Technically there isnt, more countries are looking at this option, there was a major discussion of it in the UK last year and is still talked about and I think this quote is bang on.
Also in that link is a rundown of how the Aussies do things. Since the US is failing democratically (ie less than half the population is voting is the country democratic or going with the flow? I could tangent and say the US is actually autocratic since the sole power lies in the hands of the lobbyist that will fund anybody to do their bidding, military–industrial complex being the shadiest etc etc) drastic measures that increases inclusion can only be for the better.
That said even though personally I think the constitutional right not to vote is a ton of shit (cause they can simply amend such if thing if it was black and white) I believe ultimately the power to vote is up to the individual and it is for politicians to get people involved via transparency in their actions and actually doing their damn job and working for the people.
In Scotland last year, even though we didnt get the result we wanted we had historical high levels of people at the polling booth, 85% basically because dem assholes in power were finally talking our language.
I think for a lot of people it will be a good thing for the US, for a lot of knuckle draggers they will laugh at this idea and fuck emselves cause it was Obama who suggested it and for the rest they will go against the grain cause they are either not into politics at all, too lazy or just dont want another law that bids them to do something.
The troll answer would be forcing people to vote who dont want too and they cast that grudge vote like I dunno if the KKK have a party but that kind of bullshit where people tick a box for the sake of ticking it without any due consideration. I dont see any evidence however where that significantly leads to anything.
To sum it up on my personal opinion on the matter, I say you guys should give it a shot, an extra 90 million voices or whatever might make a big difference and if it doesnt then fuck it, scrap it. Aint got nothing to lose except for 10mins.
The number of eligible voters that will be forced to vote if this law goes into effect will undoubtedly be in the 9-figure area. I’m going to say 150-200 million more people will have to vote.
Didn’t get a chance to look at it. I’m working and just going off by what I know or vaguely remember. But that sounds right. A LOT of people don’t vote in the U.S.
So the guy who raised a billion dollars last campaign wants people to vote to lessen the impact of money in politics? Mr. Wall street is bad for america but I’m gonna go ahead and let them line my pockets fatter than any republican? Mandatory voting isn’t going to do anything as long as Super PACs exist.
Even though we don’t have something like this up here in Canada, I was never against the idea since we’ve got a lot of parties and I’ve always felt you lose a bunch of right to bitch about a government getting put in power if you didn’t go and vote to try and stop it or something.
We just have to deal with the French only voting French, Maritimes voting erratically, BC voting green, the prairies only voting for what specifically benefits them, and Ontario throwing our votes away. No fucking clue if the Eskimos even vote. Doubt their vote matters, I think the population of Nunavut is like 1000 people.
Sometimes you go overboard writing out long essay post. Today I am not in the mood to read a wall of text no matter how informative it is. Nothing personal just feeling lazy today.
Voting should be mandatory, yes. Voters should need to produce some form of ID, yes.
How the fuck does America constantly lecture other countries, calling itself the freest and most democratic country in the world, when it practices such ridiculously primitive voting practices, I’ll never understand.
Edit: And Wtf, yes. Election Day should be a public holiday. What the hell is wrong with you, America?
