Of course, "we" could provide a similar effort by automatically registering everyone to vote when they turn 18. Then make voting mandatory. (Like in Australia). Voting day would be a national holiday - Saturday? Or Vote by mail. You can select any candidate (I LOVE RCV) or just check none o…
Of course, "we" could provide a similar effort by automatically registering everyone to vote when they turn 18. Then make voting mandatory. (Like in Australia). Voting day would be a national holiday - Saturday? Or Vote by mail. You can select any candidate (I LOVE RCV) or just check none of the above and mail it in. But for a couple of minutes, you HAVE to think about it.
How to enforce that? Require an "I voted" card in order to drive or buy booze or get into a concert or get married or eat at a restaurant...
I'm comfortable with making voting a requirement for every citizen - are you?
I’d come at it a bit differently, with a carrot instead of a stick, when it comes to ‘mandatory’ voting. Don’t exactly know what Australia’s ‘penalties’ are, but I’d do something to encourage voting, by, say, giving vouchers for food/housing/health care with possession of the ‘I voted’ card you describe.
Agree totally with automatic voter registration when a person turns 18, as well as your national holiday Election Day idea. But because many would still have to work on that day, I would also mandate a 10-day early voting period, letting the states decide whether that be consecutive days or slightly spread out.
I think a person has the right to choose not to vote without penalty, as that is itself a vote, from a philosophical standpoint. Better to go the encouragement route as opposed to the penalty one, imo.
Tom! That's a brilliant idea. I wish I was rich.
Of course, "we" could provide a similar effort by automatically registering everyone to vote when they turn 18. Then make voting mandatory. (Like in Australia). Voting day would be a national holiday - Saturday? Or Vote by mail. You can select any candidate (I LOVE RCV) or just check none of the above and mail it in. But for a couple of minutes, you HAVE to think about it.
How to enforce that? Require an "I voted" card in order to drive or buy booze or get into a concert or get married or eat at a restaurant...
I'm comfortable with making voting a requirement for every citizen - are you?
I’d come at it a bit differently, with a carrot instead of a stick, when it comes to ‘mandatory’ voting. Don’t exactly know what Australia’s ‘penalties’ are, but I’d do something to encourage voting, by, say, giving vouchers for food/housing/health care with possession of the ‘I voted’ card you describe.
Agree totally with automatic voter registration when a person turns 18, as well as your national holiday Election Day idea. But because many would still have to work on that day, I would also mandate a 10-day early voting period, letting the states decide whether that be consecutive days or slightly spread out.
I think a person has the right to choose not to vote without penalty, as that is itself a vote, from a philosophical standpoint. Better to go the encouragement route as opposed to the penalty one, imo.
I like it. "A carrot in in every pot" - if you vote.
Could be a basket of benefits.