Why Voting Should Be Compulsory

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1. 01Why Voting Should Be Compulsory

   Good afternoon, everyone. At the last election, more than half of my friends didn't vote at all. Today, I'll argue that voting should be compulsory, meaning every adult citizen must take part in elections.

   大家下午好。上次选举时，我的朋友中有一半以上根本没有去投票。今天，我要论证投票应该是强制性的，也就是说，每一位成年公民都必须参加选举。

2. 02It Already Works in Some Countries

   This isn't a new or untested idea. Belgium introduced compulsory voting in 1893, and Australia introduced it for federal elections in 1924. Both are stable democracies today.

   这不是一个新的、未经检验的想法。比利时在1893年实行了强制投票，澳大利亚在1924年对联邦选举实行了强制投票。如今，这两个国家都是稳定的民主国家。

   Sources: Australian Electoral Commission, compulsory voting in Australia; International IDEA, Compulsory Voting database

3. 03Reason 1: A Government for Everyone

   My first reason is fairness. When only some groups vote, politicians focus on those groups. When everyone votes, leaders have to listen to young people, workers, and poorer communities, too.

   我的第一个理由是公平。当只有某些群体投票时，政客们就会只关注这些群体。当所有人都投票时，领导人也必须倾听年轻人、劳动者和较贫困社区的声音。

4. 04Reason 2: Voting Becomes a Habit

   My second reason is habit. We already accept duties like paying taxes. If voting is a normal duty from age eighteen, it becomes a lifelong habit rather than a difficult choice.

   我的第二个理由是习惯。我们已经接受了像纳税这样的义务。如果从十八岁起投票就是一项正常的义务，它就会成为一辈子的习惯，而不是一个艰难的选择。

5. 05Reason 3: Less Extreme Campaigns

   My third reason is the tone of politics. When turnout is low, parties try to excite their strongest supporters with extreme messages. When everyone votes, parties must appeal to the middle.

   我的第三个理由是政治的风气。投票率低的时候，政党会用极端的信息来调动他们最坚定的支持者。当所有人都投票时，政党就必须争取中间选民。

6. 06"But It Limits Freedom"

   Critics say compulsory voting limits freedom. I understand that concern. But in practice, you are only required to show up. You can still leave your ballot blank if you don't like any candidate.

   批评者说，强制投票限制了自由。我理解这种担心。但实际上，你只需要到场就行。如果你不喜欢任何一位候选人，仍然可以投空白票。

7. 07Making It Easy

   To make it fair, voting must also be easy. That means elections on weekends, simple postal voting, and only a small fine for people who don't take part without a good reason.

   为了做到公平，投票也必须方便。这意味着在周末举行选举，让邮寄投票简单易行，而对于没有正当理由却不参加的人，只处以少量罚款。

8. 08Conclusion

   In conclusion, democracy works best when everyone takes part. Compulsory voting makes our leaders listen to all of us, not just some of us. Thank you.

   总之，当所有人都参与时，民主才能运作得最好。强制投票能让我们的领导人倾听我们所有人的声音，而不只是一部分人的声音。谢谢大家。