Quorum Amendment: An idea to solve low voter turnout...

[originalpckelly]

What if we had an amendment to the US Constitution that required a certain percentage of people to vote in an election for the results to be valid?

The way the invalid election is dealt with, must be thought of with great care. This lack of people voting could be used by a dictator in our country to remain in power.

But on the other hand it is important that our nation votes.

We could demand that a simple majority of the population vote in the election. I suggest the method of enforcement would be the cessation of government activity and the termination of the authority of those in power on a certain number of days after the election. That way it would reduce the concern I previously outlined about someone abusing the lack of a quorum.

What do you all think?

[originalpckelly]

1. I edited it, because it didn't make sense at first.

EEK!

[Drum]

2. simple: Voting Tax Credit

come out and cast your vote, and you get credit for a small tax credit, to be applied to your next-year's taxes due. Don't cast a vote, no break for you.

[rucky]

3. I like the lottery idea, myself.

vote early and vote often!

ok, seriously, your idea is better.

[Drum]

6. haahhaha

perhaps, but yours got a loud laugh over here :D

[originalpckelly]

4. I think that would be abused by politicians to gain power...

"If you elect me, I'll increase the voting tax credit." --Little Weasel, A Typical Politician

[Sydnie]

5. I can tell you

here in MA we still have town meeting form of government. There are town meetings where we are on the phone begging voters to come and sign in so that we can make the quorum to conduct town business. They don't have to stay for the meeting, they just have to be counted so the meeting can come to order. Our quorum is a mere 75 for a population of 10,000 to boot.

Not sure that any votes would ever be counted under similar circumstances in a ballot box situation. The quorum would be higher for sure, but meeting it would be just as tough I fear.

[evlbstrd]

7. How about this:

Election Holiday. Hold elections over a three day weekend. Use the Fourth of July for a more patriotic flair. Also, no need to "alienate business" by creating a new paid holiday.
Then, make registration simple and dump the machines.

[rucky]

8. Oregon does it all absentee.

Turnout is way high. Paper ballots. They set up drive-up booths for a week or so, so people can drop off their ballots if they don't want to mail 'em.

[evlbstrd]

9. I like that.

Combine that with the Holiday!

[rucky]

10. I'm not one to turn down a three-day weekend! n/t

[evlbstrd]

11. It's one most of us already have.

[rucky]

12. well as long as we're making stuff up, can we add a holiday?

what the hell am I complaining about? I'm a teacher.

[evlbstrd]

14. Hey!

I'm a veteran and don't get Veteran's Day off.
Seriously, teachers are underpaid, overworked and underappreciated. Thank you for your service.

[zeemike]

13. I like that idea

But I am even more of a advocate of voting.
I would have an anti-poll tax on anyone that chose not to vote in a week long election time period.
If you chose not to vote be willing to pay the tax involved in it.

[manic expression]

15. No more winner-take-all elections n/t

[blonndee]

16. I don't like that idea, but I think election days should be mandated

holidays. That would help a LOT, I think.

On edit: Now I see someone else has posted the same idea, but much better than I did.

[LostInAnomie]

17. People who vote get an exemption from jury duty.

I also love the Holiday idea.