Should voting be encouraged?

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Is the purpose of electing officials by vote to ensure that the people of the country are all represented? Or is it enough that they can be represented if they make the effort?

In some countries they fine people for not showing up to the polls, good idea or no? Should criminals be allowed to vote to ensure they are represented? What of the various and sometimes half-baked plans for limiting the number of eligible voters by adding requirements based on education, or on a community service requirement, or a "not on welfare" requirement?

Does the idea of getting "better" voters (even through a simple thing like not fining the apathetic people for not showing up) have any merit?

[a completely inoffensive name]

The apathetic are stupid not to exercise their opinion. I don't want stupid people voting. Therefore, I don't think we should cater towards getting apathetic people to vote.

[Furunculus]

"Should voting be encouraged?"

Yes, you are rrsponsible for the country you live in.

"Should voting be encouraged by legal compulsion?"

No, if that is necessary they you already have an irresponsible electorate.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Voting should be encouraged. However, mandatory participation smacks of repression of freedom of choice, government intrusion/interference. Those who wish to be "left alone" and don't want to participate in the political process shouldn't be punished for it.

[rory_20_uk]

Voting per se should not be encouraged, but a greater awareness of the matters that affect our country should be. This would then encourage more activism of the people, one method is to vote in elections.

There are already enough under-informed people voting (I'm probably amongst them). Increasing their number might be a step towards democracy, but not a better government.

[pevergreen]

I don't want stupid people voting.

+1

Mandatory here...its not really that hard to do. Depending how far away from a voting place you are, theres one 1 minute walk from my house, so...

[Rhyfelwyr]

I just see the presence of a democratic system as a safeguard against tyranny. Generally, I don't need to vote. But if a threat does arise, say, the BNP, then people could mobilise and make sure they don't get in. Simply the threat of having this mass mobilisation of voters is enough to prevent the fringe elements from getting into power, without having to actually exercise the right to vote.

In other words, if I feel the need to vote, the option is there, and knowing that alone should be enough to keep the politicians in line.

[Reenk Roink]

Very few things I'd actually bother and vote for but if they tried to make voting mandatory I'd vote against that.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I don't care to have the government or others encourage people to vote. If they don't feel strongly about political issues to vote on their own, they shouldn't be encouraged to vote.

Instead, people should be encouraged to get informed about politics, though doing that in a non-partisan way might be difficult. If becoming informed leads them to vote, so much the better.

CR