Interesting. As a reaction to the Lieberman primary loss, this individual is arguing that we should have mandatory voting in elections (even in primaries, apparently!). I also wish more people would vote (although i think it would have the opposite effect as this editorialist), but i'm not sure mandatory voting is the way to go. I'd prefer to make it a lot easier for people to get to the polls by making election day a national holiday. I'd also spend money to promote elections better, and look into the possiblity of using school buses to travel through neighborhoods taking people to and from the polls.

did you know voting is mandatory in Australia? You get a fine if you don't show up to vote. Not sure what effect it's had on elections there though. I'd think there's a good chance you'd get a lot of apathetic voters just casting votes to avoid a fine, rather than a more informed electorate.

and perhaps had I read the article I would've known the answers to all my questions. My friend from Australia doesn't think it really makes elections any better.