Should we make voting mandatory?

[7,052,770]

I believe Australia actually does this, so it's not just some crazy crackpot idea.

There would never again be an issue with "turnout."

[KCDem]

Nope. There are plenty of people out there that you don't want voting. Trust me. They make OC look coherent and informed about politics.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I believe Australia actually does this, so it's not just some crazy crackpot idea.

There would never again be an issue with "turnout."

US and Switzerland I believe. I support, we'll not quite "mandatory", but you need to have a damn good reason not to vote.

There is a fixation, because of history and mindset, that the right to vote trumps the responsibility to vote. I just think there comes a time where your responsibility outweighs your right.

[Free Bird]

Nope. There are plenty of people out there that you don't want voting. Trust me. They make OC look coherent and informed about politics.

[Consciously Unconscious]

No, because while I think it's a good thing to do, it should be a choice.

[Knives]

Yes. Yes. Yes.

It is the reason Australia is the most democratic nation in the world simply because election results are an accurate representation of our country. Plus, voting is a civic duty.

[Wisconsin+17]

Yes, for Republicans.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Yes, but it'll never happen given that the Republican party's idea of electoral reform is disenfranchising as many voters as possible.

[ZuWo]

No. Why shouldn't people have the right not to vote? That's a perfectly valid way of expressing your political views, or lack thereof.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Absolutely not. Realistically no more than 0.3% of the country is qualified to participate in an economic discussion.

Also, freedom of choice. Not voting is a statement even if there is a NOTA option.

[Lief 🗽]

Yes. You should at least have to cast a ballot; you can leave it blank if you want.

[jd1433]

And the penalty for not voting would be what?

If it's a fine and I refuse to pay the fine could I be put in jail?

If I failed to vote for 3 elections in a row would could I receive jail time?



Great way to get people to think positively about voting... force them to do it (rolls eyes).

People would hate politics even more than they do now if they were obligated to go wait in line to pick between a Giant Douche and a Turd Sandwich.


Seriously if someone doesn't want to vote let them not vote.

[Stranger in a strange land]

How about this: bring back the draft, but only for non-voters.

[jd1433]

Just an FYI I'm pretty republican and I didn't vote on Tuesday.

Oh my God the horror! I must not be patriotic! I must lack civics.

When really it's basic logic. I rent so I move around a bit on occasion. I didn't want to register again when my specific residence is located squarely in DFL hotbed that was 100% for sure not going to a single competitive race up or down the ballot.


Instead I considered strongly driving a few miles on Sunday to go door to door for a State house seat that was expected to be close. I'm kicking myself for not doing so because the margin on the race was only 34 votes. That made me feel "unpatriotic" not the damn vote.

[Bigby]

No, that would just mean too many uneducated and/or apathetic people vote. Don't force people into it.

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

Yes. Mandatory voting forces politicians to cater to all groups instead of those who vote (so the young, poor, and minorities get relatively better policy outcomes), and provides the mechanism to kill voter disenfranchisement forever: minorities, poor etc. who would be disenfranchised in the SQ by Republican voter restriction laws can now sue (collectively or someone on their behalf) to strike down these laws as it precludes them from voting. Alternatively, if identification has to stick around, it establishes a facilitative right that the government must provide valid identification for all citizens who cannot afford.

Of course, compulsory voting should have automatic voter registration (or at the very worst same day registration) and a national holiday accompanying it.

[Paul Kemp]

Perhaps, provided that ballots can be cast via mail or securely online.

[New_Conservative]

No, because while I think it's a good thing to do, it should be a choice.

[Tender Branson]

Don't know how such a thing could be enforced in the US ...

[DS0816]

The powerful in this country doesn't want everyone voting. They certainly don't want it to be mandatory as, for example, it is mandatory that we file income taxes. If people were legally required to participate in voting, that would make them more informed. The powerful are more than comfy with the status quo.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Don't know how such a thing could be enforced in the US ...

Justice Roberts: "The voting individual mandate survives as a tax." So it'd be the opposite of a poll tax.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

I think voting should be mandatory.

But I've known a lot of folks who won't even register to vote because they're afraid of getting called in for jury duty. Ooh, jury duty, how traumatic.

[BaconBacon96]

NO.

It makes voting a chore, not a choice and instead what you get is people donkey voting, voting for retarded candidates because they're the most entertaining and more and more detrimental populist campaigning. I tell you, compulsory voting does not make voters more informed. Instead, all the uninformed people are voting as well. The politicians are trying to be everything to everyone and it does not make for good politics.

[Flake]

I think a great way to increase voter turnout (especially with poor and young people), every federal election is a federal holiday, and we can give a (small) tax cut to those who vote.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

NO.

It makes voting a chore, not a choice and instead what you get is people donkey voting, voting for retarded candidates because they're the most entertaining and more and more detrimental populist campaigning. I tell you, compulsory voting does not make voters more informed. Instead, all the uninformed people are voting as well. The politicians are trying to be everything to everyone and it does not make for good politics.

Unlike current elections where only informed people vote