Yesterday, William Galston of the Brookings Institution argued that to combat our increasing political polarization, some states should experiment with mandatory or compulsory voting. Those citizens who choose not to vote will be required to pay a fine.
He argues that in the present political situation those who vote are disproportionately partisan and that politicians are in the habit of "continually tossing red meat to the party faithful." in order fire up their "base." The result is that the two extremes, right and left, wield a disproportionate amount of influence while the middle majority are not only ignored but disgusted by a system that caters to the extremes. And those who are ignored by the politicians and the media who are less inclined to vote. Whereas this vast moderate middle should be the "deciders;" they end up sitting on the side lines. An effective democracy requires their participation.
Mr Galston suggests that a state or two (he suggests Minnesota) experiment with compulsory voting,
As an extension of Mr. Galston's proposed experiment, I would suggest that as a corollary election day be declared a holiday. Historically, the United States has been reluctant to make voting convenient. Politicians apparently fear the prospect of having 95% of the citizens voting.
Of the 31 countries with mandatory voting laws, Mr. Galston points to Australia as a good comparison for the US because "of its love of individual liberty." Australia's turnout rate is an impressive 95% of eligible voters; the other 5 % chose to pay the fine. In the 2000 American election, only 67% participated.
If this country is really serious about participatory democracy, at the very least we should give Mr. Galston's suggestion a try.
In a true democracy, voting should be a duty.
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