SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Want to be fined $10 for not voting?

May 19, 2017, 4:03 PM

low information voter, ballot, voter suppression...

(AP)

(AP)

There is weirdness coming out of New York. Of all places!

It’s a voting system based on an existing Australian voting system. I understand the instinct, but the thinking on it is exactly the opposite of what we need.

RELATED: Jesus Christ was not a lobbyist

There is a representative from Manhattan who wants to fine people who don’t vote $10. So we would have mandatory voting.

When I say this, people freak out. But let me qualify it: We have too many people who vote. We have a problem with the low information voter.

Now, I would fight for people’s right to vote. But we have too many people voting. Do we want people voting only because they would be fined if they didn’t?

Voting should be welcoming and easy. And we should get a receipt when we vote. But this instinct to get people who can’t be bothered to vote means that we will continue to empower the low information voter. The low information voter is how elections are won and lost now; this would make it even worse.

If you don’t know the issues, you have no damn business voting. You just simply don’t. Just like you have no business working on the electricity at your house if you don’t know what you’re doing.

As always, please listen to the full audio clip for complete context.

A water tower is seen Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Plymouth, Minn. A cyberattack targeted the operat...

Associated Press

FBI investigates as Michigan joins Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on its water systems

Michigan on Saturday joined Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on nine of the state’s water systems but an official said all systems were operating “safely.” Earlier this week, authorities said cyberattacks targeted over 30 water systems in Minnesota. The source of the attacks is being investigated, but they came amid warnings that Iranian hackers have been […]

19 minutes ago

Daniel Aragonez leaves a cooling center in Los Angeles, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hon...

Associated Press

Heat wave expected to bring record-breaking temps, heighten wildfire risk to parts of Western US

A dangerous heat wave will bring record-breaking temperatures to parts of the Western U.S. this weekend, prompting warnings for people to stay inside and heightening wildfire risks in areas that already are dry or burning. A ridge of high pressure is holding heat close to the ground — what’s known as a heat dome — […]

42 minutes ago

FILE - This photo provided by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy in Ju...

Associated Press

Michigan Supreme Court rejects permit for Enbridge oil pipeline under Great Lakes

The Michigan Supreme Court has ordered state regulators to reconsider a key permit that allowed a planned tunnel to carry an oil pipeline under part of the Great Lakes to move forward. The 6-1 decision further clouds the future of the 73-year-old pipeline owned by Canadian energy transportation company Enbridge that carries petroleum from Superior, […]

2 hours ago

FILE - People visit a banner for Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of "Today" show host Savannah Gu...

Associated Press

“Today” show host Savannah Guthrie begs for “someone to come forward” in her mother’s disappearance

“Today” show host Savannah Guthrie on Saturday said on social media that her family was “desperate” and “begging for help” in the disappearance of her mother, a day after authorities released two ransom notes including one saying that she had died. Authorities released an early note in the investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy […]

4 hours ago

President Donald Trump, left, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe speak as they depart following a cabi...

Associated Press

Trump’s threat to push ahead on settlement fund injects new uncertainty into attorney general talks

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to push forward with a fund to compensate his allies if two Republican holdouts will not support his nominee for attorney general, injecting fresh uncertainty into a Senate confirmation vote planed for next week and underscoring once more his interest in securing payouts for supporters who […]

4 hours ago

FILE - Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, walks out of a meeting with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of ...

Associated Press

Democrats see an chance to flip a US House seat as abuse claims mount against Ohio Rep. Max Miller

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Faced with a narrow path to winning control of the U.S. House, Democrats are seeing fresh opportunity in a northeast Ohio congressional seat where the Republican incumbent is facing mounting pressure over domestic abuse allegations in a bitter and drawn-out dispute with his ex-wife. Allegations against U.S. Rep. Max Miller, a […]

6 hours ago

Want to be fined $10 for not voting?