Voting is something that is for everybody, including and especially people at the margins of society.” “It really offers this society-wide message: There is no such thing as a political class in a democracy. “The idea of compulsory voting is that it conveys the idea that each person’s voice is expected and valued,” said Chapman, an assistant professor of political science in Stanford’s School of Humanities and Sciences. Chapman sees voting as a special occasion for all citizens to show to elected officials they are all equal when it comes to government decision-making.
In an article published in the American Journal of Political Science, Chapman builds on existing scholarship to make the case for mandatory voting. would then join countries such as Australia, Belgium and Brazil, which all require universal participation in national elections. To increase voter turnout in elections, some scholars – including Stanford political scientist Emilee Chapman – have suggested making voting compulsory in the United States. Political scientist Emilee Chapman says compulsory voting conveys the message that each citizen’s voice is expected and valued.
