Research Tuesdays Lecture Series: Low voter turnout, high stakes
In democracies like Australia’s, voter turnout isn’t just a number; it’s a safeguard.
Voting is compulsory in Australia, but even still, not everyone votes. In fact, the 2022 federal election's voter turnout was under 90%—the lowest since mandatory voting was introduced nearly a century prior.
In democracies like Australia’s, voter turnout isn’t just a number; it’s a safeguard. When fewer people vote, trust in leadership declines, marginalised communities are excluded, polarisation increases, and democracy backslides.
Watch to learn how University of Adelaide research promotes political engagement––and protects democracy.
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Recorded at the Research Tuesdays public lecture series event in April 2025.