Re:The Equifax disaster points to a much bigger problem
by pjc50 on Friday September 22, 2017 @07:42PM
(#15316959)
Mandatory voting doesn't actually require a choice, you can just file a blank ballot.
What it does completely deal with is the voter registration question.
Re:The Equifax disaster points to a much bigger problem
by undersuit on Friday September 22, 2017 @05:33PM
(#15316034)
You still have the ability to not vote, Australia just fines you for not voting. What's more powerful of a statement: not voting with no obligation to vote, or not voting in spite of the punishment?
If you can't get people to voluntarily participate in democracy then you have a failed implementation of it.
Furthermore, the ability to not vote is a powerful and necessary option, as it's hard for those in power to imply that they have a mandate if <10% of the population actually participated in it.
I don't know what mandatory voting accomplishes except giving those in power the ability to say, "Tut tut! No complaining! You got your vote, after all."