Study by Dr. Shane Singh Explores How Compulsory Voting Laws Affect Men and Women Differently
ATHENS, Ga. 鈥� New research from Dr. Shane Singh, Joshua W. Jones Professor of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia, challenges assumptions about compulsory voting laws and their gendered effects. His study, 鈥淭he Gendered Effects of Compulsory Voting,鈥� finds that compulsory voting鈥攑articularly when penalties are enforced鈥攊ncreases men鈥檚 voter turnout more than women鈥檚.
“Previous studies have suggested that compulsory voting affects women more than men,” said Dr. Singh. “However, when looking at actual voter turnout data from Brazil, I found that men’s turnout is more sensitive to compulsory voting. This was a surprising result, especially compared to what one might expect based on self-reported data.”
He suggests that women鈥檚 relatively law-abiding nature may lead them to claim having voted when they did not, as not voting is technically breaking the law in countries with compulsory voting.
“Women, on average, tend to be more law-abiding and are often more likely to comply with societal expectations,” Singh explained. “In countries with compulsory voting, where not voting is a legal violation, women may feel a stronger pressure to report that they voted, even if they didn鈥檛.”
The findings suggest that compulsory voting could shift political representation in favor of men. While Singh emphasizes that the effects are modest, even small changes in turnout could alter the gender balance in government and policy priorities.
“If compulsory voting boosts men鈥檚 turnout more, we could see a shift in policy priorities toward issues that traditionally benefit men,” Singh said. “While the effects are not large, this could impact the types of policies that gain support in legislatures.”
As the U.S. debates the possibility of implementing compulsory voting鈥攕uch bills have recently been introduced in states like Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York鈥擲ingh鈥檚 research raises important questions for policymakers. His findings may encourage advocates to reconsider the potential impact on gender representation and to support unenforced compulsory voting laws, which have less of a gendered effect.
“Supporters of compulsory voting in the U.S. will need to carefully consider how these laws could affect gender representation,” Singh explained. “If the laws are unenforced, the gendered effect is minimized, but if penalties are introduced, it may disproportionately boost men鈥檚 turnout. This is a key point for those advocating for compulsory voting.鈥�
As compulsory voting debates heat up in the U.S. and beyond, understanding these dynamics will help ensure fairer policies that reflect the interests of all citizens, regardless of gender.
“Understanding the gendered implications of compulsory voting is crucial as we consider these laws,” Singh said. “It鈥檚 important to recognize how voting laws affect groups in society differently, including by gender.鈥�
