how low a turnout before an election result invalid and then what happens?

Answer 1

I don't think that can happen, as everyone has the right, but not the obligation, to vote.

Answer 2

In a UK election, a turnout of ZERO could be accepted. No one is forced to vote.

In the event of 2 candidates having exactly the same number of votes, sharing 1st place, the returning officer must use a random method of choosing a winner in any style he sees fit, usually drawing a straw or flipping a coin. This rarely happens in parliamentary elections where the number of votes cast is high (though some winning majorities have been less than 10 votes) but the drawing of lots is more common in local council elections. where turnouts can be as low as 10 or 15%, and the number of votes cast can be just a couple of hundred.

A nil turnout would result in a tie. Another common method of settling the tie, which must be done immediately, is the returning officer asks each person involved in the tie to write his name on a paper. He places them in a box and blindly draws one out and casts his vote for that candidate, giving him a winning margin of one vote.

There was only one recorded tie in a Westminster seat in the 1860s, these days the closest was when a Tory lost to a Liberal by 2 voted in 1997.

Control of a tied council has been decided by cutting a pack of cards in Scotland as recently as 1992!

Answer 3

That all depends on the election and the rules in place for that election. As far as I could find out, there are no states requiring a minimum turnout for the presidential election or for any other national position and there are no federal laws requiring a minimum turnout either.

Answer 4

Given our rather stupid voting rules in this country, there is no such thing as an invalid election based on voter turnout.

I'm intrigued to know why no government in the UK has ever thought to make voting compulsory. Could it be that they're all so insecure in their posts that they think all the people who don't normally vote would turn round and elect someone else?

Answer 5

If one person votes, it's a valid election. I don't know what would happen if they had an election and nobody came.

Answer 6

interesting..."low turnout" is a problem few appreciate. in particular, how it ensures a minority of true believers can elevate themselves to power over non believers who outnumber them. but...one must keep in mind that true liberty includes the option to work against your own self interest.