Brock: Voting should not be mandatory

Article 15 amendment of the U.S. Constitution says: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Nowhere does it say that voting will be mandatory. I believe voting is a sacred duty of all Americans. I’m the son of a career military man, so I’ll admit to being biased because my dad, like other countless men and women in uniform, fought to protect our rights, and too many died to protect the right to vote. Still, more importantly, they sacrificed for our freedom to make our own decisions on how we live our lives.
So I have to wonder why President Barack Obama joined a chorus of his party suggesting voting should be mandatory last week, other than the showing of his party at the recent mid-term elections. Asked how to offset the influence of big money in politics last week in Cleveland, President Obama suggested it may be time to make voting a requirement. He told his audience that other countries have mandatory. According to Wikipedia as of August 2013, 22 countries were recorded as having laws for compulsory voting and 11 of those 22 countries enforced the law. North Korea is one of the countries that requires and enforces compulsory voting. Everyone over 17 is required to vote, of course, for a single candidate that their party leaders select for the ballot. North Korea isn’t the first country that comes to mind as a glowing example of democracy. I think it would be great if everyone in our country voted, but there are those who for religious beliefs refuse to vote. Others see it as futile and some just don’t care. Voting is a right best exercised by people who have taken time to learn about the issues and the folks running for office. Forcing folks to do something they don’t want to do, like mandating voting, is sure to be about as popular as required health insurance. Compulsory voting is sure to have the reverse effect on a democracy that is the envy of the world. The definition of freedom is the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Nothing takes away the desire to do something and upsets Americans more than taking away their freedom to choose or not to do on their own. Brock is the publisher of The Dickinson Press. Contact him at 701-456-1201 and hbrock@thedickinsonpress.com.Article 15 amendment of the U.S. Constitution says: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”Nowhere does it say that voting will be mandatory. I believe voting is a sacred duty of all Americans. I’m the son of a career military man, so I’ll admit to being biased because my dad, like other countless men and women in uniform, fought to protect our rights, and too many died to protect the right to vote. Still, more importantly, they sacrificed for our freedom to make our own decisions on how we live our lives.
So I have to wonder why President Barack Obama joined a chorus of his party suggesting voting should be mandatory last week, other than the showing of his party at the recent mid-term elections. Asked how to offset the influence of big money in politics last week in Cleveland, President Obama suggested it may be time to make voting a requirement. He told his audience that other countries have mandatory.According to Wikipedia as of August 2013, 22 countries were recorded as having laws for compulsory voting and 11 of those 22 countries enforced the law. North Korea is one of the countries that requires and enforces compulsory voting. Everyone over 17 is required to vote, of course, for a single candidate that their party leaders select for the ballot. North Korea isn’t the first country that comes to mind as a glowing example of democracy.I think it would be great if everyone in our country voted, but there are those who for religious beliefs refuse to vote. Others see it as futile and some just don’t care.Voting is a right best exercised by people who have taken time to learn about the issues and the folks running for office. Forcing folks to do something they don’t want to do, like mandating voting, is sure to be about as popular as required health insurance.Compulsory voting is sure to have the reverse effect on a democracy that is the envy of the world. The definition of freedom is the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.Nothing takes away the desire to do something and upsets Americans more than taking away their freedom to choose or not to do on their own.Brock is the publisher of The Dickinson Press. Contact him at 701-456-1201 and hbrock@thedickinsonpress.com.