To clarify: when you ask someone (I include myself, here) to make a choice between X and Y just off the cuff, he or she may tend to choose based on first impressions or subconscious biases. Vote for (or against) X because she is a woman; vote for or against Y because one's relative is a teacher and this person sounds teacher-friendly.

I'm curious as to whether compulsory voting would increase the number of people voting that way, or whether the knowledge that you must vote would actually encourage more people to educate themselves. Basically, would it increase actual effective democratic power, or would it just increase what looks like democratic participation?

Sounds like it's working out fairly well for you guys.