I agree. It is not obligatory in Spain and it should be. It’s everybody’s responsibility to vote.

Bulgaria is in desperate need of this. Our current elections are a right circus because less than 30% of the population turned up to vote.

Here in the US, we prefer the people voting to at least know the continent their country is in.

You mean an American thing, right?

Um. Did you not read it?

Another reason for BREXIT. What works for little Luxembourg may not be as good in G7 countries.

I have to disagree. I vote whenever I can because I think it is important, but a lot of times I simply don't have the mental resources for it. There are a lot of people that are simply too exhausted, eg. have depression or other mental health issues that makes it just be too much for them.

Yep. Agreed.

Would definitely stop all the wars. And probably the propaganda that makes those wars too. We should be investing more into NGOs

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No. Just no. Voting needs to be voluntary in every sense of the word. People not using their right to vote is an important sign of where your society stands. Forcing anything in an important process like voting is a big nono. The other side of the medal is that people feel obliged to choose (even if you can send in a blank vote), skewing the outcome.

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By doing what? Having to prove you are who you say you are with a government ID? Oh the horror!

Not melanin challenged, I see no issue with an ID to vote. People want you to show ID to buy paint. Some even want proof of vax cards with ID to enter buildings. I do not see how showing ID to vote is somehow racist. But please let me hear the argument as to how it is. I would love to hear it explained.

Please, Americans would freak out if they were told they had to vote or face getting fined. If there's one thing Americans are masters at it's coming up with legal arguments for not taking responsibility for anything.

I am fully behind the idea that everyone should vote. However, in the US it would be unconstitutional for the Fed to make a law decreeing that we HAVE to. That said, I think our country would probably be a better place if everyone exercised their hardwon right to vote. If everyone who thought their vote didn't matter actually voted, they could make a difference.

How is such a racist comment getting upvoted?

I am confused: In Canada, your birth is registered and your social security number is assigned, as you continue through life, your latest legal domicile is in the government databases (federal and provincial), since this verified and updated when you go to school, get a driver's license, etc. Prior to an election, the party-agnostic elections office mails you your voting card. When you go to vote, you can show any government ID: driver's license, social security, passport, health card... How could anyone in the US not want this approach? It ensures that everyone of legal age can vote and there is no fraud. You can also vote in advance if cannot be close to your polling station on day of vote. Employers are legally obliged to give a minimum 4 hours off paid to ensure everyone can vote. Polling stations are typically set up in local schools or community centres so no one needs to travel more than 15 minutes by car. People can legally offer rides, water and food.

They figured that out in Reconstruction.

lies.

You can also vote by post, and it is completely free (in the US you have to pay postage unless you use a designated drop off point). The most complicated thing about this is getting the envelopes in the right order. LOL.

U just described almost to a T how voting goes where I live near Boston... And I've never voted for sheets and sheets of things? Is that normal? Lol the most questions I've had to answer may be like 5

That's how we vote in America too. Idk why Europeans think they're so special.

same in slovakia but we use pens not pencils

Voter fraud's not a really thing in the US either.

Exactly same in Canada, except we have to wait until all time zones have voted. By midnight we know who won. Transition of power is also very swift.

you are not understanding the word democratic. Democratic does not mean individualist. It means rule by the people (The masses).

Being a citizen means enjoying benefits of your country as well as doing your duty. That includes paying taxes for infrastructure, national security and social welfare, voting to ensure fringe groups don't hijack the elections, reporting criminal activity, assisting a fellow citizen if they are in danger if able without threat to self, being called for jury duty and so on.

https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/registering-political-party/ - register a party in usa

yeah there are several parties.

they could give a blank vote or it may have an effect on them to actuallu educate themselves and make a choice.

Do you mean why ask a person unwilling to educate themselves about the candidates to vote?

As opposed to some educated people who deliberately vote for a party that enriches them while being bad for the general population? Democracy is flawed, but all alternatives are worse. Also curious how educated the average colonist was back in the day when the colonies decided to break from Britain? Just saying...