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.

   大家午安。上次選舉時，我的朋友中有一半以上根本沒有去投票。今天，我要論證投票應該是強制性的，也就是說，每一位成年公民都必須參加選舉。

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.

   這不是一個新的、未經檢驗的想法。比利時在1893年實行了強制投票，澳大利亞在1924年對聯邦選舉實行了強制投票。如今，這兩個國家都是穩定的民主國家。

   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.

   我的第一個理由是公平。當只有某些群體投票時，政客們就會只關注這些群體。當所有人都投票時，領導人也必須傾聽年輕人、勞動者和較貧困社羣的聲音。

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.

   我的第二個理由是習慣。我們已經接受了像納稅這樣的義務。如果從十八歲起投票就是一項正常的義務，它就會成為一輩子的習慣，而不是一個艱難的選擇。

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.

   我的第三個理由是政治的風氣。投票率低的時候，政黨會用極端的資訊來調動他們最堅定的支持者。當所有人都投票時，政黨就必須爭取中間選民。

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.

   批評者說，強制投票限制了自由。我理解這種擔心。但實際上，你只需要到場就行。如果你不喜歡任何一位候選人，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.

   為了做到公平，投票也必須方便。這意味著在週末舉行選舉，讓郵寄投票簡單易行，而對於沒有正當理由卻不參加的人，只處以少量罰款。

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.

   總之，當所有人都參與時，民主才能運作得最好。強制投票能讓我們的領導人傾聽我們所有人的聲音，而不只是一部分人的聲音。謝謝大家。