CNN reports that when asked how to offset the influence of big money in politics, President Barack Obama suggested it's time to make voting a requirement. "Other countries have mandatory voting," said Obama "It would be transformative if everybody voted -- that would counteract money more than anything," he said, adding it was the first time he had shared the idea publicly.
"The people who tend not to vote are young, they're lower income, they're skewed more heavily towards immigrant groups and minority groups. There's a reason why some folks try to keep them away from the polls."
At least 26 countries have compulsory voting, according to the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. Failure to vote is punishable by a fine in countries such as Australia and Belgium; if you fail to pay your fine in Belgium, you could go to prison. Less than 37% of eligible voters actually voted in the 2014 midterm elections, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. That means about 144 million Americans -- more than the population of Russia -- skipped out.
Critics of mandatory voting have questioned the practicality of passing and enforcing such a requirement; others say that freedom also means the freedom not to do something.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 22 2015, @02:15PM
I pay property tax on my house and other taxes on my car. Can they vote too?
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Sunday March 22 2015, @02:35PM
You missed the key bit there, YOU pay those taxes because YOU owe them. Corporations pay their own because THEY owe them.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 2, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 22 2015, @05:27PM
And shareholders OWN the company.
Only those without owners get to vote.