While each nation holds characteristics that make it unique, many share a common thread -- elections. For centuries, elections have played a significant role in the world’s history, shaping each nation into what it is today. As we await the results of our own elections, let’s take a look at some voting practices from around the world.
Some form of voting takes place in almost every nation. Sometimes, voting even goes beyond our world. Since 1997, astronauts have had the opportunity to vote while in space from the International Space Station. Their ballots originate in Houston, Texas where they are securely sent into space by Mission Control. Once the astronauts make their candidate selections, a PDF of their paper ballot is sent back down to Earth where it is then delivered in an encoded document for clerks to open and submit a hard copy.
Back on Earth, voting practices come in all forms. While traditional in-person voting is still the most popular option, some nations are starting to take a more technological approach. In 2005, Estonia first offered online ballots. In the last decade, more than 30% of Estonia’s voters utilized the online voting system. Other nations such as Namibia have also adopted an online-voting system.
For many countries like Australia, the voter turnout makes up a mere fraction of the population. Australia’s solution was to institute a mandate that anyone 18 years or older is legally required to participate in its federal elections. The fine for not voting is the equivalent to $15 USD. Steeper penalties can also be applied if an individual fails to pay the original fine in a timely manner.
Eighteen years of age tends to be the common voting age shared by several countries. In 2007, Austria became the first nation in the European Union to lower the voting age to 16. With an aging population, Austria lowered the voting age in hopes of increasing it’s voting base and encouraging political participation at a younger age. Malta and Wales followed a similar approach.
India is the world’s largest democracy with a staggering 800 million voters. Because of its large population, elections can take multiple weeks, and sometimes even months. To manage the influx of voters, election days are typically spaced out with multiple days in-between.
In some nations, voting is not a possibility for all people. There are signs of progress, though. It was not until 2015 that women in Saudi Arabia received the right to vote. For the first time, women were also allowed the opportunity to run for office. These events began a powerful movement in Saudi Arabia to expand a woman’s rights. Since obtaining suffrage, Saudi Arabian women have also been permitted to drive, obtain a passport, and travel without a male family member’s permission.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on democracies and elections globally, including our own. Despite the need for delays or an increase in mail-in voting, elections continue. Just last month, New Zealand, Bolivia, and Guinea, held elections.
Elections can be a tumultuous period for every nation, but it can also be the start of renewed hope. While anxiously watching our nation’s elections unfold, one thing is clear -- Voting has tremendous power to pave a country’s future.
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