Mandatory Voting

11/23/2020

Mandatory Voting?
It is suggested in Our Common Purpose: amacad.org, Strategy 2: Empower Voters, “that voting in federal elections be a requirement of citizenship, just as jury service is in the states.” Australia requires mandatory attendance at the polls allowing “none of the above” as a vote. Voting turnout increased to 90% from a low of 50% before the mandate.

What, in your opinion, are the pros and cons to the United States adopting a version of the Australian system of mandatory attendance at the polls?
Kelly Davis

6 Comments

kristina flanagan

11/24/2020 07:19:41 am

Thanks, Kelly! Goodness, I sure wish we could do this, but as I listen to Dr. Fauci on mandatory masking and why it won't work, I'm doubting that any mandatory anything will just reveal the divisions we have and make them stronger. Even mandatory seat belts and texting rules have failed us. What about mandatory mail in options....sending ballots out everywhere, as a step in the direction of full participation? This election we really got somewhere with that

SusanHaase

11/24/2020 01:51:36 pm

A Requirement of citizenship? You've got my vote. And let's add mandatory service of all 18 year olds -- not necessarily military as in Israel, but perhaps Americorps, or something similar -- 2 years to give instead of take -- 2 years to mature before college or work internships. 2years to meet teenagers from different walks of life. 2 years to break down prejudices based on Uncle Al's holiday rants. I'm all for anything reinforcing citizenship comes with responsibility. HOW TO GET THERE? No idea.

Virginia McCallum

11/24/2020 03:26:09 pm

Much as I agree with Susan about voting and 2 years of service with option for military or other -- reluctantly, I think Kristine is right. It isn't the right time and any moves in that direction will just land us back in the hands of the far right. Many Republicans tell me they wanted to be rid of Trump but are pleased with the Republican wins for the House and Senate due to their conviction Democrats will go far left if given the opportunity.
As is usual, no rational reason for that -- and my take is we don't want to give them any reason to confirm their impression.

Marcy Litzenberg link

11/28/2020 01:16:32 pm

Great conversation. Not only are everybody's points well taken - they are all made so well! I agree with everything!
One thought I have after reading these comments is that, given all the factors that make it hard to mandate voting is our collective resistance to mandates, maybe we would be better off providing incentives, rather than mandates. Like making Election Day a national holiday, making voting by mail or online as easy as ordering from Amazon.com, and possibly giving an automatic income tax rebate to people who do vote.

And a resounding yes to National Service! (Though if you have bone spurs you might need an exemption.)

Jody Larson

12/1/2020 02:38:50 pm

When I did the local vote-by-mail study several years ago, I did some research on voting approaches in other states. A few had tried voting on a weekend day (Sunday) for local races, and it did not improve voting rates at all. I also found research saying that in some countries that require voting, votes are bought and sold rather regularly. I'd be very cautious about mandating voting. I hate to pour cold water on these ideas, but I'd sure like LWVUS to do a study on them. They are more fraught than it would appear.

I love the idea of mandated service, however. And a return to an emphasis on civics in education! STEM and STEAM are important, but civics is essential, in my view. What do you think?

Georgia BBW link

12/12/2022 12:01:34 am

Nice poost

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Mandatory Voting

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