Compulsory voting: yes or no?

[Atlanticatia]

I'm not really for compulsory voting as a basis for democracy per se -- but currently, as voter turnout, especially among poor people and minorities, is at all time lows, I can't really think of any other way to fix the problem.

It does sound a bit silly to say "let's fix voter apathy by making it compulsory" -- but let's face it: there's not really a credible alternative.

If someone would like to offer one that would make the government more representative, and get those out to vote who should be voting, be my guest. I'm open to all options.

Orrr.....you give money to schools so they can teach better or whatever and you spin the main focus of school from social and athletic skills and have civics be a class from third grade up to teach kids why they should vote.

I mentioned that in my post.

[The Liberated Territories]

Funnily enough, I think if compulsory voting was instituted in America, then Americans would all vote for the guy that would get rid of it.

[Canovia]

Making voting compulsory is basically a dictatorship. Like you have to vote? What if people don't support either party. Wasn't America suppose to be free. But I'm British so I don't give a damn

[Magna Libero]

What good does it make to be forced to choose between evil candidates that advocate the state?

[The Liberated Territories]

Making voting compulsory is basically a dictatorship. Like you have to vote? What if people don't support either party. Wasn't America suppose to be free. But I'm British so I don't give a damn

Oh really?

You have one queen, and everyone has to vote for her.

[Lavan Tiri]

Orrr.....you give money to schools so they can teach better or whatever and you spin the main focus of school from social and athletic skills and have civics be a class from third grade up to teach kids why they should vote.

I mentioned that in my post.

Yeah, but my way voting is voluntary.

[Atlanticatia]

North Carolina recently signed into a law that will require photo IDs, shorten the early voting period, end pre registration for voters aged 16-17 so they can vote when they're 18, eliminating same day voter registration, only allowing people to vote in their precinct, ending high school voter registration drives, prohibiting some voter registration drives, and preventing counties from extending polling hours in areas where there are long lines for voting.

Regardless of your opinion on compulsory voting, it's clear that certain states are attempting to actively curtail voting rights. And those restrictions on voting rights unfairly affect the young and poor.

[Constantinopolis]

FYI, most places that have compulsory voting include a "none of the above" option in order to allow people to register a protest if they hate all the candidates.

But yes, of course voting should be compulsory. It's not only a right, it is also a duty.

And, as civic duties go, it's a pretty easy one too - it takes, what, a few hours of your life every few years? I don't understand what anyone here is complaining about. Making voting compulsory has literally no downsides.

(and no, "I really needed that half an hour for something else!" doesn't count as a downside)

[Magna Libero]

How is someone unqualified to vote? Universal suffrage means that everyone can vote -- it was meant to replace the system where we thought only certain people were qualified to vote. (i.e. white male landowners)

I understand where you're coming from, but I think that voter apathy and special interests in politics has reached a point where it's starting to seriously damage our political system.

It is up to the voters to reinvigorate themselves to put an end to apathy.

Why should voters care about a statist imaginary construct?

[MERIZoC]

Making voting compulsory is basically a dictatorship. Like you have to vote? What if people don't support either party. Wasn't America suppose to be free. But I'm British so I don't give a damn

More than 2 parties….

[The Greater Luthorian Empire]

Lemme guess....you think suicide should be punished by death?

I'm not really for compulsory voting as a basis for democracy per se -- but currently, as voter turnout, especially among poor people and minorities, is at all time lows, I can't really think of any other way to fix the problem.

It does sound a bit silly to say "let's fix voter apathy by making it compulsory" -- but let's face it: there's not really a credible alternative.

If someone would like to offer one that would make the government more representative, and get those out to vote who should be voting, be my guest. I'm open to all options.

Embrace the voter apathy, why have people vote who don't give a damn? Ideally the voters in society will be highly motivated and enjoy voting and exercising their power. Hell I say we should get rid of more of the less dedicated voters. Allow people to give up their right to vote to never need to be called to jury duty and you can lose a few more not dedicated voters and ensure that those that to vote actually care about it. You could make signing up for selective service a choice for men AND women, those who refuse can't vote, those who agree are willing to defend the country they are voting the leaders for.

Honestly do you think someone forced to vote will suddenly research issues and politicians and make and informed decision or do you think they will just pull the lever of the group they think benefits them more?

[Scomagia]

North Carolina recently signed into a law that will require photo IDs, shorten the early voting period, end pre registration for voters aged 16-17 so they can vote when they're 18, eliminating same day voter registration, only allowing people to vote in their precinct, ending high school voter registration drives, prohibiting some voter registration drives, and preventing counties from extending polling hours in areas where there are long lines for voting.

Regardless of your opinion on compulsory voting, it's clear that certain states are attempting to actively curtail voting rights. And those restrictions on voting rights unfairly affect the young and poor.

That's not to mention the even more egregious disenfranchisement of felons and the "insane."

[Constantinopolis]

Making voting compulsory is basically a dictatorship.

So you think Australia is a dictatorship? And Belgium, too?

[The Serbian Empire]

Hell no, it will hurt the poor and people who are apathetic due to the duopoly of power. If we did something about the duopoly by changing the system then it's a maybe.

[Juristonia]

Forced democracy doesn't make much sense to me.

[Ashyaria]

right so:
if voting is optional, the lazy people of today won't vote... leaving the ballots full of votes from old conservatives and idiots who don't know anything about politics.

now, if voting is mandatory, everyone votes. not just the elderly conservatives who are too dense to know better and their family has been voting conservative for the last 2342342 years. EVERYONE. That includes all of these liberal hippies who, with optional voting, would be too lazy to vote.

most of the people in my year of school are left-minded, very few conservatives.
they can't vote yet, and when they can, they probably won't.


the key to democracy is participation in the system.

[The Serbian Empire]

Making voting compulsory is basically a dictatorship.

So you think Australia is a dictatorship? And Belgium, too?

They might as well be. A dictatorship of people who vote even less informed than Americans just to avoid the fines.

[SaintB]

North Carolina recently signed into a law that will require photo IDs, shorten the early voting period, end pre registration for voters aged 16-17 so they can vote when they're 18, eliminating same day voter registration, only allowing people to vote in their precinct, ending high school voter registration drives, prohibiting some voter registration drives, and preventing counties from extending polling hours in areas where there are long lines for voting.

Regardless of your opinion on compulsory voting, it's clear that certain states are attempting to actively curtail voting rights. And those restrictions on voting rights unfairly affect the young and poor.

But forcing people to vote is not the solution. North Carolina can suck a dick and they should have their new laws shit-canned by the courts but you still shouldn't be forcing people to vote.

[Atlanticatia]

FYI, most places that have compulsory voting include a "none of the above" option in order to allow people to register a protest if they hate all the candidates.

But yes, of course voting should be compulsory. It's not only a right, it is also a duty.

And, as civic duties go, it's a pretty easy one too - it takes, what, a few hours of your life every few years? I don't understand what anyone here is complaining about. Making voting compulsory has literally no downsides.

(and no, "I really needed that half an hour for something else!" doesn't count as a downside)

^ Exactly

Also, as I said in my post, we should have proportional representation. Maybe we could finally put an end to our 2 party system. People don't vote in some cases because of apathy towards the two major parties. If we had proportional representation, we would have a much more representative political system and if someone truly does not want to vote for anyone, they can mark a blank vote.

No one is saying "Choose Democrat or Republican", I'm saying that we should atleast make sure people are making an informed decision to reject any of the main parties, or any other parties, and that they truly don't want to vote.

If we make voting compulsory, and 40% of the people choose "None of the above", then I'll happily agree that voter turnout is all because of disenfranchisement with our political parties. But I see other minor parties popping up, and real political reform and change happening.

I don't see how it is bad for a person to make an informed decision to say "No, I don't want to vote for anyone" rather than just not at least try to commit to their civic duty.

Compulsory voting alone would just be a bandaid for a broken system. If we have compulsory voting, it'd need to be paired with other reforms.

[Magna Libero]

FYI, most places that have compulsory voting include a "none of the above" option in order to allow people to register a protest if they hate all the candidates.

But yes, of course voting should be compulsory. It's not only a right, it is also a duty.

And, as civic duties go, it's a pretty easy one too - it takes, what, a few hours of your life every few years? I don't understand what anyone here is complaining about. Making voting compulsory has literally no downsides.

(and no, "I really needed that half an hour for something else!" doesn't count as a downside)

Voting is a dangerous activity with serious risks. The chances of a vote to improve the election is smaller than the risk of dying in a car crash on the way to the ballot office.

It does count. Watching the state's actions is a waste of time. The last time there was an election over here many people I know needed to study for an entrance examination.

[Scomagia]

right so:
if voting is optional, the lazy people of today won't vote... leaving the ballots full of votes from old conservatives and idiots who don't know anything about politics.

now, if voting is mandatory, everyone votes. not just the elderly conservatives who are too dense to know better and their family has been voting conservative for the last 2342342 years. EVERYONE. That includes all of these liberal hippies who, with optional voting, would be too lazy to vote.

most of the people in my year of school are left-minded, very few conservatives.
they can't vote yet, and when they can, they probably won't.


the key to democracy is participation in the system.

Do you support ending the disenfranchisement of felons?

[MERIZoC]

Hell no, it will hurt the poor and people who are apathetic due to the duopoly of power. If we did something about the duopoly by changing the system then it's a maybe.

Which is why there's often an "abstain" choice. Also, more than 2 parties.

[The Greater Luthorian Empire]

Making voting compulsory is basically a dictatorship.

So you think Australia is a dictatorship? And Belgium, too?

They are certainly tyrannical. Do you think they are better run than other countries that don't have compulsory voting? As I mentioned I don't vote, I don't care, my vote is worthless. If forced to vote I will try to take any bribe I can to vote a certain way since I really don't give a damn. If I get a dollar, that is fine, if someone is willing to pay me $10 or $20 that is great. Any rate will do since I have to do it anyway, it is like someone offering to pay you to stop at a stop sign.

[Davinhia]

Makes as much sense as the death penalty for attempted suicide.[999999999999999]

[The Two Jerseys]

I can think of numerous explanations for what would make one unqualified to vote.
In order to save time, I'll use a Socratic technique: Do you want the same people who make 'Honey Boo-Boo' and 'the Kardashians' television successes determining the course of your country if, as is likely, they make up large segments of the populace who don't vote in political elections?

I'd sooner restrict voting to landowning white males than force those people to vote.