Should the USA have Compulsory Voting?

Should the USA have Compulsory Voting? Yes! Americans should take on the responsibility without complaint and do their civic duty. They should do more 'walking the walk' than 'talking the talk'.

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

- John F. Kennedy

Compulsory Voting is a System in which citizens are obligated to vote in Elections. At the present time there are more than 20 countries that have Compulsory Voting and about half of these countries enforce the voting laws while the remaining do not. If a voter does not vote, he or she may be subject to fines or community service. Interesting idea!

Having a SSN is required by law and it's personal and private information. Voting should be treated the same way. It should be mandatory and it should also be private. The United States should allow no excuses in this matter. They should be a better Example-Leader for the rest of the world.

The benefits are immeasurable, as it will prevent disenfranchisement of the socially disadvantaged. It would also act as a sort of civil education, creating an environment of inclusion where citizens are better informed and actively involved. It should be every citizen's duty to participate in the decision making processes that affects their very own lives.

Sadly, The United States of America, the oldest Democracy doesn't have what you'll find in Brazil. Brazil is one of the countries that have Compulsory Voting, but they also have their focus on the future with modern technology. They now have electronic voting and have been putting these new bio-metric identification systems in place for their citizens. It will take a few years before this system is everywhere necessary for everyone, but it is proving to be a very successful change.

Brazil will have around 142 million voters that will go to the polls this year, to elect federal, state, and district deputies, as well as Senators, Governors, and also the President. Only a little more than15% or about 22 million people are in the new bio-metric identification system. The rest will still be required to vote, but will continue as in the past while awaiting the new electronic voting systems.

What does this system do better?

1. Increases speed
2. Minimizes the risk of Error and Fraud
3. Safer
4. More secure
5. More accurate

How and why the USA is so far behind, backwards-lazy with regards to voting than Brazil is amazing. The USA is a place where voting is not secure and not private. It's not mandatory and you don't even need to show Identification to enter and vote. Unbelievable! The oldest Democracy sure can learn a few things from their not so distant neighbors, but when?

While there is no perfect system, the bio-metric identification system is better than the regular outdated and old fashioned systems in use today.

Update: New info reports that the non-recognition rate in the last polls with the new electronic voting machines were around 4%.

There will always be someone to try and point out some disadvantages. There are always naysayers and persons who for no good reason just, can't stand any sort of change.

The only disadvantages that can really be pointed out are...

1. You don't like your choices
2. You don't have time

These problems can be easily resolved by allowing you to submit a blank ballot if you don't like your choices and by making the voting available for a longer period of time. Instead of a single day, it should be open voting for a week or two or even a month long process.