Australia requires citizens to vote. Should the U.S.?
In Australia, voter turnout is 95 percent of registered voters. The reason is simple: It’s the law. Those who fail to vote risk a fine and, in rare cases, imprisonment. Advocates of mandatory voting argue it’s a sensible way to ensure that elections reflect the will of all of the people. Only 67 percent of American registered voters, by contrast, bothered to show up on Election Day in 2000.
See also: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_best_policy/2004/10/you_must_vote_its_the_law.html
Australia requires citizens to vote. Should the U.S.?
In Australia, voter turnout is 95 percent of registered voters. The reason is simple: It’s the law. Those who fail to vote risk a fine and, in rare cases, imprisonment. Advocates of mandatory voting argue it’s a sensible way to ensure that elections reflect the will of all of the people. Only 67 percent of American registered voters, by contrast, bothered to show up on Election Day in 2000.
See also: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_best_policy/2004/10/you_must_vote_its_the_law.html