Voting should be made Manditory?

Question

I'm sorry, but I really feel that voting is a civic duty much like jury duty, and we cannot say no to jury duty. So should voting. There are too many voices out there that feel intimidated to vote and feel as if it wont matter, when it does. The Right Wing religious Republicans only stand to benefit if we all don't vote because the truth of the matter is, most people are more liberal than conservative, and that should be reflected in our government. This good Ole boy horse crap has got to end.
gone are the days where EVERYONE can go out into the free market and survive. With rising healthcare costs poverty, and poor education, there are people who fall thru the cracks and we being the richest nation on earth should have social standards so that EVERYONE does not have to live in poverty while others burn money in their fireplaces.
"Corporate Fathers Blame Welfare Mothers"

what do you all think?
please be intelligent when responding thankyou

Many nations such as Australia have manditory voting, if you do not vote you are fined. I really believe that people don't educate themselves or get involved becase they don't have to.
These dumb people you say shouldn't vote are the same pool of people who HAVE to vote when on a jury so what is the difference?

Answer 1

If you don't vote you get the government you deserve. America would have better government if all Americans voted. It may even begin to represent the wants and needs of the people. It works in other countries

Answer 2

I am very happy to see this question, I know this is one my favorite questions that I bumped into. People need to be FINED for not voting. Every legal citizen of the United States needs to vote. I do believe it is a CIVIC DUTY, just like JURY DUTY. It's our responsibility to elect our own government, hopefully a better government if we all voted honestly and correctly. We must educate and force people to start atleast liking and getting into politics. Having debates is very healthy and helpful to our country. I believe all Atheists and Religious people both vote or face a FINE for not voting. Thank you for believing in something that I would have thought of down the road! I will give you a star for an intelligent question.

Answer 3

Plenty of people say "no" to jury duty in their own way, like just saying that they have previous knowledge of the case, so no one can really be forced to serve on a jury.

Same is true of voting. Yes, it's a civic duty and a right, but many people have no idea of who or what they're voting for, or have no opinion, or are just going to the polls because somebody is paying them off in cash or cigarettes. These people shouldn't be muddying the water with worthless votes..

Answer 4

JAGuzman had it right!!! For what possible reason should the least-educated, least-informed, least-involved among us be the moving force that determines the direction of our country. Nothing in the world could move our country back into a more conservative, more productive mode than requiring a demonstration of basic civic and political understanding before being allowed to enter the booth. Maybe just a few questions: name 3 Supreme Court justices...name the three branches of government...name your current US Senators and Representative...name your state Senator and Representative. Do you think the democrats would have any voters left?

Answer 5

I think I've answered this before. We don't need a bunch of doped up, Al Gore worshiping morons electing our "leaders". The more people you have involved in anything the worse it gets. Ideas sink to the level of the lowest common denominator, which means liberal. We need fewer people with more brains, integrity and common sense voting, and that means conservatives. "Welfare Mothers blame Corporate fathers for knocking them up." If EVERYONE is living in poverty, who's burning money in the fireplace? Must be the tax and spend dumbocrats.

Answer 6

I disagree. That philosophy will only ensure the more charismatic candidate is sworn into office, and not necessarily the best candidate. Personally, I feel that we should actually implement restrictions on voters, in order to ensure that only the well informed, and those who have a genuine vested interest in this nation can vote; which would do away with all the band wagoners who vote for a candidate simply because their friends/family voted for him.

If someone doesn't want to vote, there may be good reason; never pressure someone into voting.

Answer 7

No, it doesn't make sense.

Voting is a civic duty, I agree, and also a right. But you can't force people to do it. If you don't want to vote, too bad for you because you'll have to put up with whatever government the rest agree to set up. Sending you to jail doesn't help.
What can you do to punish them?

In my country, the vote is mandatory. Years ago, if you didn't vote you were prohibited to comply with all your civic duties for a period of time. You could buy and sell properties but no register them (mandatory). You couldn't get your ID card (mandatory). You couldn't register your newborn child (mandatory).
Now, the law still says that the vote is mandatory but it's not enforced. However, the ratio of voters/population is a lot higher than it is in the USA.
I can't say that it's because we're more conscious of our duties, I guess we're used to it because it's been always mandatory to vote.

Answer 8

I am also concerned that because pople do not get out and vote, we do not have elections that genuinely reflect the desires of the American public. We must continue to encourage our famiy members, friends, and neighbors to vote so that this changes. I am a voter, myself, and always vote my conscience. it is a right I cherish. I don't understand why others do not choose to vote.

Answer 9

It is in Australia, and rightly so, too many people may try to sherk their responsibilities if it was optional and you would see far to much powerful media lobbying to buy of interested voters withought a "true" representation of the entire voting public !

Answer 10

I don't think we should force people. I don't really want uninformed people voting, even though a lot do. Our problem in US is the electoral college, where every vote doesn't count. I think this should be done away with.