What can the government do in order to get more people to vote?

Question

What can the government do in order to get more people to vote?

Answer 1

Revoke suffrage for women.

And I know what you're all thinking. This guy is sexist, right? No. Only 50% of women vote now, which is less than the percentage after women gained suffrage. So if the right is taken away, they will demand it back, and hopefully, actually use it again.

Answer 2

Maybe more people will vote by reducing the "cost of voting" by:

    *  Allowing voter registration at the polls on election day.

    * Developing electronic voting systems allowing people to vote from their homes.

    * Setting up voting booths at places of work.

    * Encouraging more civic groups to offer rides to the polls.

    * Holding elections on weekends.

    * Allowing voter registration by mail.

Answer 3

Give them a tax break if they voted in that year.

Let everyone vote on line as an option.  We could save lots of trees from the paper we are not using.

Answer 4

for 16 years I was an "election judge" at 17-6 Prince Georges Co., MD and Takoma Park city elections... for 2 elections I was the chief judge for the Takoma Park city elections [I think no one else would do it !]

Every election cycle we had a pre-election training event and the subject of your question was discussed...

If the population does not use the rights they have, i.e. voting, it is possible that it will be taken away.

Hitler came to power through an election... and step by step the rights of the German people we taken away.  He used the inflamatory rhetoric of fear and hate... much the way our [USA] politicians do.

The "terrorists" are coming.... illegal immigrants are coming... these fears are a far cry from the statement  at the Statue of Liberty, Emma Lazarus’ poem

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

During the primary election a good turnout is 15% of the  eligible voters turn up to vote... those who vote in the primaries have the most power [through their votes] ...

The general election is better for voter turn out but not a lot better...

I think the Aussies [and other countries] may have a good idea by fining those who don't vote.

Answer 5

In Australia it is compulsory to go to the voting booth & you are handed a voting slip - it's then up to you to vote or leave the slip blank. Having made the effort to get there, most people vote. If you don't go & get your name crossed off the role you get a fine.

Answer 6

Which Government?

In the good old USofA, the Democrats go around with unmarked vans that have the windows blacked out so they can get as many to vote as possible with promises of whatever.

BTW.. Lincoln was a Republican, but they switched names... he was really a Democrat.

Answer 7

Make votes count.  As it is, no matter which candidate you vote for- as soon as they get in office, they forget everything they promised.  So, voters see that their vote doesn't really matter, and their effort and concerns are ineffective.  So, they give up on trying to accomplish anything via the ballot box.  Until people see that their vote DOES have meaning, voting percentages will continue to drop.