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1. So many forget that freedom necessitates the freedom to NOT do something. Mandatory voting infringes on free speech. Mandatory voting produces non-represe
by em3rgent0rdr 9y ago
1. So many forget that freedom necessitates the freedom to NOT do something. Mandatory voting infringes on free speech.
Mandatory voting produces non-representative votes for people who like any of the candidates, or who can't tell whether a candidate is better by a margin greater than the uncertainty in the preference.
- notatoad 9y agomandatory voting doesn't prevent you from spoiling your ballot. But i'm with you - mandatory voting is a way to get the uninformed to vote, it doesn't force anybody to actually be informed about the issues that their vote affects, and will ultimately lead to more terrible candidates winning elections just because they have the best name recognition.
- em3rgent0rdr 9y agoRegarding spoiling the ballot, if the voting booth does not clearly present the choice to spoil your ballot, then the voting results will be skewed against those who do not want to vote for a candidate.
- geofft 9y agoAs I understand the proposal, you are permitted to show up and not cast a vote - you just have to affirmatively show up. I don't think mandatory voting infringes on free speech any more than mandatory jury duty does.
- em3rgent0rdr 9y ago> "you are permitted to show up and not cast a vote" Well it shouldn't be called "mandatory voting" if you are permitted to not actually cast a vote.