Wed Mar 18, 2015, 06:50 PM

kpete (66,760 posts)

BREAKING: President Obama Wants To Propose 'Mandatory Voting.' It would change everything.

Mandatory voting? Obama says it would be 'transformative'
By JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press
Updated 3:17 pm, Wednesday, March 18, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — They say the only two things that are certain in life are death and taxes. President Barack Obama wants to add one more: voting.

Obama floated the idea of mandatory voting in the U.S. while speaking to a civic group in Cleveland on Wednesday. Asked about the corrosive influence of money in U.S. elections, Obama digressed into the related topic of voting rights and said the U.S. should be making it easier — not harder— for people to vote.

Just ask Australia, where citizens have no choice but to vote, the president said.

"If everybody voted, then it would completely change the political map in this country," Obama said, calling it potentially transformative. Not only that, Obama said, but universal voting would "counteract money more than anything."

MORE:
http://www.bipartisanreport.com/mandatory-voting-obama-says-it-would-be-transformative

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Ballot Box
Obama Says Mandatory Voting Would 'Completely Change' U.S. Political Map
Mar 18, 2015 3:48 PM PDT
At a town hall meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, the president gave support to the idea of compulsory voting.

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-03-18/obama-says-mandatory-voting-would-completely-change-u-s-political-map

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359 replies	Author	Time	Post
BREAKING: President Obama Wants To Propose 'Mandatory Voting.' It would change everything. (Original post)	kpete	Mar 2015	OP
I think we should make it a weekend long party!	annabanana	Mar 2015	#1
You're absolutely right, I'm all for this...n/t	monmouth4	Mar 2015	#2
+1/ n/t	Jefferson23	Mar 2015	#3
Vote naked!	shenmue	Mar 2015	#12
That would really dick with	mindwalker_i	Mar 2015	#16
Very few people would want to see me naked, voting or not.	Half-Century Man	Mar 2015	#35
Meh, you're just fine! The reflection from my HAIR can be seen from space!	calimary	Mar 2015	#73
Sounds like you are doing it right.	Thor_MN	Mar 2015	#125
Pfft!	Enthusiast	Mar 2015	#170
Only if I can choose who's there! LOL!	RKP5637	Mar 2015	#194
Yeah baby!	passiveporcupine	Mar 2015	#17
I agree with that, the length of voting should be at least 1-2 weeks and in fact July	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#36
TOO HOT!	cynzke	Mar 2015	#173
One or two weeks; what lines? n/t	A Simple Game	Mar 2015	#177
Exactly. Not to mention the elderly would still have the option of mailing in their ballots. nt	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#210
As long as we are making a wish list;	A Simple Game	Mar 2015	#232
Add to that list	swilton	Mar 2015	#292
yeehaaaww!	certainot	Mar 2015	#103
Nice! ....sans the fireworks for the sake of the pups—2x per year is enough. :)	C Moon	Mar 2015	#145
I'll raise your mandatory voting and add Publicly Funded Elections and outlaw campaign contributions	Dustlawyer	Mar 2015	#190
Also require employers to give one of those two days off.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#229
Would this require a constitutional amendment or would simple legislation do it?	totodeinhere	Mar 2015	#4
it would be challenged on free speech grounds	ProdigalJunkMail	Mar 2015	#19
Just attach a rider which say you can preregister to not vote each election.	Half-Century Man	Mar 2015	#37
Why do we need extra bureaucracy and red tape	NobodyHere	Mar 2015	#99
I am answering a question about a counterpoint to a speculated scenario.	Half-Century Man	Mar 2015	#109
Actually Oregon recently did something like this.	Sheepshank	Mar 2015	#227
They could just do what Oregon did and make it so everyone is registered automatically	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#41
this could work... n/t	ProdigalJunkMail	Mar 2015	#61
that really does seem like the best solution	renate	Mar 2015	#83
Yup and if they get the IRS, Social Security and varies federal agencies involved it might help	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#106
That is a good idea! Also IMO voting should be standardized across the nation. Far too many states	RKP5637	Mar 2015	#200
That would definitely take a Constitutional amendment	SickOfTheOnePct	Mar 2015	#309
One thing that does bother me about mandatory voting, and maybe more, is that some people	RKP5637	Mar 2015	#316
If they can draft you,	SCVDem	Mar 2015	#49
well, there is no constitutional provision which prohibits a draft...	ProdigalJunkMail	Mar 2015	#60
There is the option of casting a blank ballot.	subterranean	Mar 2015	#91
A "None of the Above" line would take away that objection	bklyncowgirl	Mar 2015	#201
We would be doing a lot of elections. nt	tjl148	Mar 2015	#212
Only if you were required to vote for someone.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#230
If sitting on jury is a duty .. then so is voting. You need to enforce voting just as much	srican69	Mar 2015	#268
the constitution disagrees with you	ProdigalJunkMail	Mar 2015	#277
Who's going to challenge it.... Someone who doesn't vote???	grahamhgreen	Mar 2015	#297
I think it would require a constitutional amendment.	Yo_Mama	Mar 2015	#55
Well if that's the case it's not gonna happen.	totodeinhere	Mar 2015	#65
It's not going to happen either way.	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#140
So have a "none" line on the ballot.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#231
I don't think that suffices. Not voting qualifies as expressive conduct in a different way. n/t	Yo_Mama	Mar 2015	#301
It's not going to happen, and the president saying "hey- neat idea" doesnt mean he's actually	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#139
We're so lucky to have your cynicism to correct us.	Demit	Mar 2015	#185
Gloom and Doom is for Republicans...who are those that agree with them? Why??	Fred Sanders	Mar 2015	#191
Sure, Fred.	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#223
Oh, it's not only not going to happen immediately, it is never going to happen.	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#218
Why would you expect that compulsory voting would make people vote D?	Demit	Mar 2015	#270
One) I said the opposite- I DON'T think, necessarily, compulsory voting would make people vote D.	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#307
Your comment at #139 was snottiness ground zero, for the record.	Demit	Mar 2015	#317
1) is way more feasable than forcing everyone to vote.	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#322
I am obviously no match for your emoticons.	Demit	Mar 2015	#325
That law about mandatory voting, let me know when that happens, okay?	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#328
++++	swilton	Mar 2015	#295
Not a bad idea, but probably unconstitutional.	ARMYofONE	Mar 2015	#5
You can vote "none of the above"	gcomeau	Mar 2015	#23
Message auto-removed	Name removed	Mar 2015	#117
Only in the most trivial of senses.	gcomeau	Mar 2015	#209
Include Presidential election day as a holiday to coincide with mandatory	mfcorey1	Mar 2015	#6
Make it than one day available for voting...	awoke_in_2003	Mar 2015	#62
Many states already have laws guaranteeing time off to vote.	Thor_MN	Mar 2015	#127
No, the President can't do it by EO, it would take a Constitutional Amendment	GGJohn	Mar 2015	#97
Would probably only require a law, not an amendment.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#235
No, it would require a constitutional amendment,	GGJohn	Mar 2015	#334
And turning in a blank ballot would allow that speech. (nt)	jeff47	Mar 2015	#343
Very true, but it would still require a constitutional admendment	GGJohn	Mar 2015	#344
Only if a blank ballot did not provide the equivalent speech	jeff47	Mar 2015	#346
But to force citizens to vote would require a constitutional amendment,	GGJohn	Mar 2015	#348
Won't work. Some people will still have to work that day.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#234
The hits just keep on coming! It's like the Silver Dollar Survey!!!	HereSince1628	Mar 2015	#7
You mean one of these?....	pkdu	Mar 2015	#146
Yes sort of...even that one's not an option for 2015 Mini-Coopers	HereSince1628	Mar 2015	#168
They were actually those ultra-slow 16 2/3 RPM records.	Systematic Chaos	Mar 2015	#225
Terrible idea. Talk about uninformed voters. We have enough idiots now voting based.....	Logical	Mar 2015	#8
perhaps uninformed is better than misinformed. eom	rogerashton	Mar 2015	#64
Yes, only the right people should be allowed to vote.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#236
LOL, So you LOVE the money in politics! Nt	Logical	Mar 2015	#284
If money had the effect you think, CA would have a different governor.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#286
When did I say a test? I just don't want a law to MAKE people vote. nt	Logical	Mar 2015	#312
Precisely	swilton	Mar 2015	#296
Totally agree	LiberalLovinLug	Mar 2015	#299
No thanks n/ t	SickOfTheOnePct	Mar 2015	#9
How about a holiday off instead so more folks could vote.	midnight	Mar 2015	#10
Yes	shenmue	Mar 2015	#13
Hi	midnight	Mar 2015	#33
I don't think it'd work any other way, and he did make an extra holiday to add to another day.	freshwest	Mar 2015	#159
Someone would still have to work on that holiday	jeff47	Mar 2015	#237
Even that is probably silly. What is needed is an election period like an open enrollment	TheKentuckian	Mar 2015	#341
"If everybody voted, then it would completely change the political map in this country," If everyone	Cha	Mar 2015	#11
This guy is on a roll. He is saying some awesome shit.	namastea42	Mar 2015	#14
where was this guy 6 years ago?	PowerToThePeople	Mar 2015	#40
He has always been there.	namastea42	Mar 2015	#56
I must be Rip Van Winkle	PowerToThePeople	Mar 2015	#57
You have yourself a good evening.	namastea42	Mar 2015	#69
Just edited out by media. The examples are well known. So those who want to know, had to work for it	freshwest	Mar 2015	#160
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia.	Major Hogwash	Mar 2015	#95
This is a wonderful idea.	Matterate	Mar 2015	#15
No, it's a horrible idea.	GGJohn	Mar 2015	#101
I am definitely in favor of that.	Matterate	Mar 2015	#116
Some choose to participate by not participating. Might want to read the First Amendment again.	Lochloosa	Mar 2015	#187
And when your boss requires you to work a 16-hour day?	jeff47	Mar 2015	#238
yea your car broke down , your dog ate your shoes , you lost your calendar, your alarm didnt go	Romeo.lima333	Mar 2015	#245
Yeah, they should pull themselves up by their bootstraps, even when they're barefoot.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#248
well they could wait until their barefoot and naked to start fighting back	Romeo.lima333	Mar 2015	#250
Only if you're clueless about poverty.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#255
what i know about poverty is that unless you vote your situation isnt going to get much better	Romeo.lima333	Mar 2015	#287
Yes, keep kicking those poor people!	jeff47	Mar 2015	#290
Yeah, if you believe in treating free adult citizens like errant schoolchildren to be lectured at.	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#336
voting is the act of a free adult, not voting is being an errant school child	Romeo.lima333	Mar 2015	#340
I agree that not voting is stupid. And people who don't vote also, to my mind, forfeit their right	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#354
Devil in the details	MosheFeingold	Mar 2015	#214
What to do? Do like Australia does.	Demit	Mar 2015	#271
And if they refuse to pay the fine?	MosheFeingold	Mar 2015	#311
They're sentenced to death I think.	Demit	Mar 2015	#323
Well, a black man	MosheFeingold	Mar 2015	#349
No he wasn't. You're conflating the details in that story. Read it again.	Demit	Mar 2015	#351
It should at least be compulsory	liberal N proud	Mar 2015	#18
If he does he knows it will not be taken seriously.	former9thward	Mar 2015	#20
You can accomplish that by turning in a blank ballot. (nt)	jeff47	Mar 2015	#239
There are very few things our government can compel a citizen to do.	former9thward	Mar 2015	#243
Yes, it would be terrible if the youth who were already not voting continued to not vote.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#246
You are wrong.	former9thward	Mar 2015	#252
First, supremacy clause. Second, nationwide 55-mph limit until recently.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#253
Wrong again.	former9thward	Mar 2015	#259
And that 55-mph enticement was in the form of.....	jeff47	Mar 2015	#260
TA-DA!!!	former9thward	Mar 2015	#261
Did you think people would not notice you switched from "doesn't say they can" to	jeff47	Mar 2015	#263
Read the Constitution.	former9thward	Mar 2015	#272
Or no ballot.	Nuclear Unicorn	Mar 2015	#247
Same message, but one satisfies the "compulsory voting" rule. (nt)	jeff47	Mar 2015	#249
I'd like a referendum --	Nuclear Unicorn	Mar 2015	#257
Zero. Your point?	jeff47	Mar 2015	#258
Oh. I dunno. I think the people might actually pass such a referendum.	Nuclear Unicorn	Mar 2015	#262
Yeah, a torturous death is so much fun!!	jeff47	Mar 2015	#264
"Wanted by you."	Nuclear Unicorn	Mar 2015	#265
Yes, you do owe so many people.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#266
"Everyone gets to have a say in the debate about those costs and benefits."	Nuclear Unicorn	Mar 2015	#275
And now we move on to the strawman round.	jeff47	Mar 2015	#276
"You owe the corporatists at the moment for the food you eat blah blah blah"	Nuclear Unicorn	Mar 2015	#289
Great idea!	spinbaby	Mar 2015	#21
Fuck yes.	MynameisBlarney	Mar 2015	#22
I like the idea,	Jamaal510	Mar 2015	#24
you do remember	allinthegame	Mar 2015	#30
I think Oregon is on to something with automatic voter registration.	AtomicKitten	Mar 2015	#25
that is a good idea. I do think also that there could be more incentives to vote.	CTyankee	Mar 2015	#51
I like the idea of some sort of reward.	AtomicKitten	Mar 2015	#138
glad you appreciate it. I was kinda speculating...	CTyankee	Mar 2015	#205
I've got an idea	Man from Pickens	Mar 2015	#152
funny	AtomicKitten	Mar 2015	#156
Don't bother with local businesses for free stuff. Just send people cash. (nt)	jeff47	Mar 2015	#241
I thought about that but had some concerns that a system of cash payments could be hijacked by one	CTyankee	Mar 2015	#273
You might be surprised at the length people will go (lefties and righties, both)	Ineeda	Mar 2015	#279
(insert argumentative shenanigan here)	jeff47	Mar 2015	#282
Right Wing Heads to 'xplode in 3 .... 2 ..... 1	Botany	Mar 2015	#26
A mandatory vote	vt_native	Mar 2015	#27
I prefer	allinthegame	Mar 2015	#28
Can it be done via executive order -	TBF	Mar 2015	#29
No, it can't.	GGJohn	Mar 2015	#102
I don't know if I'm 100% of mandatory anything -	TBF	Mar 2015	#171
How democratic. Not.	bread_and_roses	Mar 2015	#31
Actually his opinion is based solidly in our Constitution.	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#45
Of course the President has a right to his opinion.	christx30	Mar 2015	#350
What imposing? He expressed an opinion he didnt say you or anyone else has to agree with it.	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#356
But he's talking about making it mandatory.	christx30	Mar 2015	#357
OMG you are right, we are all doomed because someone is talking about something that	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#358
Voting is not a right, constitutionally speaking	hugo_from_TN	Mar 2015	#305
I don't have a right not to file my taxes either.	harun	Mar 2015	#320
Who said anything about the constitution? I'm a woman	bread_and_roses	Mar 2015	#338
YES PLEASE!!!!	ut oh	Mar 2015	#32
Now THAT's what I'm talkin' about!	world wide wally	Mar 2015	#34
"gave support to the idea" is not "wants to propose"	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#38
Bingo--you've parsed his actual POV skillfully and accurately, and succinctly too!!!! nt	MADem	Mar 2015	#164
Wingnuts are freaking out	C_U_L8R	Mar 2015	#39
Of course they're freaking out.	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#44
I'm sure you could post "Wingnuts are freaking out" with any news item and it'd be correct	Chathamization	Mar 2015	#53
See, cultural exchange with North Korea is bringing advances. n/t	jtuck004	Mar 2015	#42
How about we just start with universal vote by mail?	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#43
I said the same thing at the same time up thread	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#48
Indeed.	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#135
WaPo: A Case for a Compulsory Voting	cyberswede	Mar 2015	#46
How ''democratic and freedom-loving'' of him to think of this.	DeSwiss	Mar 2015	#47
Its honestly very freedom loving if you think about it.	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#52
as much as some don't like it, not voting is freedom of speech. Just because you don't like it	liberal_at_heart	Mar 2015	#293
I am not disagreeing with you but on the other hand something does need to be done	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#310
More voters would turn out if we did something about the corruption in the system.	liberal_at_heart	Mar 2015	#314
I've been saying this for years nt	LiberalElite	Mar 2015	#50
The repubs won't like this...	Dr Hobbitstein	Mar 2015	#54
This is ridiculous	Vots	Mar 2015	#58
having the Kochs buy elections is even more shivery.	namastea42	Mar 2015	#70
TYRANNY! IMPEACH! OBAMA IS FORCING DEMOCRACY UPON US!	JaneyVee	Mar 2015	#74
...	Vots	Mar 2015	#134
Australia has "huge special interest on all sides" too. (nt)	jeff47	Mar 2015	#242
...	Vots	Mar 2015	#302
PERFECT!!!!	freshwest	Mar 2015	#161
It would give money more influence, not less.	Yo_Mama	Mar 2015	#59
I've voted in every state, local, and presidential election since 1960.	enough	Mar 2015	#63
Government Funded	tiptonic	Mar 2015	#66
According to Fox News: "Australians who fail to vote or Australians who are not able to vote due...	BlueJazz	Mar 2015	#67
Total lie	marlakay	Mar 2015	#84
I was lying about Fox News. Every month or two I make up something about Fox News...	BlueJazz	Mar 2015	#98
Lol. With them it is easy to believe! Nt	marlakay	Mar 2015	#108
Not true	gollygee	Mar 2015	#175
Look at post number 98	BlueJazz	Mar 2015	#193
Ah	gollygee	Mar 2015	#196
i was just thinking about that the other day!	barbtries	Mar 2015	#68
Make it a tax credit	jberryhill	Mar 2015	#71
I hope Faux News and GOP will treat this the same way they treated Vaccinations...	LynneSin	Mar 2015	#72
I am against this concept	rock	Mar 2015	#75
sorry but I differ...	chillfactor	Mar 2015	#78
So you like the idea of a watered-down voting pool, eh?	rock	Mar 2015	#82
I totally agree with you.	840high	Mar 2015	#326
Make voting a $100 million lottery event, and you get your ticket after you vote	NickB79	Mar 2015	#76
Not something you want to advertise	seveneyes	Mar 2015	#77
my husband and I were talking about this very thing today!	stage left	Mar 2015	#79
Just cut of all the millionaire's "free speech" contributions.	El Supremo	Mar 2015	#80
Great idea. But the problem is . . .	markpkessinger	Mar 2015	#81
The legislation isn't workable anyway. There's no bill they could write that would be feasible to	hughee99	Mar 2015	#157
Indeed -- which is why I find it exceedingly annoying for the President even to bring it up n/t	markpkessinger	Mar 2015	#355
I agree with POTUS voting should be mandatory and a holiday.	craigmatic	Mar 2015	#85
I agree with you	maindawg	Mar 2015	#174
One year I volunteered to help at the polls as a watcher	noamnety	Mar 2015	#86
I live in Australia at present . . .	MrModerate	Mar 2015	#87
Bullshit, I got fined	shaayecanaan	Mar 2015	#172
I said seldom, not never.	MrModerate	Mar 2015	#308
That's crap	shaayecanaan	Mar 2015	#319
Maybe it's the circles we travel in . . .	MrModerate	Mar 2015	#337
Message auto-removed	Name removed	Mar 2015	#88
Free transportation for every voter sounds like a logistical nightmare.	arcane1	Mar 2015	#94
K&R.....	daleanime	Mar 2015	#89
Now watch an idiot Republican claim NOT voting is a "freedom" issue....	Spitfire of ATJ	Mar 2015	#90
Some people in this thread have already made that claim. nt	subterranean	Mar 2015	#93
There's precedent. They did it with SUVs.	Spitfire of ATJ	Mar 2015	#333
Maybe if we push the issue, they'll be compelled to "exercise" that right to not vote.	arcane1	Mar 2015	#96
I wish Obama would declare it illegal to drink Drano.	Frank Cannon	Mar 2015	#220
LOL -- with a little touch of guilt. n/t	Ineeda	Mar 2015	#281
I know....	Spitfire of ATJ	Mar 2015	#332
My wife has absolutely no interest in voting.	christx30	Mar 2015	#222
I can picture a few "Bozo For Prez" ballots at first but after a while people would get serious.	Spitfire of ATJ	Mar 2015	#331
This country has been around for	christx30	Mar 2015	#342
Politics here is treated like a sport....	Spitfire of ATJ	Mar 2015	#347
It will never happen.	hughee99	Mar 2015	#92
how about universal health care Obama? You never once even brought that to the bargaining table	liberal_at_heart	Mar 2015	#100
it hasn't got a prayer of passing	Doctor_J	Mar 2015	#124
'If man were meant to fly, he'd have wings.'	lovemydog	Mar 2015	#104
My fear is a boom in low information voters. n/t	Gore1FL	Mar 2015	#105
We already have that though, how do you think the Republicans gained control	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#107
gerrymandering	Gore1FL	Mar 2015	#112
Oh that helped no doubt but those gerrymandered districts that they won	cstanleytech	Mar 2015	#113
It is already an epidemic....no further harm could be done.	Fred Sanders	Mar 2015	#197
Only if 'none of the above' is also on all ballots. n/t	PoliticAverse	Mar 2015	#110
I don't have a solution to the problem	Jenoch	Mar 2015	#111
that would destroy the repug party - so i'm for it	samsingh	Mar 2015	#114
the story doesn't seem to support the headline	fishwax	Mar 2015	#115
Mandatory voting = a bunch of ill-informed people picking a candidate for the shallowest of reasons	Nye Bevan	Mar 2015	#118
In other words,	Art_from_Ark	Mar 2015	#162
You mean exactly what we already have? (nt)	jeff47	Mar 2015	#244
Worst. Idea. Ever.	Travelman	Mar 2015	#119
You can still 'withhold' your vote, by leaving the ballot blank.	Demit	Mar 2015	#274
Won't matter if we let Corporations "count" the votes with no oversight and no verification.	blkmusclmachine	Mar 2015	#120
I agree with this!	Diremoon	Mar 2015	#121
Just because he mentioned the concept of it doesn't mean he is planning	Jamastiene	Mar 2015	#122
Better idea--give away lotto tickets to voters.	McCamy Taylor	Mar 2015	#123
Under threat of what penalty? This is one of those "Be careful what you wish for" notions.	WinkyDink	Mar 2015	#126
Interesting. Paying taxes isn't just patriotic, it's required. Perhaps same with voting?	Beartracks	Mar 2015	#128
Agree. But people should always be able to vote none of the above.	harun	Mar 2015	#339
That would be great	Kalidurga	Mar 2015	#129
for those who are suggesting this may not be constitutional...	ChisolmTrailDem	Mar 2015	#130
Thanks for the laugh.	liberal_at_heart	Mar 2015	#131
So .... Is he actially proposing legislation on this, and sending it to congress?	Warren DeMontague	Mar 2015	#136
I guess this is what a lame duck president can do. Just make up schtuff.	rhett o rick	Mar 2015	#132
not voting has a purpose	Man from Pickens	Mar 2015	#133
However much I like the idea, I don't think it's going to fly n/t	eridani	Mar 2015	#137
It's antithetical to free expression	LittleBlue	Mar 2015	#141
Why not ask the question why voter turnout get lower evey election?	raindaddy	Mar 2015	#142
That would require work on the part of the two party system. Why work when you can just	liberal_at_heart	Mar 2015	#143
There's a two party system?	merrily	Mar 2015	#147
good point. Just sayin. I bet both the Republican and Democratic parties would love mandatory voting	liberal_at_heart	Mar 2015	#148
Yep, of course they're cool with the current system	raindaddy	Mar 2015	#149
"How many current politicians actually inspire you?" Damn good question.	liberal_at_heart	Mar 2015	#151
If politicians stopped selling us out, it would change everything.	merrily	Mar 2015	#144
you got it!	tomp	Mar 2015	#165
I exercised that option once, just by writing in someone.	merrily	Mar 2015	#330
So GOP do just the opposite of Obama	Politicalboi	Mar 2015	#150
won't happen, republicans don't want it	still_one	Mar 2015	#153
I doubt this would work.	romanic	Mar 2015	#154
genius.	spanone	Mar 2015	#155
The ironic thing is that I think manditory voting would end up making money more effecting, not less	quakerboy	Mar 2015	#158
In Australia, though, it's not really compulsory--you just pay a fine if you don't vote.	MADem	Mar 2015	#163
Same as the ACA, prove insurance requirements, join CA or pay.	NM_Birder	Mar 2015	#208
I don't agree with mandatory registration or a voting holiday	davidpdx	Mar 2015	#166
Sounds good	Android3.14	Mar 2015	#167
The time to do this was 2009. Now he proposes it when there's zero chance it will pass.	Scuba	Mar 2015	#169
Exactly!	Android3.14	Mar 2015	#186
I see the republicans don't like it. Must be a good idea.	Kingofalldems	Mar 2015	#176
I'm 100% opposed to mandatory voting.	Vinca	Mar 2015	#178
How about a tax write-off if you can provide proof of your vote?	randome	Mar 2015	#184
If a guy writes in "Bozo," I doubt he takes the process seriously.No tax credit for being a fool.	Vinca	Mar 2015	#240
True. But he would still need to show up at a polling station and cast a vote.	randome	Mar 2015	#269
I guess I think no vote is better than an uninformed vote.	Vinca	Mar 2015	#306
Voting is a fucking joke when only 33% vote and here we are with a joke of a Congress....	Fred Sanders	Mar 2015	#195
So long as there's a NOTA or blank-ballot option I'd be OK with it.	GliderGuider	Mar 2015	#179
You can always vote for nobody...	RoccoR5955	Mar 2015	#180
I think the point is that most would actually think about and vote for a specific candidate.	randome	Mar 2015	#183
Brilliant!!!!	rjsquirrel	Mar 2015	#181
The headline overstates Obama's statement.	morningfog	Mar 2015	#182
If Australia is an example, we should also start instant runoff voting here too!	cascadiance	Mar 2015	#188
I think voting is our patriotic duty! If politicians are going to send our young into arms way	B Calm	Mar 2015	#189
Great idea.	99Forever	Mar 2015	#192
Just do it! And before 2016!	Dont call me Shirley	Mar 2015	#198
How do you plan to do it?	brooklynite	Mar 2015	#204
If President Obama wants it, I've got his back. And I'll leave the rest up to the experts.	Dont call me Shirley	Mar 2015	#213
It's a great topic of conversation	greymattermom	Mar 2015	#199
LOL	B Calm	Mar 2015	#202
I think this article is stretching the point...	brooklynite	Mar 2015	#203
At least POTUS wants people to get informed and vote.. unlike the gop that wants to make it	Cha	Mar 2015	#206
"where citizens have no choice..... but to vote" i don't like the way that sentence starts	NM_Birder	Mar 2015	#207
Wow, then the GOP racists would have to round EVEN MORE non-whites for their prisons. nt	valerief	Mar 2015	#211
Jump IN	turbinetree	Mar 2015	#215
We wouldn't need mandatory voting if all roadblocks to voting were removed	RedCappedBandit	Mar 2015	#216
As long as the onus is on the government to accept and count each ballot.	Orsino	Mar 2015	#217
Forcing people to participate	The2ndWheel	Mar 2015	#219
Give people a tax incentive for voting. They don't have to take it.	randome	Mar 2015	#221
teeny clarification. Voting is mandatory in Aust, a VALID vote is not	Sheepshank	Mar 2015	#224
Nothing that Obama proposes is going to happen.	bowens43	Mar 2015	#226
i have been recommending this step for years	semanticwikiian	Mar 2015	#228
now if only our jury pool was better	PatrynXX	Mar 2015	#233
Perhaps the U.S. Intelligence Community can simply surmise our vote. n/t	Alkene	Mar 2015	#251
Obama hits the nail on the head, obliquely.	lark	Mar 2015	#254
If Obama does this . . .	Richard D	Mar 2015	#256
I like it, but it will never happen.	drm604	Mar 2015	#267
Instead of a duty,,,,,,,Make it so #1,,,,	benld74	Mar 2015	#278
I Say Mandatory Early Voting In Every State...	Corey_Baker08	Mar 2015	#280
I'd like that.	Xyzse	Mar 2015	#283
I suggest we fix gerrymandering, voter disenfranchisement, and vote machine	rhett o rick	Mar 2015	#285
voting should be easy	mehrrh	Mar 2015	#288
Fine. Just as long as it has a "None of the above" box and write in line.	Tierra_y_Libertad	Mar 2015	#291
Make elections last a full week and voting compulsory. Register everyone	Arkana	Mar 2015	#294
Not only should it be mandatory in most cases	47of74	Mar 2015	#298
Since the repubs favorite thing is to rig votes...	abakan	Mar 2015	#300
Good!	moondust	Mar 2015	#303
I saw a proposal several years ago that would cover it.	Xithras	Mar 2015	#304
I don't believe in mandatory voting but I do support automatic voter registration.	hrmjustin	Mar 2015	#313
Check this out	flying-skeleton	Mar 2015	#315
Oregon just passed a bill that registers people to vote when they apply and obtain a	rladdi	Mar 2015	#318
I asked an Aussie virtual coworker what he actually thought of this	Skittles	Mar 2015	#321
Mandatory---NO.	greytdemocrat	Mar 2015	#324
...^ that	840high	Mar 2015	#327
No. Never.	AngryAmish	Mar 2015	#329
We don't have "federal" elections. All elections are run at the state and county level.	cherokeeprogressive	Mar 2015	#335
Republicans will stay home now since Obama want them to vote.	B Calm	Mar 2015	#345
voter ids would have to happen	fxstc	Mar 2015	#352
We'll reach across the aisle and compromise with that agreement!	B Calm	Mar 2015	#353
No, Washington Post, President Obama did NOT "suggest requiring everyone to vote"	eridani	Mar 2015	#359

Response to kpete (Original post)

Wed Mar 18, 2015, 06:52 PM

annabanana (52,773 posts)

1. I think we should make it a weekend long party!

Have parades to the polling places and fireworks at night. Voting is more important than the 4th of July.

BREAKING: President Obama Wants To Propose 'Mandatory Voting.' It would change everything.

1. I think we should make it a weekend long party!

2. You're absolutely right, I'm all for this...n/t

3. +1/ n/t

12. Vote naked!

16. That would really dick with

35. Very few people would want to see me naked, voting or not.

73. Meh, you're just fine! The reflection from my HAIR can be seen from space!

125. Sounds like you are doing it right.

170. Pfft!

194. Only if I can choose who's there! LOL!

17. Yeah baby!

36. I agree with that, the length of voting should be at least 1-2 weeks and in fact July

173. TOO HOT!

177. One or two weeks; what lines? n/t

210. Exactly. Not to mention the elderly would still have the option of mailing in their ballots. nt

232. As long as we are making a wish list;

292. Add to that list

103. yeehaaaww!

145. Nice! ....sans the fireworks for the sake of the pups—2x per year is enough. :)

190. I'll raise your mandatory voting and add Publicly Funded Elections and outlaw campaign contributions

229. Also require employers to give one of those two days off.

4. Would this require a constitutional amendment or would simple legislation do it?

19. it would be challenged on free speech grounds

37. Just attach a rider which say you can preregister to not vote each election.

99. Why do we need extra bureaucracy and red tape

109. I am answering a question about a counterpoint to a speculated scenario.

227. Actually Oregon recently did something like this.

41. They could just do what Oregon did and make it so everyone is registered automatically

61. this could work... n/t

83. that really does seem like the best solution

106. Yup and if they get the IRS, Social Security and varies federal agencies involved it might help

200. That is a good idea! Also IMO voting should be standardized across the nation. Far too many states

309. That would definitely take a Constitutional amendment

316. One thing that does bother me about mandatory voting, and maybe more, is that some people

49. If they can draft you,

60. well, there is no constitutional provision which prohibits a draft...

91. There is the option of casting a blank ballot.

201. A "None of the Above" line would take away that objection

212. We would be doing a lot of elections. nt

230. Only if you were required to vote for someone.

268. If sitting on jury is a duty .. then so is voting. You need to enforce voting just as much

277. the constitution disagrees with you

297. Who's going to challenge it.... Someone who doesn't vote???

55. I think it would require a constitutional amendment.

65. Well if that's the case it's not gonna happen.

140. It's not going to happen either way.

231. So have a "none" line on the ballot.

301. I don't think that suffices. Not voting qualifies as expressive conduct in a different way. n/t

139. It's not going to happen, and the president saying "hey- neat idea" doesnt mean he's actually

185. We're so lucky to have your cynicism to correct us.

191. Gloom and Doom is for Republicans...who are those that agree with them? Why??

223. Sure, Fred.

218. Oh, it's not only not going to happen immediately, it is never going to happen.

270. Why would you expect that compulsory voting would make people vote D?

307. One) I said the opposite- I DON'T think, necessarily, compulsory voting would make people vote D.

317. Your comment at #139 was snottiness ground zero, for the record.

322. 1) is way more feasable than forcing everyone to vote.

325. I am obviously no match for your emoticons.

328. That law about mandatory voting, let me know when that happens, okay?

295. ++++

5. Not a bad idea, but probably unconstitutional.

23. You can vote "none of the above"

209. Only in the most trivial of senses.

6. Include Presidential election day as a holiday to coincide with mandatory

62. Make it than one day available for voting...

127. Many states already have laws guaranteeing time off to vote.

97. No, the President can't do it by EO, it would take a Constitutional Amendment

235. Would probably only require a law, not an amendment.

334. No, it would require a constitutional amendment,

343. And turning in a blank ballot would allow that speech. (nt)

344. Very true, but it would still require a constitutional admendment

346. Only if a blank ballot did not provide the equivalent speech

348. But to force citizens to vote would require a constitutional amendment,

234. Won't work. Some people will still have to work that day.

7. The hits just keep on coming! It's like the Silver Dollar Survey!!!

146. You mean one of these?....

168. Yes sort of...even that one's not an option for 2015 Mini-Coopers

225. They were actually those ultra-slow 16 2/3 RPM records.

8. Terrible idea. Talk about uninformed voters. We have enough idiots now voting based.....