 | – |
Peru | Yes | 1933 | Until the age of 75. |
Philippines | No | Attempt to practice 1972-1986 under martial law. | – |
Singapore | Yes | N/A | The non-voter is removed from the voter register until he/she reapplies and provides a reason. |
Spain | No | Practiced from 1907 to 1923 | |
Switzerland (Schaffhausen) | Yes | 1904 | Practised in only one canton. Abolished in other cantons in 1974 |
Turkey | Yes | N/A | – |
Uruguay | Yes | 1934 | Law not in practice until 1970. |
Venezuela | N/A | Practiced until 1993 |
International IDEA
Source: The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)