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Nay

(12,051 posts)

48. The Australian way is the easiest -- if you don't vote you have to pay a fine.

Mon Sep 4, 2017, 01:15 PM

Sep 2017

I realize that this would be anathema in the U.S., but it works well.

Not that it would ever be implemented anyway; it seems like the goal of the GOP is to keep as many people away from the polls as possible. And if Democrats, by some miracle, regained power and by another miracle were to make such a law, everybody would be up in arms about their 'freedumb.'

There are tons of ways to get people to the polls, but no sensible modifications will ever be done while there are enough Republicans to howl against it.

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Who here knows people who didn't bother to vote in November, 2016? [View all] MineralMan Sep 2017 OP

they could vote down ticket treestar Sep 2017 #1

If they don't come to the polling place, we all lose. MineralMan Sep 2017 #3

You have to start by dropping the 'didn't bother to' leftstreet Sep 2017 #2

I disagree. Those who "don't bother to vote" are a big part of MineralMan Sep 2017 #4

'How do we get nonvoters to vote?' That's all it needs to be leftstreet Sep 2017 #6

So, you didn't answer my question. Do you know people MineralMan Sep 2017 #7

Oh Gawdz yes! leftstreet Sep 2017 #12

OK. Then, it sounds like your work is cut out for you in 2018 and 2020. MineralMan Sep 2017 #13

Spot on. cwydro Sep 2017 #11

yet they are being irresponsible treestar Sep 2017 #5

How to recruit 'irresponsible, ignorant, lazy' people to vote leftstreet Sep 2017 #10

convince them of how valuable it is treestar Sep 2017 #15

You do it by talking to them and addressing their MineralMan Sep 2017 #16

If you make no choice you are really saying "go ahead, you can make my choice for me" FM123 Sep 2017 #8

Don't "know" anyone personally thank goodness. cwydro Sep 2017 #9

I know people who wrote in "Bernie Sanders" in the general oberliner Sep 2017 #14

Yes. I know a couple who voted for Jill Stein for the same reasons. MineralMan Sep 2017 #18

In some states it actually didn't matter oberliner Sep 2017 #20

And yet, exactly that happened in WI, MI, and PA. MineralMan Sep 2017 #28

I'm hoping that idea dies- because many voted for Trump thinking their vote wouldn't matter- as a bettyellen Sep 2017 #32

There were some here who posted they'd do exactly that. cwydro Sep 2017 #21

People died to secure and protect our right to vote. lapucelle Sep 2017 #17

Yes. That's a good way to appeal to some people. MineralMan Sep 2017 #19

I also send first time voters to OnTheIssues.org lapucelle Sep 2017 #24

Good idea! MineralMan Sep 2017 #25

I just had this talk with my partner. neeksgeek Sep 2017 #22

Thanks! MineralMan Sep 2017 #23

I thought she was going to vote in 2016. neeksgeek Sep 2017 #49

I know a few in CA marlakay Sep 2017 #26

Here in Minnesota, Hillary won, despite people MineralMan Sep 2017 #27

No one should ever think they can sit it out radical noodle Sep 2017 #33

Exactly. Tell them that. MineralMan Sep 2017 #37

We're voting here in NY in November lapucelle Sep 2017 #46

The people I know should have learned this all on their own by now lunatica Sep 2017 #29

Well, maybe they have learned something and are worth MineralMan Sep 2017 #34

Too much water under that bridge lunatica Sep 2017 #41

Yes, I do radical noodle Sep 2017 #30

Ask them how they feel now. MineralMan Sep 2017 #35

my fucking mother in law bdtrppr6 Sep 2017 #31

That's the only person you know who did that? MineralMan Sep 2017 #36

From the map it looks like we hafe it tough hfojvt Sep 2017 #38

Here's something to think about: In Georgia, MineralMan Sep 2017 #40

and presumably there was a GOTV effort hfojvt Sep 2017 #45

Yes. I do expect to get more. MineralMan Sep 2017 #47

Yes - in Pennsylvania Tree-Hugger Sep 2017 #39

Exactly. Three states with very, very narrow Trump victories. MineralMan Sep 2017 #42

Sick to my stomach... HipChick Sep 2017 #43

I know. I feel the same way. MineralMan Sep 2017 #44

The Australian way is the easiest -- if you don't vote you have to pay a fine. Nay Sep 2017 #48