Would you support compulsory voting?

[B-Fly]

I was just in a meeting with an Australian, who told me about their compulsory voting laws, backed up with small ($10) and then moderate ($50) fines and potential loss of driver's license for chronic non voters. Several other democracies apparently require eligible voters to vote, and experts suggest that it "works" with respect to driving more moderate candidates/results and with respect to governments that are more broadly representative of the population being served across all socio-economic strata.

https://www.businessinsider.com/compulsory-voting-what-if-americans-have-to-vote-2016-11

What do you all think?

[baldgriff]

NO - voting is a right and choice of each individual.

Again, in my mind once the government compels you to do something - you no longer have the right.

[revo]

That would be a boon for the Dems. GOP would never go for it.

[DMT]

I would support it if employers were mandated to provide time off or if elections were declared holidays.

[Judge Jude]

In the U.S., we're not too big on "compulsory" anything. the word itself is creepy.

making the voting process easier, that's a different story.

[baldgriff]

In the U.S., we're not too big on "compulsory" anything. the word itself is creepy.

making the voting process easier, that's a different story.

This! Of course how we fix the voting process is always a matter of discussion. We have to stop allowing Gerrymandering.

[B-Fly]

That would be a boon for the Dems. GOP would never go for it.

On some issues, maybe. But it would presumably wrest control of the Democratic Party's agenda away from overeducated, holier-than-thou elitist SJW's like me, right?

[baldgriff]

Actually - in some instances you could see people wasting their vote by just walking in and doing random selection of candidates - or the first name on the ballot - or other non-educated methods of casting a required/mandatory vote.

I dont want people voting that dont want to take their vote seriously.

[B-Fly]

In the U.S., we're not too big on "compulsory" anything. the word itself is creepy.

making the voting process easier, that's a different story.

Is compulsory elementary and secondary education "creepy"? How about compulsory registration with Selective Service? Compulsory tax payments?

Rather than just reacting to "compulsory", what do you view as the cost-benefit analysis specific to the question of compulsory voting?

[baldgriff]

Currently lazy people just dont vote. IF you force them to vote you will get what I mentioned above lazy votes. People walking in and checking anything just to not be fined the "no voting" charge.

The only benefit I imagine it having is an absolute list of who can and cant vote.

[TranaGreg]

what problem would be addressed through compulsory voting?

I kinda think the opposite - we should limit voting to those who could pass a basic test ...

[B-Fly]

Currently lazy people just dont vote. IF you force them to vote you will get what I mentioned above lazy votes. People walking in and checking anything just to not be fined the "no voting" charge.

The only benefit I imagine it having is an absolute list of who can and cant vote.

I think it's not that hard to create non-partisan voter guides that quickly run down candidates' stated positions across key issues. Ultimately, I think your fear of people walking in and randomly checking off names to avoid the fine is probably exaggerated, but there probably is a risk that low information compulsory voters would be even more inclined than higher information voluntary voters to cast default votes based on "team"/assumed demographic affinity.

[B-Fly]

what problem would be addressed through compulsory voting?

I kinda think the opposite - we should limit voting to those who could pass a basic test ...

Are you aware of the history in the US of such tests? They have almost always been used as a tool to disenfranchise the poor/people of color.

[TranaGreg]

Are you aware of the history in the US of such tests? They have almost always been used as a tool to disenfranchise the poor/people of color.

yes; I should have used a smiley there, I wasn't serious

[In the Corn]

I think it's not that hard to create non-partisan voter guides that quickly run down candidates' stated positions across key issues. Ultimately, I think your fear of people walking in and randomly checking off names to avoid the fine is probably exaggerated, but there probably is a risk that low information compulsory voters would be even more inclined than higher information voluntary voters to cast default votes based on "team"/assumed demographic affinity.

So we're going to fine people for not voting? Are we offering rides to the polling booth?

Where is the literature you're suggesting got to be handed out or placed?

A don't think mandating people to vote is the answer. Educating people why their vote matters is a better strategy.