General Discussion

bread_and_roses

(6,335 posts)

31. How democratic. Not.

Wed Mar 18, 2015, 08:35 PM

Mar 2015

All I could think when I saw the header was how that would sing to the authoritarian soul.

Voting is a RIGHT. A right that people have the right to decline to exercise. Just as with speech - I may have the RIGHT to speak to something but CHOOSE not to exercise that right at some times.

Authoritarians always think that compulsion and punishment are the answer to everything.

Give people someone and something to vote for. Show us a government that - by multiple measures and applicable to both parties - gives a hoot what most of us want instead of completely ignoring it. Maybe then more people will go out to vote. As well, as course, as eliminating obstacles and making it as easy as possible.

And yes, I know about Australia and no, I don't care. Nor do I intend to bother to argue the point. I will instead exercise my RIGHT to choose not to speak.

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BREAKING: President Obama Wants To Propose 'Mandatory Voting.' It would change everything. [View all] kpete Mar 2015 OP

I think we should make it a weekend long party! annabanana Mar 2015 #1

You're absolutely right, I'm all for this...n/t monmouth4 Mar 2015 #2

+1/ n/t Jefferson23 Mar 2015 #3

Vote naked! shenmue Mar 2015 #12

That would really dick with mindwalker_i Mar 2015 #16

Very few people would want to see me naked, voting or not. Half-Century Man Mar 2015 #35

Meh, you're just fine! The reflection from my HAIR can be seen from space! calimary Mar 2015 #73

Sounds like you are doing it right. Thor_MN Mar 2015 #125

Pfft! Enthusiast Mar 2015 #170

Only if I can choose who's there! LOL! RKP5637 Mar 2015 #194

Yeah baby! passiveporcupine Mar 2015 #17

I agree with that, the length of voting should be at least 1-2 weeks and in fact July cstanleytech Mar 2015 #36

TOO HOT! cynzke Mar 2015 #173

One or two weeks; what lines? n/t A Simple Game Mar 2015 #177

Exactly. Not to mention the elderly would still have the option of mailing in their ballots. nt cstanleytech Mar 2015 #210

As long as we are making a wish list; A Simple Game Mar 2015 #232

Add to that list swilton Mar 2015 #292

yeehaaaww! certainot Mar 2015 #103

Nice! ....sans the fireworks for the sake of the pups�2x per year is enough. :) C Moon Mar 2015 #145

I'll raise your mandatory voting and add Publicly Funded Elections and outlaw campaign contributions Dustlawyer Mar 2015 #190

Also require employers to give one of those two days off. jeff47 Mar 2015 #229

Would this require a constitutional amendment or would simple legislation do it? totodeinhere Mar 2015 #4

it would be challenged on free speech grounds ProdigalJunkMail Mar 2015 #19

Just attach a rider which say you can preregister to not vote each election. Half-Century Man Mar 2015 #37

Why do we need extra bureaucracy and red tape NobodyHere Mar 2015 #99

I am answering a question about a counterpoint to a speculated scenario. Half-Century Man Mar 2015 #109

Actually Oregon recently did something like this. Sheepshank Mar 2015 #227

They could just do what Oregon did and make it so everyone is registered automatically cstanleytech Mar 2015 #41

this could work... n/t ProdigalJunkMail Mar 2015 #61

that really does seem like the best solution renate Mar 2015 #83

Yup and if they get the IRS, Social Security and varies federal agencies involved it might help cstanleytech Mar 2015 #106

That is a good idea! Also IMO voting should be standardized across the nation. Far too many states RKP5637 Mar 2015 #200

That would definitely take a Constitutional amendment SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #309

One thing that does bother me about mandatory voting, and maybe more, is that some people RKP5637 Mar 2015 #316

If they can draft you, SCVDem Mar 2015 #49

well, there is no constitutional provision which prohibits a draft... ProdigalJunkMail Mar 2015 #60

There is the option of casting a blank ballot. subterranean Mar 2015 #91

A "None of the Above" line would take away that objection bklyncowgirl Mar 2015 #201

We would be doing a lot of elections. nt tjl148 Mar 2015 #212

Only if you were required to vote for someone. jeff47 Mar 2015 #230

If sitting on jury is a duty .. then so is voting. You need to enforce voting just as much srican69 Mar 2015 #268

the constitution disagrees with you ProdigalJunkMail Mar 2015 #277

Who's going to challenge it.... Someone who doesn't vote??? grahamhgreen Mar 2015 #297

I think it would require a constitutional amendment. Yo_Mama Mar 2015 #55

Well if that's the case it's not gonna happen. totodeinhere Mar 2015 #65

It's not going to happen either way. Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #140

So have a "none" line on the ballot. jeff47 Mar 2015 #231

I don't think that suffices. Not voting qualifies as expressive conduct in a different way. n/t Yo_Mama Mar 2015 #301

It's not going to happen, and the president saying "hey- neat idea" doesnt mean he's actually Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #139

We're so lucky to have your cynicism to correct us. Demit Mar 2015 #185

Gloom and Doom is for Republicans...who are those that agree with them? Why?? Fred Sanders Mar 2015 #191

Sure, Fred. Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #223

Oh, it's not only not going to happen immediately, it is never going to happen. Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #218

Why would you expect that compulsory voting would make people vote D? Demit Mar 2015 #270

One) I said the opposite- I DON'T think, necessarily, compulsory voting would make people vote D. Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #307

Your comment at #139 was snottiness ground zero, for the record. Demit Mar 2015 #317

1) is way more feasable than forcing everyone to vote. Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #322

I am obviously no match for your emoticons. Demit Mar 2015 #325

That law about mandatory voting, let me know when that happens, okay? Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #328

++++ swilton Mar 2015 #295

Not a bad idea, but probably unconstitutional. ARMYofONE Mar 2015 #5

You can vote "none of the above" gcomeau Mar 2015 #23

Message auto-removed Name removed Mar 2015 #117

Only in the most trivial of senses. gcomeau Mar 2015 #209

Include Presidential election day as a holiday to coincide with mandatory mfcorey1 Mar 2015 #6

Make it than one day available for voting... awoke_in_2003 Mar 2015 #62

Many states already have laws guaranteeing time off to vote. Thor_MN Mar 2015 #127

No, the President can't do it by EO, it would take a Constitutional Amendment GGJohn Mar 2015 #97

Would probably only require a law, not an amendment. jeff47 Mar 2015 #235

No, it would require a constitutional amendment, GGJohn Mar 2015 #334

And turning in a blank ballot would allow that speech. (nt) jeff47 Mar 2015 #343

Very true, but it would still require a constitutional admendment GGJohn Mar 2015 #344

Only if a blank ballot did not provide the equivalent speech jeff47 Mar 2015 #346

But to force citizens to vote would require a constitutional amendment, GGJohn Mar 2015 #348

Won't work. Some people will still have to work that day. jeff47 Mar 2015 #234

The hits just keep on coming! It's like the Silver Dollar Survey!!! HereSince1628 Mar 2015 #7

You mean one of these?.... pkdu Mar 2015 #146

Yes sort of...even that one's not an option for 2015 Mini-Coopers HereSince1628 Mar 2015 #168

They were actually those ultra-slow 16 2/3 RPM records. Systematic Chaos Mar 2015 #225

Terrible idea. Talk about uninformed voters. We have enough idiots now voting based..... Logical Mar 2015 #8

perhaps uninformed is better than misinformed. eom rogerashton Mar 2015 #64

Yes, only the right people should be allowed to vote. jeff47 Mar 2015 #236

LOL, So you LOVE the money in politics! Nt Logical Mar 2015 #284

If money had the effect you think, CA would have a different governor. jeff47 Mar 2015 #286

When did I say a test? I just don't want a law to MAKE people vote. nt Logical Mar 2015 #312

Precisely swilton Mar 2015 #296

Totally agree LiberalLovinLug Mar 2015 #299

No thanks n/ t SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #9

How about a holiday off instead so more folks could vote. midnight Mar 2015 #10

Yes shenmue Mar 2015 #13

Hi midnight Mar 2015 #33

I don't think it'd work any other way, and he did make an extra holiday to add to another day. freshwest Mar 2015 #159

Someone would still have to work on that holiday jeff47 Mar 2015 #237

Even that is probably silly. What is needed is an election period like an open enrollment TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #341

"If everybody voted, then it would completely change the political map in this country," If everyone Cha Mar 2015 #11

This guy is on a roll. He is saying some awesome shit. namastea42 Mar 2015 #14

where was this guy 6 years ago? PowerToThePeople Mar 2015 #40

He has always been there. namastea42 Mar 2015 #56

I must be Rip Van Winkle PowerToThePeople Mar 2015 #57

You have yourself a good evening. namastea42 Mar 2015 #69

Just edited out by media. The examples are well known. So those who want to know, had to work for it freshwest Mar 2015 #160

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia. Major Hogwash Mar 2015 #95

This is a wonderful idea. Matterate Mar 2015 #15

No, it's a horrible idea. GGJohn Mar 2015 #101

I am definitely in favor of that. Matterate Mar 2015 #116

Some choose to participate by not participating. Might want to read the First Amendment again. Lochloosa Mar 2015 #187

And when your boss requires you to work a 16-hour day? jeff47 Mar 2015 #238

yea your car broke down , your dog ate your shoes , you lost your calendar, your alarm didnt go Romeo.lima333 Mar 2015 #245

Yeah, they should pull themselves up by their bootstraps, even when they're barefoot. jeff47 Mar 2015 #248

well they could wait until their barefoot and naked to start fighting back Romeo.lima333 Mar 2015 #250

Only if you're clueless about poverty. jeff47 Mar 2015 #255

what i know about poverty is that unless you vote your situation isnt going to get much better Romeo.lima333 Mar 2015 #287

Yes, keep kicking those poor people! jeff47 Mar 2015 #290

Yeah, if you believe in treating free adult citizens like errant schoolchildren to be lectured at. Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #336

voting is the act of a free adult, not voting is being an errant school child Romeo.lima333 Mar 2015 #340

I agree that not voting is stupid. And people who don't vote also, to my mind, forfeit their right Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #354

Devil in the details MosheFeingold Mar 2015 #214

What to do? Do like Australia does. Demit Mar 2015 #271

And if they refuse to pay the fine? MosheFeingold Mar 2015 #311

They're sentenced to death I think. Demit Mar 2015 #323

Well, a black man MosheFeingold Mar 2015 #349

No he wasn't. You're conflating the details in that story. Read it again. Demit Mar 2015 #351

It should at least be compulsory liberal N proud Mar 2015 #18

If he does he knows it will not be taken seriously. former9thward Mar 2015 #20

You can accomplish that by turning in a blank ballot. (nt) jeff47 Mar 2015 #239

There are very few things our government can compel a citizen to do. former9thward Mar 2015 #243

Yes, it would be terrible if the youth who were already not voting continued to not vote. jeff47 Mar 2015 #246

You are wrong. former9thward Mar 2015 #252

First, supremacy clause. Second, nationwide 55-mph limit until recently. jeff47 Mar 2015 #253

Wrong again. former9thward Mar 2015 #259

And that 55-mph enticement was in the form of..... jeff47 Mar 2015 #260

TA-DA!!! former9thward Mar 2015 #261

Did you think people would not notice you switched from "doesn't say they can" to jeff47 Mar 2015 #263

Read the Constitution. former9thward Mar 2015 #272

Or no ballot. Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2015 #247

Same message, but one satisfies the "compulsory voting" rule. (nt) jeff47 Mar 2015 #249

I'd like a referendum -- Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2015 #257

Zero. Your point? jeff47 Mar 2015 #258

Oh. I dunno. I think the people might actually pass such a referendum. Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2015 #262

Yeah, a torturous death is so much fun!! jeff47 Mar 2015 #264

"Wanted by you." Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2015 #265

Yes, you do owe so many people. jeff47 Mar 2015 #266

"Everyone gets to have a say in the debate about those costs and benefits." Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2015 #275

And now we move on to the strawman round. jeff47 Mar 2015 #276

"You owe the corporatists at the moment for the food you eat blah blah blah" Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2015 #289

Great idea! spinbaby Mar 2015 #21

Fuck yes. MynameisBlarney Mar 2015 #22

I like the idea, Jamaal510 Mar 2015 #24

you do remember allinthegame Mar 2015 #30

I think Oregon is on to something with automatic voter registration. AtomicKitten Mar 2015 #25

that is a good idea. I do think also that there could be more incentives to vote. CTyankee Mar 2015 #51

I like the idea of some sort of reward. AtomicKitten Mar 2015 #138

glad you appreciate it. I was kinda speculating... CTyankee Mar 2015 #205

I've got an idea Man from Pickens Mar 2015 #152

funny AtomicKitten Mar 2015 #156

Don't bother with local businesses for free stuff. Just send people cash. (nt) jeff47 Mar 2015 #241

I thought about that but had some concerns that a system of cash payments could be hijacked by one CTyankee Mar 2015 #273

You might be surprised at the length people will go (lefties and righties, both) Ineeda Mar 2015 #279

(insert argumentative shenanigan here) jeff47 Mar 2015 #282

Right Wing Heads to 'xplode in 3 .... 2 ..... 1 Botany Mar 2015 #26

A mandatory vote vt_native Mar 2015 #27

I prefer allinthegame Mar 2015 #28

Can it be done via executive order - TBF Mar 2015 #29

No, it can't. GGJohn Mar 2015 #102

I don't know if I'm 100% of mandatory anything - TBF Mar 2015 #171

How democratic. Not. bread_and_roses Mar 2015 #31

Actually his opinion is based solidly in our Constitution. cstanleytech Mar 2015 #45

Of course the President has a right to his opinion. christx30 Mar 2015 #350

What imposing? He expressed an opinion he didnt say you or anyone else has to agree with it. cstanleytech Mar 2015 #356

But he's talking about making it mandatory. christx30 Mar 2015 #357

OMG you are right, we are all doomed because someone is talking about something that cstanleytech Mar 2015 #358

Voting is not a right, constitutionally speaking hugo_from_TN Mar 2015 #305

I don't have a right not to file my taxes either. harun Mar 2015 #320

Who said anything about the constitution? I'm a woman bread_and_roses Mar 2015 #338

YES PLEASE!!!! ut oh Mar 2015 #32

Now THAT's what I'm talkin' about! world wide wally Mar 2015 #34

"gave support to the idea" is not "wants to propose" Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #38

Bingo--you've parsed his actual POV skillfully and accurately, and succinctly too!!!! nt MADem Mar 2015 #164

Wingnuts are freaking out C_U_L8R Mar 2015 #39

Of course they're freaking out. Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #44

I'm sure you could post "Wingnuts are freaking out" with any news item and it'd be correct Chathamization Mar 2015 #53

See, cultural exchange with North Korea is bringing advances. n/t jtuck004 Mar 2015 #42

How about we just start with universal vote by mail? Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #43

I said the same thing at the same time up thread cstanleytech Mar 2015 #48

Indeed. Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #135

WaPo: A Case for a Compulsory Voting cyberswede Mar 2015 #46

How ''democratic and freedom-loving'' of him to think of this. DeSwiss Mar 2015 #47

Its honestly very freedom loving if you think about it. cstanleytech Mar 2015 #52

as much as some don't like it, not voting is freedom of speech. Just because you don't like it liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #293

I am not disagreeing with you but on the other hand something does need to be done cstanleytech Mar 2015 #310

More voters would turn out if we did something about the corruption in the system. liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #314

I've been saying this for years nt LiberalElite Mar 2015 #50

The repubs won't like this... Dr Hobbitstein Mar 2015 #54

This is ridiculous Vots Mar 2015 #58

having the Kochs buy elections is even more shivery. namastea42 Mar 2015 #70

TYRANNY! IMPEACH! OBAMA IS FORCING DEMOCRACY UPON US! JaneyVee Mar 2015 #74

... Vots Mar 2015 #134

Australia has "huge special interest on all sides" too. (nt) jeff47 Mar 2015 #242

... Vots Mar 2015 #302

PERFECT!!!! freshwest Mar 2015 #161

It would give money more influence, not less. Yo_Mama Mar 2015 #59

I've voted in every state, local, and presidential election since 1960. enough Mar 2015 #63

Government Funded tiptonic Mar 2015 #66

According to Fox News: "Australians who fail to vote or Australians who are not able to vote due... BlueJazz Mar 2015 #67

Total lie marlakay Mar 2015 #84

I was lying about Fox News. Every month or two I make up something about Fox News... BlueJazz Mar 2015 #98

Lol. With them it is easy to believe! Nt marlakay Mar 2015 #108

Not true gollygee Mar 2015 #175

Look at post number 98 BlueJazz Mar 2015 #193

Ah gollygee Mar 2015 #196

i was just thinking about that the other day! barbtries Mar 2015 #68

Make it a tax credit jberryhill Mar 2015 #71

I hope Faux News and GOP will treat this the same way they treated Vaccinations... LynneSin Mar 2015 #72

I am against this concept rock Mar 2015 #75

sorry but I differ... chillfactor Mar 2015 #78

So you like the idea of a watered-down voting pool, eh? rock Mar 2015 #82

I totally agree with you. 840high Mar 2015 #326

Make voting a $100 million lottery event, and you get your ticket after you vote NickB79 Mar 2015 #76

Not something you want to advertise seveneyes Mar 2015 #77

my husband and I were talking about this very thing today! stage left Mar 2015 #79

Just cut of all the millionaire's "free speech" contributions. El Supremo Mar 2015 #80

Great idea. But the problem is . . . markpkessinger Mar 2015 #81

The legislation isn't workable anyway. There's no bill they could write that would be feasible to hughee99 Mar 2015 #157

Indeed -- which is why I find it exceedingly annoying for the President even to bring it up n/t markpkessinger Mar 2015 #355

I agree with POTUS voting should be mandatory and a holiday. craigmatic Mar 2015 #85

I agree with you maindawg Mar 2015 #174

One year I volunteered to help at the polls as a watcher noamnety Mar 2015 #86

I live in Australia at present . . . MrModerate Mar 2015 #87

Bullshit, I got fined shaayecanaan Mar 2015 #172

I said seldom, not never. MrModerate Mar 2015 #308

That's crap shaayecanaan Mar 2015 #319

Maybe it's the circles we travel in . . . MrModerate Mar 2015 #337

Message auto-removed Name removed Mar 2015 #88

Free transportation for every voter sounds like a logistical nightmare. arcane1 Mar 2015 #94

K&R..... daleanime Mar 2015 #89

Now watch an idiot Republican claim NOT voting is a "freedom" issue.... Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #90

Some people in this thread have already made that claim. nt subterranean Mar 2015 #93

There's precedent. They did it with SUVs. Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #333

Maybe if we push the issue, they'll be compelled to "exercise" that right to not vote. arcane1 Mar 2015 #96

I wish Obama would declare it illegal to drink Drano. Frank Cannon Mar 2015 #220

LOL -- with a little touch of guilt. n/t Ineeda Mar 2015 #281

I know.... Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #332

My wife has absolutely no interest in voting. christx30 Mar 2015 #222

I can picture a few "Bozo For Prez" ballots at first but after a while people would get serious. Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #331

This country has been around for christx30 Mar 2015 #342

Politics here is treated like a sport.... Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #347

It will never happen. hughee99 Mar 2015 #92

how about universal health care Obama? You never once even brought that to the bargaining table liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #100

it hasn't got a prayer of passing Doctor_J Mar 2015 #124

'If man were meant to fly, he'd have wings.' lovemydog Mar 2015 #104

My fear is a boom in low information voters. n/t Gore1FL Mar 2015 #105

We already have that though, how do you think the Republicans gained control cstanleytech Mar 2015 #107

gerrymandering Gore1FL Mar 2015 #112

Oh that helped no doubt but those gerrymandered districts that they won cstanleytech Mar 2015 #113

It is already an epidemic....no further harm could be done. Fred Sanders Mar 2015 #197

Only if 'none of the above' is also on all ballots. n/t PoliticAverse Mar 2015 #110

I don't have a solution to the problem Jenoch Mar 2015 #111

that would destroy the repug party - so i'm for it samsingh Mar 2015 #114

the story doesn't seem to support the headline fishwax Mar 2015 #115

Mandatory voting = a bunch of ill-informed people picking a candidate for the shallowest of reasons Nye Bevan Mar 2015 #118

In other words, Art_from_Ark Mar 2015 #162

You mean exactly what we already have? (nt) jeff47 Mar 2015 #244

Worst. Idea. Ever. Travelman Mar 2015 #119

You can still 'withhold' your vote, by leaving the ballot blank. Demit Mar 2015 #274

Won't matter if we let Corporations "count" the votes with no oversight and no verification. blkmusclmachine Mar 2015 #120

I agree with this! Diremoon Mar 2015 #121

Just because he mentioned the concept of it doesn't mean he is planning Jamastiene Mar 2015 #122

Better idea--give away lotto tickets to voters. McCamy Taylor Mar 2015 #123

Under threat of what penalty? This is one of those "Be careful what you wish for" notions. WinkyDink Mar 2015 #126

Interesting. Paying taxes isn't just patriotic, it's required. Perhaps same with voting? Beartracks Mar 2015 #128

Agree. But people should always be able to vote none of the above. harun Mar 2015 #339

That would be great Kalidurga Mar 2015 #129

for those who are suggesting this may not be constitutional... ChisolmTrailDem Mar 2015 #130

Thanks for the laugh. liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #131

So .... Is he actially proposing legislation on this, and sending it to congress? Warren DeMontague Mar 2015 #136

I guess this is what a lame duck president can do. Just make up schtuff. rhett o rick Mar 2015 #132

not voting has a purpose Man from Pickens Mar 2015 #133

However much I like the idea, I don't think it's going to fly n/t eridani Mar 2015 #137

It's antithetical to free expression LittleBlue Mar 2015 #141

Why not ask the question why voter turnout get lower evey election? raindaddy Mar 2015 #142

That would require work on the part of the two party system. Why work when you can just liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #143

There's a two party system? merrily Mar 2015 #147

good point. Just sayin. I bet both the Republican and Democratic parties would love mandatory voting liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #148

Yep, of course they're cool with the current system raindaddy Mar 2015 #149

"How many current politicians actually inspire you?" Damn good question. liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #151

If politicians stopped selling us out, it would change everything. merrily Mar 2015 #144

you got it! tomp Mar 2015 #165

I exercised that option once, just by writing in someone. merrily Mar 2015 #330

So GOP do just the opposite of Obama Politicalboi Mar 2015 #150

won't happen, republicans don't want it still_one Mar 2015 #153

I doubt this would work. romanic Mar 2015 #154

genius. spanone Mar 2015 #155

The ironic thing is that I think manditory voting would end up making money more effecting, not less quakerboy Mar 2015 #158

In Australia, though, it's not really compulsory--you just pay a fine if you don't vote. MADem Mar 2015 #163

Same as the ACA, prove insurance requirements, join CA or pay. NM_Birder Mar 2015 #208

I don't agree with mandatory registration or a voting holiday davidpdx Mar 2015 #166

Sounds good Android3.14 Mar 2015 #167

The time to do this was 2009. Now he proposes it when there's zero chance it will pass. Scuba Mar 2015 #169

Exactly! Android3.14 Mar 2015 #186

I see the republicans don't like it. Must be a good idea. Kingofalldems Mar 2015 #176

I'm 100% opposed to mandatory voting. Vinca Mar 2015 #178

How about a tax write-off if you can provide proof of your vote? randome Mar 2015 #184

If a guy writes in "Bozo," I doubt he takes the process seriously.No tax credit for being a fool. Vinca Mar 2015 #240

True. But he would still need to show up at a polling station and cast a vote. randome Mar 2015 #269

I guess I think no vote is better than an uninformed vote. Vinca Mar 2015 #306

Voting is a fucking joke when only 33% vote and here we are with a joke of a Congress.... Fred Sanders Mar 2015 #195

So long as there's a NOTA or blank-ballot option I'd be OK with it. GliderGuider Mar 2015 #179

You can always vote for nobody... RoccoR5955 Mar 2015 #180

I think the point is that most would actually think about and vote for a specific candidate. randome Mar 2015 #183

Brilliant!!!! rjsquirrel Mar 2015 #181

The headline overstates Obama's statement. morningfog Mar 2015 #182

If Australia is an example, we should also start instant runoff voting here too! cascadiance Mar 2015 #188

I think voting is our patriotic duty! If politicians are going to send our young into arms way B Calm Mar 2015 #189

Great idea. 99Forever Mar 2015 #192

Just do it! And before 2016! Dont call me Shirley Mar 2015 #198

How do you plan to do it? brooklynite Mar 2015 #204

If President Obama wants it, I've got his back. And I'll leave the rest up to the experts. Dont call me Shirley Mar 2015 #213

It's a great topic of conversation greymattermom Mar 2015 #199

LOL B Calm Mar 2015 #202

I think this article is stretching the point... brooklynite Mar 2015 #203

At least POTUS wants people to get informed and vote.. unlike the gop that wants to make it Cha Mar 2015 #206

"where citizens have no choice..... but to vote" i don't like the way that sentence starts NM_Birder Mar 2015 #207

Wow, then the GOP racists would have to round EVEN MORE non-whites for their prisons. nt valerief Mar 2015 #211

Jump IN turbinetree Mar 2015 #215

We wouldn't need mandatory voting if all roadblocks to voting were removed RedCappedBandit Mar 2015 #216

As long as the onus is on the government to accept and count each ballot. Orsino Mar 2015 #217

Forcing people to participate The2ndWheel Mar 2015 #219

Give people a tax incentive for voting. They don't have to take it. randome Mar 2015 #221

teeny clarification. Voting is mandatory in Aust, a VALID vote is not Sheepshank Mar 2015 #224

Nothing that Obama proposes is going to happen. bowens43 Mar 2015 #226

i have been recommending this step for years semanticwikiian Mar 2015 #228

now if only our jury pool was better PatrynXX Mar 2015 #233

Perhaps the U.S. Intelligence Community can simply surmise our vote. n/t Alkene Mar 2015 #251

Obama hits the nail on the head, obliquely. lark Mar 2015 #254

If Obama does this . . . Richard D Mar 2015 #256

I like it, but it will never happen. drm604 Mar 2015 #267

Instead of a duty,,,,,,,Make it so #1,,,, benld74 Mar 2015 #278

I Say Mandatory Early Voting In Every State... Corey_Baker08 Mar 2015 #280

I'd like that. Xyzse Mar 2015 #283

I suggest we fix gerrymandering, voter disenfranchisement, and vote machine rhett o rick Mar 2015 #285

voting should be easy mehrrh Mar 2015 #288

Fine. Just as long as it has a "None of the above" box and write in line. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2015 #291

Make elections last a full week and voting compulsory. Register everyone Arkana Mar 2015 #294

Not only should it be mandatory in most cases 47of74 Mar 2015 #298

Since the repubs favorite thing is to rig votes... abakan Mar 2015 #300

Good! moondust Mar 2015 #303

I saw a proposal several years ago that would cover it. Xithras Mar 2015 #304

I don't believe in mandatory voting but I do support automatic voter registration. hrmjustin Mar 2015 #313

Check this out flying-skeleton Mar 2015 #315

Oregon just passed a bill that registers people to vote when they apply and obtain a rladdi Mar 2015 #318

I asked an Aussie virtual coworker what he actually thought of this Skittles Mar 2015 #321

Mandatory---NO. greytdemocrat Mar 2015 #324

...^ that 840high Mar 2015 #327

No. Never. AngryAmish Mar 2015 #329

We don't have "federal" elections. All elections are run at the state and county level. cherokeeprogressive Mar 2015 #335

Republicans will stay home now since Obama want them to vote. B Calm Mar 2015 #345

voter ids would have to happen fxstc Mar 2015 #352

We'll reach across the aisle and compromise with that agreement! B Calm Mar 2015 #353

No, Washington Post, President Obama did NOT "suggest requiring everyone to vote" eridani Mar 2015 #359