SHOULD ALL CITIZENS BE REQUIRED TO GO TO THE POLLS???

[Blackwater 53393]

I pose the question because so many people don’t exercise the franchise!  
 

If everyone who holds citizenship was required to go to the polls at every election, even if they didn’t cast a ballot for every candidate and referendum, would we be better off??

 

I think most people would at least go through the motions and more than likely vote for candidates and causes that reflected their views!

 

This could possibly offset the portion of the voters that only vote for the freebies offered by nefarious politicians who only seek to control them with the “something for nothing” give aways!

 

Should every citizen be required to register and vote? Should a valid voter ID be required and the voter be compelled to cast a ballot? Should only legal citizens be allowed to vote??

 

I think it should be this way.

 

What say you?

 

 

[Whitey James]

I do not think everyone SHOULD vote. I can think of many things that should be considered as a disqualification. Here are a few things I think can/do cause a person to not vote for the betterment of the country as a whole.

 

If you never have to worry about being drafted and sent off to fight in a war you may not agree with.

If you are currently on welfare.

If you can't pass a basic aptitude test (much like a test for drivers license)

If you have dual citizenship.

 

I'm sure this will be an unpopular opinion and I am anxious to see why people would disagree.

 

 

 

[Eyesa Horg]

I definitely think you should show valid ID to vote. Otherwise there would really be nothing to stop non citizens from voting. 

You can't stop the stupid people from voting!! Since I've been counting votes for 20 years , it's amazing to me that somebody would drive down to the polls just to "write in" cartoon names on every position!!

[Blind Squirrel]

IMO the average citizen is too easily swayed and controlled by emotion rather than logic. That is not a good thing when it comes to voting.

 

*Edit to add* In my perfect world, citizenship would be earned (e.g. Starship Troopers), not just granted because you were born here. If that was the case, I would be in favor of all citizens being required to vote.

Edited May 23 by Blind Squirrel

[John Kloehr]

4 hours ago, Blind Squirrel said:

IMO the average citizen is too easily swayed and controlled by emotion rather than logic. That is not a good thing when it comes to voting.

This is a good reason for our representative form of government. Way back, this country did not even vote for senators, they were appointed by the state house. Voting was also only by property owners, as they had a stake in the community.

 

I am not in favor of forced voting (Australian system). Some people just do not care and I can't make them care. I would prefer some people who do care spend a little more time learning about the candidates and issues. The summaries and statements in the official pamphlets are generally worthless, need to dig a bit to find out how a candidate really feels and need to read ballot measures to understand what they really do.

 

I also wish they would learn more about the process; Several people in groups are asking why all candidates were not listed on the ballot. Tennessee has a closed primary system, we select either a democratic or republican to run against each other in the general election. Some do not seem to understand the difference between the primary and general election.

 

I would like to see more turnout. Major ballot questions sometimes pass or fail by a small number of votes after only about half of registered voters actually cast a ballot. At the same time, it needs to be informed turnout. The worst sight to me is someone in a voting booth leafing through the voter pamphlet trying to reach a decision! I come in with my sample ballot already marked up, I'm in and out, not taking up a booth for a 1/2 hour.

 

On edit: As to ID, there are two parts to the question. First, yes, ID is fine. However that can be ID at the poll along with signing the log. It can also be just signing the log with ID verified at time of initial registration. One person, one vote. The other part is proving citizenship. I'm not sure I ever have had to do so. I have no objection to it as long as it no different (more burdensome) than getting a passport.

 

Edited May 22 by John Kloehr
typo

[Tyrel Cody]

1 hour ago, John Kloehr said:

. It can also be just signing the log with ID verified at time of initial registration.

No way, too easy to just show up and sign someone else’s name. Should show ID at the time of voting. 
 

I’d like to see mail in voting go completely away except for military and extreme circumstances. 

Edited May 22 by Tyrel Cody

[John Kloehr]

1 hour ago, Tyrel Cody said:

No way, too easy to just show up and sign someone else’s name. Should show ID at the time of voting. 
 

I’d like to see mail in voting go completely away except for military and extreme circumstances. 

That was a jurisdiction where signatures were verified as part of counting ballots. Also the signature reinforces the one person, one vote expectation. The names were pre-printed on the form, sign next to your name.

 

That jurisdiction also did have an initial in person ID check (and a signature which had to clearly match the ID) and then sent snail mail which required one more step to complete. So the person was verified by ID and did get mail at a known address in the jurisdiction.

 

What was missing always to the best of my memory is an actual verification of citizenship. I recall it as an attestation under penalty of perjury.

[Tell Sackett SASS 18436]

NO!!!

Ignorance is WORSE than apathy!!

Uninformed voters are worse than NO voters!

Thats the problem now! Too many idiots who don’t know what they’re voting for FOR!!!

[Rye Miles #13621]

Short answer is NO! This is a free country and people have the right to NOT vote. There are several religious groups that don’t vote and I think the Amish abstains from voting also. I think everyone SHOULD vote but they also should be informed of what’s going on and not just vote R or D or I or whatever other parties there are. 

[Eyesa Horg]

On 5/23/2026 at 2:22 PM, Tell Sackett SASS 18436 said:

NO!!!

Ignorance is WORSE than apathy!!

Uninformed voters are worse than NO voters!

Thats the problem now! Too many idiots who don’t know what they’re voting for FOR!!!

Yup, most just vote for the incumbent and the stupidity continues. IE. our federal representative & senators.