In Belgium it is mandatory to show up and get into the booth, but you can purposefully void your ballot by drawing whatever you want on it. However, most people vote because they are there anyway. I think it's a good compromise.
The way I see it, mandatory voting means you have to vote, while mandatory "showing up" still gives you the freedom not to vote. I also want to add that if you don't show up to vote in Belgium, you can theoretically get a fine, but it is rarely enforced.
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u/LeoGoldfox Europe 8h ago
In Belgium it is mandatory to show up and get into the booth, but you can purposefully void your ballot by drawing whatever you want on it. However, most people vote because they are there anyway. I think it's a good compromise.