Mandatory voting

[Dystopia]

I'm having Soviet flashbacks.

I think your analogy is too extreme, there's civilized countries that have mandatory voting - In the case of the Soviets, it was only workers and the labour class who got to vote, but that was irrelevant anyway because communist regimes, unlike fascist ones, didn't depend on the will of the people and populism, but merely on the "revolution"

[Thumpalumpacus]

Rather than make voting mandatory, make it illegal to use private funds of any sort for any campaign activity at any time. Require that all campaign activities be publicly financed. And then get rid of televised ads.

Now, I vote, but I still love much of what ole George has to say here:

[Dystopia]

Why should you get rid of televised adds? As long as all candidates have equal opportunity to promote their program, I think it's one of the best ways to reach out the electorate.

I don't disagree with the public financing part because some parties have more money than others.

[Minimalist]

and how much money will states make in tax revenue as well as save in prison costs?

The cops can't risk that.

[Esquilax]

I'm having Soviet flashbacks.

That's a bit exaggerated, don't you think? Australia had mandatory voting, and that was something that only impacted my time for maybe half an hour on voting days; it certainly didn't make my country some soviet bloc country.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Why should you get rid of televised adds?

Because in America, they have become the major vehicle for attack ads disseminating misinformation about opponents, rather than policy concerns.

[Mister Agenda]

My basis for not voting is that I do not care for any of the chosen candidates, and writing in my own candidate would be useless.

Most voters erroneously believe there is a distinct difference between democrats and republicans, when the reality is that both parties are owned by the same corporations.

A protest vote (for a write-in or a third party, for instance) actually sends the message that you're not happy with what the major parties are offering. Staying home is like saying you're fine with either major party candidate.

[popeyespappy]

My basis for not voting is that I do not care for any of the chosen candidates, and writing in my own candidate would be useless.

Most voters erroneously believe there is a distinct difference between democrats and republicans, when the reality is that both parties are owned by the same corporations.

A protest vote (for a write-in or a third party, for instance) actually sends the message that you're not happy with what the major parties are offering. Staying home is like saying you're fine with either major party candidate.

I still like the idea of a none vote where the current candidates are disqualified and another election must be held if the nones are the majority.

[Minimalist]

But Pap, why do you think the result would be any different?

[KevinM1]

My basis for not voting is that I do not care for any of the chosen candidates, and writing in my own candidate would be useless.

Most voters erroneously believe there is a distinct difference between democrats and republicans, when the reality is that both parties are owned by the same corporations.

And yet, G W Bush.