Non-voters and low turnout

Sir, – Brianna Parkins’s criticism of non-voters fails to consider the systemic barriers and individual complexities that often drive low turnout (“My list of people who annoy me gets longer every day”, People, Online, December 6th; Magazine, December 7th). Non-voting is not always a matter of apathy or laziness. In many democracies, logistical challenges, disillusionment, and systemic inequalities play significant roles in discouraging participation. For example, in the United States, restrictive voter ID laws and limited polling locations disproportionately affect marginalised communities, making it difficult for many to cast their votes. Criticising individuals without addressing these barriers risks oversimplifying a complex issue.

Parkins’s praise of Australia’s compulsory voting system also deserves scrutiny. While it’s true that mandatory voting has kept turnout above 90 per cent, the system is not without flaws. Higher turnout does not necessarily equate to meaningful engagement or satisfaction with the democratic process. In countries like Belgium, which also enforces compulsory voting, there are reports of many voters casting blank or spoiled ballots in protest. This illustrates that forcing participation without addressing underlying political disillusionment does not guarantee a more vibrant democracy.

What Ireland and other nations need is not compulsion but greater efforts to make voting accessible and meaningful. In Sweden, where voter turnout consistently exceeds 80 per cent without compulsory voting, this success is attributed to widespread civic education, strong trust in public institutions, and an electoral system that encourages proportional representation. These elements foster a sense of inclusion and ensure that people feel their votes matter.

Rather than dismissing non-voters as apathetic, we should focus on addressing the systemic and emotional disconnects that lead to disengagement. Empowering citizens with civic education, improving accessibility, and rebuilding trust in political institutions are essential steps to creating a truly participatory democracy. – Yours, etc,

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