Should voting be mandatory?

nocturnal. Making voting mandatory would mean a bunch of informed people would walk into the booth and just pull a lever.

So what you're saying is that if Canada/ US were to make voting mandatory people would become informed but they'd still just walk into the booth and pull a lever and leave??? That's some mighty fine logic there.

The.Natty.VeganSo what you're saying is that if Canada/ US were to make voting mandatory people would become informed but they'd still just walk into the booth and pull a lever and leave??? That's some mighty fine logic there.

Where is this assumption that people who didn't care before will take the time and read up tomorrow if the law gets passed now? They don't care who gets put into office so they don't vote. The equivalent to that is showing up because your forced too and picking someone at random then going on about your day like before.

nocturnalWhere is this assumption that people who didn't care before will take the time and read up tomorrow if the law gets passed now? They don't care who gets put into office so they don't vote. The equivalent to that is showing up because your forced too and picking someone at random then going on about your day like before.

I get the assumption that it forces people to at least know a few issues because of my own anecdotal experience living in a country where voting is mandatory.

The majority of people I've met don't want to vote for a random because they fear of voting in a party which goes against their opinions. So they at least know a few issues. Sure you can make the case that voting on a few issues is dumb. But people already do it. People will vote for Sanders because of legal weed, people will vote for Trump because he said he's building a wall. People will vote for Clinton because she's a woman and people will vote for Carson because he said some dumb shit about christianity or whatever.

I also think it's raised the level of political intelligence in Australia. Comparing the political ads I've seen in Australia and the political ads I've seen in Canada and the US. Canada and the US seem to have far more ads which play on people's emotions. Just like the conservative ads like "Trudeau isn't ready".

Australia also has less political corruption and a higher rate of satisfaction with our democracy and government.

We also have a government which compromises on a lot of issues and a government that also listens to the people.

This is why I think mandatory voting has benefited Australia and may benefit the US. Sure you can link Brazil and say it won't help. But mandatory voting is an issue with so many variables the formula A=B=C and so on does not apply. A and B being countries with mandatory voting and C being the US. And yes I just made that formula up.

The.Natty.VeganI get the assumption that it forces people to at least know a few issues because of my own anecdotal experience living in a country where voting is mandatory.

The majority of people I've met don't want to vote for a random because they fear of voting in a party which goes against their opinions. So they at least know a few issues. Sure you can make the case that voting on a few issues is dumb. But people already do it. People will vote for Sanders because of legal weed, people will vote for Trump because he said he's building a wall. People will vote for Clinton because she's a woman and people will vote for Carson because he said some dumb shit about christianity or whatever.

I also think it's raised the level of political intelligence in Australia. Comparing the political ads I've seen in Australia and the political ads I've seen in Canada and the US. Canada and the US seem to have far more ads which play on people's emotions. Just like the conservative ads like "Trudeau isn't ready".

Australia also has less political corruption and a higher rate of satisfaction with our democracy and government.

We also have a government which compromises on a lot of issues and a government that also listens to the people.

This is why I think mandatory voting has benefited Australia and may benefit the US. Sure you can link Brazil and say it won't help. But mandatory voting is an issue with so many variables the formula A=B=C and so on does not apply. A and B being countries with mandatory voting and C being the US. And yes I just made that formula up.

People will not become smarter and start caring. Government will be run by the same two meaningless parties that will never get anything done. Voting in the usa doesn't matter.

nocturnalPeople will not become smarter and start caring. Government will be run by the same two meaningless parties that will never get anything done. Voting in the usa doesn't matter.

I used to think this way. I honestly thought it was all a big sham and it didn't matter which candidate was in office because they were all part of the same useless structure (and to a large extent, this is still a bit true). That was until George W. Bush got elected and he definitely proved (to me at least) that if we don't work to put someone who knows his ass from a hole in the ground, we will get put into some very shitty situations. The man knew absolutely nothing about governing a country and was a mere puppet to his cronies, Cheney & Rumsfeld.

I definitely don't think the world was amazing under Clinton, but at least we ran with a budget surplus for a little bit.

onenerdykidI used to think this way. I honestly thought it was all a big sham and it didn't matter which candidate was in office because they were all part of the same useless structure (and to a large extent, this is still a bit true). That was until George W. Bush got elected and he definitely proved (to me at least) that if we don't work to put someone who knows his ass from a hole in the ground, we will get put into some very shitty situations. The man knew absolutely nothing about governing a country and was a mere puppet to his cronies, Cheney & Rumsfeld.

I definitely don't think the world was amazing under Clinton, but at least we ran with a budget surplus for a little bit.

Until somebody comes out so that both parties can agree on, and work together I won't be voting.

nocturnalUntil somebody comes out so that both parties can agree on, and work together I won't be voting.

I don't disagree with you, but this is what happens in a two party system. There is never going to be one person who can unite 2 diametrically opposed sides. A multi-party system will achieve this better than a 2 party system.

nocturnalPeople will not become smarter and start caring. Government will be run by the same two meaningless parties that will never get anything done. Voting in the usa doesn't matter.

nocturnalPeople will not become smarter and start caring. Government will be run by the same two meaningless parties that will never get anything done. Voting in the usa doesn't matter.

not with that attitude you moany cunt

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/792978/SouthPark---39---39-Vote-or-Die--39---39--HD-Clip

AlsoKnownAsIt kind of blows my mind that people in here would rather have people go and vote for some random candidate just to vote, than stay home.

making the assumption that im saying people should not be educated about who they vote for.

AlsoKnownAsThis is just dumb. If you want to vote, you go and vote, if you want to abstain, you stay home and don't vote.

Pretty easy.

Yes that is the current system. Excellent summary! One problem, you are assuming it is that easy and that our election system currently is representative of the people which it is not really.

What about the people that want to vote but can't take time off work to vote or don't have a car to get to the voting center.

roddy116making the assumption that im saying people should not be educated about who they vote for.

Because people are really going to decide to educate themselves. You could find out anything you could ever want on the internet, yet people are still incredibly ignorant.

SamtheEagleYes that is the current system. Excellent summary! One problem, you are assuming it is that easy and that our election system currently is representative of the people which it is not really.

What about the people that want to vote but can't take time off work to vote or don't have a car to get to the voting center.

More than half the states have laws where you can take off during work to get to the polls. There is also the option to vote earlym also absentee ballots.

But please, be a dick, and then go on to post ridiculous reasons to support your ideas.

Also, how is it not representative of the people? The electoral college? You didn't mention anything about that so I'm guessing not, and even if you were, I think the electoral college is stupid anyway.

If you're talking about the candidates not representing the people, having more people making a random choice at the polls because of mandatory voting will simply increase the likeliness of some doucher rep or dem will win.

AlsoKnownAsBecause people are really going to decide to educate themselves. You could find out anything you could ever want on the internet, yet people are still incredibly ignorant.



More than half the states have laws where you can take off during work to get to the polls. There is also the option to vote earlym also absentee ballots.

But please, be a dick, and then go on to post ridiculous reasons to support your ideas.

Also, how is it not representative of the people? The electoral college? You didn't mention anything about that so I'm guessing not, and even if you were, I think the electoral college is stupid anyway.

If you're talking about the candidates not representing the people, having more people making a random choice at the polls because of mandatory voting will simply increase the likeliness of some doucher rep or dem will win.

Clearly you didn't read my first posts in here. There is little to no evidence to support people will vote for a random candidate. In fact, based on most nations where voting is mandatory, or at least where you have to opt out, it increases participation and approval ratings of officials.

Yes states may have laws to allow people to take time off work to vote but for low income people who need the hours/ money that isn't an option. Similarly, elderly and poor people often don't have the ability to make it to polling centers and deserve a say.

By not representative I mean the candidates who get elected would not always get elected if everyone voted. The us population is much more liberal than the representatives suggest. If every American voted we would have a lot more democrats in office.

SamtheEagleClearly you didn't read my first posts in here. There is little to no evidence to support people will vote for a random candidate. In fact, based on most nations where voting is mandatory, or at least where you have to opt out, it increases participation and approval ratings of officials.

Yes states may have laws to allow people to take time off work to vote but for low income people who need the hours/ money that isn't an option. Similarly, elderly and poor people often don't have the ability to make it to polling centers and deserve a say.

By not representative I mean the candidates who get elected would not always get elected if everyone voted. The us population is much more liberal than the representatives suggest. If every American voted we would have a lot more democrats in office.

Elderly people who are too old to make it out, well, how they might not even be alive when the president gets into office. Also if their families love them theres that.

And again, what about early voting or absentee ballots?

I mean, the majority of the time the same candidate would win, and id not, omg the shitty replublican guy loses so we can get the shitty democrat guy. Awesome. And if you think forcing people to vote is going to somehow make people skip the main parties and vote for legitimate people, you're crazy.

LOL, it's all about the shifts. Being a rep is going out, and being a dem is coming in. If you really think having a dem vs a rep makes some important difference I feel bad for you. Inb4 you're not even 18 yet and have an "obama 2012" bumper sticker on your bicycle.

PS: I'm just cranky cause my head hurts

AlsoKnownAsElderly people who are too old to make it out, well, how they might not even be alive when the president gets into office. Also if their families love them theres that.

And again, what about early voting or absentee ballots?

I mean, the majority of the time the same candidate would win, and id not, omg the shitty replublican guy loses so we can get the shitty democrat guy. Awesome. And if you think forcing people to vote is going to somehow make people skip the main parties and vote for legitimate people, you're crazy.

LOL, it's all about the shifts. Being a rep is going out, and being a dem is coming in. If you really think having a dem vs a rep makes some important difference I feel bad for you. Inb4 you're not even 18 yet and have an "obama 2012" bumper sticker on your bicycle.

PS: I'm just cranky cause my head hurts

I agree early voting and absentee ballots are awesome and help turnout. Thats why I think we should utilize those more... basically to the extent where everyone over 18 living in a house gets a ballot at their registered address and if they don't respond someone is sent to their home to get a response even if it is them abstaining from voting (like the census where you have to respond but the first question is if they would like to abstain so if they say yes the interview is over and therefore it would be easier to abstain than listen to the boring gov worker ask you more questions).

Yes some elderly people have families but some don't and they still should have a say.

Rep vs Dem does make a difference. Lets look at things like the Keystone XL pipeline for example as the most recent example of it making a difference. I would argue it makes a difference more now than ever because representatives solely vote along party lines (which is a fundamental problem itself). I agree, it is solely about shifts these days but I think you are jaded and you more have a problem with the fact that 1. to get elected candidates have to appeal to special interests and 2. that to get reelected they have to appeal to their party leaders and not their constituents.

I don't think we really disagree that much, I just think that you are taking a realist approach and saying in the current political system we can't have mandatory voting because candidates suck and I am saying Idealistically mandatory voting would eliminate some of the issues behind the current political system.

rational ignorance, its not worth peoples time to fully learn about candidates and issues because they think their vote wont matter anyway, people will always choose to be ignorant when voting and that will increase a hell of a lot if voting was mandatory.