How some countries boost turnout:
Down Under, if one does not show up, even to cast a ballot for "none of the above," a fine of roughly $15 is imposed. The result has been turnout of 90 percent or more. High turnout is nice in and of itself. But Australian politicians of all stripes say that the main impact has been to turn the campaign, the issues and the discourse away from the extremes and toward the persuadable voters in the middle. After all, the pols know that both party bases will be there, with predictable results — and that what they need to do is persuade the persuadables.
The Dish 