various methods to encourage people to vote
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Another technique to encourage progressive voters is to focus on progressive causes, such as Medicare for All, and try to remind on-the-fence voters about the importance of each necessary step in between their ideal state and the incremental progress that will benefit those most in need.
“There are still Black people in states that never expanded Medicaid, and they have nothing,” she says. “We have to keep fighting for those incremental changes while we're focused on the big picture. It's a little selfish to not remember that this is about the collective country. It’s not about the one thing you want to see happen.”
❄Abolish the Electoral College. It depresses turnout quite a bit. If one lives in Texas, which goes GOP about 60-40, why would a Democrat bother showing up if they have little chance of winning? Same with California which goes about 60-40 Democratic, depressing Republican turnout.
❄This affects local elections, causing defeats that would not happen with a high turnout.A parliamentary system where every vote counts. In the US one has to be on the winning side to be represented, meaning up to 49.9% of the public has no voice.
❄When Perot ran in the 90s he got 18% of the vote. Under the US system, Reform Party voters got nothing. Under a parliamentary system, they would have gotten 18% of the legislature.
❄End voter suppression. Not just voter ID laws, since @11% of adults have no valid ID. Also end bars on ex convicts voting. Once you've served your time, you should be able to vote automatically. It should be thought of as part of your rehabilitation.
❄Make elections a paid national holiday. Having them on Tuesday depresses turnout, esp. for the working poor who don't want to take time off.
❄Lower the voting age to 16, esp. if a teenager already works, as they've done in a dozen nations. Add mock elections to all high schools. This will begin the voting habit at a younger age.
❄Tie voting to receiving benefits. Failure to vote should mean one can't get a driver's license renewal, college loans, or public assistance. (Dependent minors would continue to receive assistance.)
❄The most important way would be to have publicly funded elections. Ban all campaign donations to or on behalf of a candidate or party, except unpaid volunteer work. Money is corrupting and silences the voices of the majority in favor of wealthy elites.