Mr Q said:Additionally, I strongly hold the view that no one can have a mandate based upon only a percentage of the electorate. If you've only had a 40% turnout, then 60% of people haven't had a say.
Compulsary voting also lends itself to stability. If there is a small turnout then the electorate can become more beholden to the special interest and minority groups.
In the USA Kerry or Bush will only have to get 25% of the voting age population to win the gig. That lends itself to more heavily marketing themselves to the religious right for example and giving them a disproportionate influence.
The Greens might get say 5-10% of the vote under a compulsary system, but that could should up to 20% if their voters keep turning out and the ALP and Lib voters are amongst the 40% who elect not to vote.