Mandatory voting laws have significant implications for democratic engagement and representation. By requiring all eligible citizens to participate, these laws aim to increase voter turnout and ensure that election outcomes better reflect the views of the entire population. This can help mitigate disparities that exist in voter participation rates, often seen in marginalized communities. However, critics argue that mandatory voting may lead to uninformed voting, as some individuals may choose to cast a ballot without adequate understanding of the issues. Ultimately, these laws seek to strengthen the democratic process but raise questions about the nature of informed consent in elections.