Twenty-seven of the world’s democracies make voting compulsory. Usually nonvoters face no penalty, or they can get off with just an explanation and a fine (the equivalent of $2.50 in Switzerland, $25...

Twenty-seven of the world’s democracies make voting compulsory. Usually nonvoters face no penalty, or they can get off with just an explanation and a fine (the equivalent of $2.50 in Switzerland, $25 to $250 in Austria, $400 in Cyprus). In some countries, they face a fine plus “disenfranchisement”: loss of voting privileges in Belgium and Singapore, loss of some government services in Peru. In Chile, Egypt, and Fiji, they can go to prison (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance).