Seven in ten Belgians would still vote if it were no longer mandatory, they indicated in an opinion survey conducted by Het Laatste Nieuws, VTM NIEUWS, RTL and Le Soir. As with many things in Belgium, there are large differences between the regions.
Belgium technically does not have compulsory voting, but instead has compulsory attendance, meaning that citizens are obliged to go to the polling station on election day with their registration letter and identity card, but they are not obliged to effectively vote. In theory, Belgians who do not fulfil their civic duty can expect a fine in the mail, but this has often turned out to be an empty threat in practice.
Belgium is one of the few European countries where attendance is compulsory, but the debate about abolishing it has been going on for some time now.
If that were to happen, seven in ten Belgians said that they would still go to the polling booth on election day, if it were no longer mandatory. This percentage approximately corresponds to the voting turnout figures in the French presidential elections, but is lower than in the Netherlands – where usually between 75 and 80% of eligible Dutch people vote.
Women and young people drop out most often
The differences between the regions are very large: 76% of Flemish people said they would continue to vote without compulsory attendance, while in Wallonia this figure was only 58%. Brussels is in between with 71%.
Additionally, Belgian men are the most convinced voters: three-quarters said they would also go to the polling station without obligation, while this is 10% lower among female voters.
The youngest generation is the most likely to drop out: only 64% of 18 to 34-year-olds say they will vote if they no longer have to. Of voters over 55 years old, 77% said they would always cast a vote.
This year, Flanders already abolished compulsory attendance for the municipal elections – which will take place on Sunday 13 October. Politicians and parties are anxiously waiting to see how many Flemish people will actually turn up to elect their municipal authorities and mayor.
