Vota Si? Vota No?

May 7 was Voting Day here in Ecuador.  Actually, it was a referendum, so there were 10 questions for which a person could elect to vote Sí or No.  A lot of attention was given to the question of whether the famous Quito Bull Run and the historical Andean cock fighting should continue.  However, the weightiest questions centered on the potential restructuring of the judicial system and regulation of the media.  While I could give an analysis of the impact of these decisions, suffice it to say that I think this referendum will have extensive implications for this country.

However, since I didn’t participate directly in the election, it was an opportunity for me to focus more on the concept of suffrage, especially as it relates to democracy.  One interesting aspect of voting here in Ecuador is that it is mandatory, and not just for citizens.  A friend who has lived here for 2 years had to vote, and so did the many Cubans, Venezuelans, and Colombians who have obtained Ecuadorian permanent residency.  Not voting results in a $30 fine, so most people show up and vote even if they don’t know anything about the questions.

Is that good or bad?  I’ve debated the consequences of mandatory voting with several friends, and it’s not as clear-cut a decision as one might think.  Democracy is by definition rule by the people, so how can the people’s preference be ascertained if only a minority vote?  Popular opinion should be the rule, and the will of the general public should always be the guideline, right?  At the same time, does someone who is uneducated on the topic know what is in her best interest?  Can someone who is ignorant of the consequences of a vote really make an informed decision on matters of lasting consequence?  Unfortunately, as Mancur Olson pointed out in Power and Prosperity, the average citizen does not benefit proportionately for researching how he should vote.  It is much easier to free ride on the research of others because one vote will have little effect.  But if too many people choose to free ride, the uninformed voter will win the day and might later recant the decision.

So, is it better to mandate that everyone vote, or is it better to allow each person the free choice of whether to participate in an election?  Maybe we should take a vote on that one.