Chicago Tribune: Political Scientists: Why the US should consider making voting compulsory

“If everyone votes, everyone’s voice is heard.”

Susan Ostermann, a professor at the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, advocates for compulsory voting as a way to reach greater representation and increase voter turnout in a recent op-ed for the Chicago Tribune. In addition to higher turnout and a more representative government, Ostermann says compulsory voting also works to reduce elite political influence and would force both parties to appeal to the average American.