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it's election season, Beehaw, so — what are your thoughts on compulsory (mandatory) voting? (beehaw.org)

submitted 1 week ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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good idea/bad idea, necessary democratic reform or authoritarian imposition? are there better or worse ways to do it?

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago (7 children)

Being able to not choose is, to me, as valid as actually making a choice. So while I do think it could be beneficial, I also hate the idea of losing even just that little bit of freedom. I never like the removal of options.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago (2 children)

You could still not choose. "I abstain" and "none of these" are valid votes. Submitting an empty ballot would satisfy the law while preserving the right not to choose.

That said, some have a religious prerogative to not vote, and should be eligible for an exemption.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

That said, some have a religious prerogative to not vote, and should be eligible for an exemption.

this is, as i understand, the case in Australia—which i would consider the most compelling example of compulsory voting in practice.

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