Countries with Compulsory Voting

World Map showing the countries where voting is compulsory.



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)

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