The Case for Universal Voting. Like in Australia! 

Get rid of electoral college.

In Australia we have the festival of the democracy sausage. Voting is made easy. The Australian Electoral system seeks you out to put you on the role. Elections are on Saturdays so it is when most people don't work. You can vote about a month before the election at pre-voting booths. At the booths both on voting day and before they have sausage sizzles so you have a vote then get a sausage in bread with onions. Generally there are not enormous queques and it is all rather simple

As an Australian, I endorse this message. ❤

In Australia collectively we fulfil one of our civic duties by voting.

Compulsory voting encourages the crazies ( MTG, Boebert etc ) to appeal to the sensible centre. That's why Australian politics is sane and functional and not collapsing like in US.

I love that Australian voting day gets turned into a voting party. People here in the US would love the idea that casting a vote makes you eligible to participate in a party with hot dogs and beer. :P

I always roll my eyes a bit when Americans boast about having the “greatest” democracy, when only a small proportion of them are ever engaged in contributing to the continued existence of that democracy by undertaking the most basic (and precious, imo) task of participation. To Australians, voting is a cultural norm, and, therefore, we all have at least some appreciation of our duty to our nation. We are ALL active participants in our democracy, even those of us who write “none of these bastards” across their ballots are undertaking a political act. Plus … Democracy Sausages are delicious 🤤

1 I think Universal voting would definitely be a good idea 2 I would also like to see that as each candidates qualify for the ballot. They’re able to draw money from the federal government to run their campaign with no outside money allowed 3 I also feel that each candidate should be given an allotment of time on the public airwaves of TV and radio to campaign on, and that there should be public debates for each candidate to participate in We should put an end to all donations to political parties as this only breeds special interest groups and large, corporate donations we need to take our elections back for the sake of the people and not special interest, groups, or individuals with special interests of their own. 4 we need to stop broadcasters such as Fox News to be able to use the word news it used to be there was some integrity and just not a lot of bullshit. The news should not be a poppet for special interest groups to swing their form of bullshit and propaganda. I understand this is America, Home of the free-speech, but it should also stand for truth, justice and equality for all.

Wow. Baby steps, but good on ya! Next please examine Australia's system of preferential voting as well. Really gives the steam needed to move away from a strictly two-party-system.

I’m 100% for Universal Voting ‼️‼️‼️

I had professors back in the 70's who did not understand how our nation had such a low turnout. In their nation it was mandatory to vote. America should embrace this plan, because if you don't join your bretheren and vote, shame or fines should ensue. Token fines are a form of shame! 😢

Al Franken, wonderful podcast. Thank you.

Things Australia doesn’t have: - registration of party affiliation. - primaries - partisan control of electoral boundaries - voter suppression as a tactic - getting out the vote as a tactic

Such a sensible idea. Have not understood why this hasn't been done long ago.

It's easier to dissuade people from voting through fear than to encourage them to vote in spite of challenges. Thank you, gentlemen. I'm all for Universal Voting - as long as the fearmongers don't hide the voting booths.

Hi Al - as an Aussie, technically you don't have to vote. You get the fine if you don't turn up and get your name checked of the electoral register. Once you get the ballot paper, you can't destroy it, but you don't have to put anything on it. You can scribble on it, or colour in the letters. But it makes the entire electorate think they have to vote, so they take more interest in what each party are saying. It also stops the parties playing exclusively to the base.

As a Floridian I think this is GREAT as well as a direct popular vote (get rid of the Electoral College). Also universal mail in voting like Colorado. There are more Dems than Repubs. If Dems get off their whiney butts and vote no matter who is on the ballot Dems could take control and right (no pun intended) the American political ship!

Thank you Mr. Franken for this interview with Mr. Dionne and Mr. Rapoport universal voting is a great idea.

Of course, Australia has paper ballots. So voting can mean turning up and writing “I’m not voting for ANY of you!” on the ballot. Showing up and being part of it is what’s compulsory, not deciding between candidates.

Yes on Universal Voting....and how about doing away with the Electoral College so Popular Vote is what elects our President? I see both these systems as saving a bunch of $ too! I do think the "freedom fighters" will have a hard time with the "mandatory" and "fine" aspects of the Universal Voting system. I do think voting is a citizen responsibility and not a hardship.

There are a couple of other features of the Australian system you should consider. 1. Preferential voting (ranked choice) 2. Voting day is Saturday, and all public schools are voting centers. 3. The Australian Electoral Commission, a nonpartisan body, sets electoral boundaries. 4. Local charities are encouraged to run food stalls

I have been banging on about this for years, in comments whenever I can.It's the only way to have a REAL democratic election. The fine for not voting is, what one pays for the 'privilege ' of not entering into one's civil duty! Voting day is a real social event, from sausage sizzles and cake stalls all day to expensive sitdown dinners, while the count begins. It is a society building experience, and a day when the folk of every town get out and about, building that community spirit which is so important! BUT best of all is,which for this, I apologize, stupid electoral college guff, is totally unnecessary, which is so counterproductive and actually undoes, negates the popular VOTE! To my mind very undemocratic and originated in a long gone era! For a general federal election you can do an absentee vote anywhere in the country, not just the state you live in! Also there is pre poll voting for a fortnight before actual voting date + mail in voting. Could not understand the outcry over mail in USA last election! To us it is normal. But far be it from us downunder, to do something in a better and fairer way, than the great land of the FREE. Free not to vote, in my estimation 'free' to bunk out on the responsibility of being a participant, citizen of the society Y'ALL live in!!!!!! Much respect Al, keep supporting this man, it is tried and true, fair and best of all DEMOCRATIC! And as previously mentioned the E colleges have to end, a 12 yr old could work out this system is self defeating, if given the facts of how this works. 'Boys' the fine is a little higher than $20 these days!

In NZ we must register but its your choice weather you ever vote. Theres a fine if you dont register ( each voting cycle ). Its held on a weekend, schools open up for polling booths as well as many other places. Schools have sausage sizzles and such to fundraise from visiting voters. Takes 10 mins. We get mailout reminders to check our details are correct. Mailout voting IDs that we can take in to show helpers , striking our names off the distrct books manually. Paper voting including those overseas.

If we allow more mail-in voting and (mind blowing concept) online voting, we wouldn’t need to even discuss water and food handed out to voters in long lines at the only polling place in minority counties nor the need of getting off work to get to the polls. Plus we need ranked choice voting.

Hi Al , this was a really great podcast to listen to. Universal voting would be a great idea.

Here's an idea: We don't need a new Voter Photo IDs. As soon as a person has a social security # they are automatically registered to vote but don't get to vote until age 18, or are granted naturalized citizenship. A photo should be added to SS cards to act a Photo ID for voting that is updated every 10 years. And give everyone who votes a $100 tax credit to encourage people to vote rather than a fine for not voting.

Thanks Al for another interesting and informative show. We would never hear about universal voting from the network news outlet. Terrific idea, I am all for universal voting. The more involved citizens are, the better. Universal voting would strengthen and protect our democracy.

Al's podcasts are like a warm blanket

Yes universal voting makes the most sense! Especially in America! Why a fine thou????

I’m so sick of these being boring. So glad for a good one….for a change ❤️

let’s do this NOW and start it off with automatic voter registration with drivers licenses!! ty🗳️🔵🗳️🔵👉🏻🗳️

I have been hoping to hear this discussed. Thank you.

Thank You EJ Miles✨🇺🇸✨

I'm for it! Saw these folks at Westminster in MPLS and was energized by the damn obvious goodness of the system.

I wonder how the GOP plans to stop this idea. They will lose every time.

Almost didn''t listen because I thought I didn't care about this. Then I decided to listen for just a few minutes and thought I didn't like the idea. But then I listened to the whole thing and now I support the idea fully. Must be a pretty good podcast you've got there, Al.

Greetings from Australia.The system does not stop negative campaigning. It also makes people vote who are not interested in the issues and might push them towards populist candidates. I personally prefer the system in Europe where it is not compulsory but it is very easy to vote. Many countries do not allowvall this private and dark money in their elections. The campaign finance issue seems to he a major problem in the US. I would focus on making it easier to vote instead of compulsory. My gut feel teels my Americans would not like to he forced to vote.

Increasing voter turnout that also motivates voters to understand the topics and politicians is a bonus for everyone but the added plus is reducing the ridiculous spending the current hateful process motivates. Thank you for bringing this into the conversation.

I think it's a great idea. Make people pay attention, educate themselves. I don't like the electoral vote. I'm tired of carrying racist states. That do little if any to change their bad behavior✨🇺🇸✨

Trying to get people to register here in SC, many people told me they didn't want to do jury duty, and jurors are pulled from the voter rolls. SMH.

We will never have a country of, by and for the people without campaign finance reform.

Thank You Al✨🇺🇸✨

Usa citizen in AUS ... benefits to universal AND preferential (ranked) voting .. 1) less awful TV advertising, 2) shorter election period ... waayyyyy shorter, 3) it is all so much cheaper to run. If for some reason you literally cannot vote on election day and you get a fine you can go to your local council office & explain why. They will either waive or not waive your fine. It is amazingly easy and it feels good! Also, polling places host sausage sizzles and bake sales and sometimes little pop up craft fairs!! AND voting at schools means there is a playground available for bored young pre-voters :-) so... Dear America, DO IT!!!

How long have I been listening to his podcast and only just realise the catchphrase for a the show 'for a change' has a double meaning. I for one am, for a change. Because you only want to change things for the better and keeping things the same means never aspiring for things to improve.

I’ve always thought this was a wonderful idea. It’s our duty as American citizens to vote.

Americans will never go for making voting easier or more fair! Much like the filibuster and gerrymandering is wanted by both parties as it suits their needs. I would never call the United States a great democracy. Great podcast.

In New Zealand, they vote online. And it's secure, just like when I bank, renew my driver's license, buy groceries, pay my income tax, and visit the doctor. I do these things in the US. I'm convinced voting can be done the same way; especially since it already is. In New Zealand.

In Australia, voting is not compulsory. Turning up at the polling place and having your name crossed off is compulsory. Whether you fill in the ballot paper or write something rude about politicians is up to you.

And we have VERY educated people!!!

I favor 100% voting 100%. I’m dubious about the Compact idea. If my state voted for the Dem, but gave EC votes to the Rep, I’d be pissed. Question: when is the last time (if ever) that a Dem won the presidency while losing the popular vote?

Thx Al, EJ and Miles 🌿 from Australia

I honestly think that if Memphis and Nashville were to institute universal manditory voting, along with other blue or purple cities in red states, Tennessee would absolutely rip up the pavement like Roadrunner to be first to institute statewide mandatory universal voting.

also, get the news media out of the voting report business. wait until all votes are counted to announce things officially and remove the drama of watching the count.

Both right and left leaning governments have been elected in Australia under this system.

This is a great idea.. I hope Minnesota can lead the way in this!!!! Love this show Al .. for a change;)))

great idea --- been saying it myself for years

In Australia, once you are an enrolled voter, you remain enrolled - until death! We have preferential voting. I'll use a Fox News as a simplistic analogy to explain the difference re first across the post to preferential voting - Fox might win the 'most' viewers in a time slot, but add up the numbers of viewers for MSNBC, CNN, CBS, ABC etc & it is clear, most people prefer to NOT watch Fox. Given the choice, an MSNBC viewer might prefer CNN etc down the line. We have 2 major, several minor other fringe parties in Australia which seek to represent the diversity of positions & priorities of the people. Our Senate does not have a filibuster. The tyranny of an unrepresentative minority is generally checked. Our judges are required to retire at age & adhere to ethical procedure. Unlike the citizens of the US, few Australians lay claim to being the greatest democracy the world has, or shall ever know. At most polling stations, community groups have a kiosk where citizens can buy water/drinks & a 'Democracy Sausage' sandwich for $2. We gather & celebrate, however briefly, the precious right of every citizen to vote. I for one, am always grateful when I vote, I arrive, am greeted, say my name, cast my vote & leave. No guns. No intimidation. No fear. Free.

While I agree with the concept, I have some misgivings. Do away with the Electoral College. Include state & local elections. Encourage voter information & civics education. Rank choice voting versus party politics. We need informed voters more than more uninformed voters.

Very very interesting. It is interesting to me what new and exciting thinking has been stimulated by the current CRISIS in which we find ourselves. I could've done without the crisis, but I appreciate the stimulus.

Thanks ,33 years ada and you captions..love that requirement😊

I've come to believe that the goal of politicians is to keep the national balance of the two political parties so corporations are encouraged to contribute more. If one party got too much of an advantage, the contributions would dry up.

I’m Australian and I don’t endorse it. The US needs to deal with Party gerrymandering first and make registration almost automatic. Red states won’t do this because they don’t want a majority of people voting.

Not until term limits are put in. Two terms and out

Australians also use a ranked voting system which better reflects the will of the people.

Universal voting was brought to me by my world traveling elementary school teacher! Maybe we should follow our Aussie Brothers lead and have a party , paid for by the state from the fines of non voters! It’d be interesting and do away with the electoral college! But there again, I believe that Government should be of Laws rather than Men!

I love the idea, but many Americans who would vote only because they had to would just use name recognition, which would mean he who advertises the most wins.

I’ve been proud to vote in all but 1 election since 1967, the one I was having emergency surgery ! I think it aught to be a law!

Al please come back to main stream somehow more people need to hear you .Democrats were to afraid to back you during the early years of woke but we still need you in the discussion.

This would be marvelous

Universal voting would be prceisely the opposite of the Republican agenda, that is, to get fewer people to vote. They want to make voting harder for groups in the other party, and make everyone value the right to vote less by promoting cynicism and misinformation. For example, through their decades old slogan "America is a republic, not a democracy." (actually it's both) So I wish us luck and Godspeed as we try to swim against the current of oligarchy and fascism.

Al, I'm still waiting for you to get back in the game. You could be in the Senate and do a new Fireside Chat series on RU-vid while in office.

voting for over 300 million people should be voting week. Not a single day but over a week. It takes a week to count the votes anyway.

Great idea! I thought this should be done for years!

vote kids. vote in huge numbers. because if you vote in huge enough numbers this time, then the next time you vote, your polling place could be a Dave and Buster's or BW3.

Plus each state has equal numbers of representation, say 200,000 per representative. California congressional representation would be much larger than Wyoming

As a Canadian in Oshawa I think this is a great idea.

I'm an expat who lives in Uruguay since 1989... Here it's obligatory to vote if you are a citizen if you fail to do so You have to pay the fine... If you don't participate and refuse to pay the fine you can loose the rights'and privilege of a citizen

I am an Australian and I was fined one year for not voting. That year there really was nobody worth voting for. My wife is from Milwaukee Wisconsin so I am interested in US politics. Trump could never have been elected here IMHO.....

Voting is an essential component of citizenship. The most functional societies on earth have universal voting. It WORKS!

A major problem with this idea in the U.S., it seems to me, would be the large number of easily manipulated, willfully low-information, potential voters who would be forced to go to the polls to cast their easily manipulated, willfully low-information, potential votes.

In Peru, they told me that they pay a fine out of their taxes if they don't participate in voting.

I'm going to give you a good first step to at least get most people registered to vote and it is SO simple. In Canada, there is a box on our income tax returns. It asks you if you want to be included on the voter's list. You have to check yes or no in order to get your return processed so you can't miss it. It automatically registers you to vote in every election - local, provincial and federal. It gets updated every year as changes to address are recorded. Almost every one files an income tax return , even if you don't have taxable income. We have a federal sales tax and you are eligible for a quarterly refund under a certain income.

Great idea!! 🇺🇸

Can they vote "none of the above" when all the candidates are inferior.

Liking this idea of universal voting. Too many times, I hear folks griping that they always have to choose whichever candidate is the lesser evil. These folks also think both parties are the same. Tried explaining that the only way there will be a candidate they agree with 100% is if they are the candidate. Please vote, but vote wisely.

What's wrong with including rank choice voting with universal voting? Shouldn't we seriously consider Gilens and Page's work : "Testing Theories of American Politics: elites, interest groups and average citizens" (2014) if we're serious about an inclusive "democracy"?

Very interesting idea...I hope it can be realized in the USA.

And those Australians are very social and like to party!

The small fine for not voting helps pay for the voting process.

I love this idea . And if we are going to keep our electoral vote system , so we dont erode our constitution, we need to simply say , ok this person got this many electoral college votes and this person got this many popular votes . And of the number for the popular vote is hier than the numbers of votes in the electoral college numbers , we have to go with the popular vote .

First, we need to have automatic registration when you come of voting age. Universal voting sounds like a great idea.

Its a rule that is long overdue. The Electoral College is grossly outdated too. Let's eject that as well..Great discussion. Democracy is at great risk. The alternative is horrific.

I have been promoting this concept since 2015.

Abstaining is a legitimate form of democratic expression. There have been many many cases where politics have been so manipulated that no real choices exist. Consider the situation in places like Russia, China, and dozens and dozens of countries where parties are systematically excluded. Why should I be forced to vote for another party, when I may have spent months or years organizing for another party? What makes it work in Australia is that they have a multiparty system. It's not a matter of if you vote, it's if the political system allows useful and fair inclusion. While you might disagree with a parallel being drawn between the US and countries like Russia and China, the fact is that the same exclusion of participation, the structural marginalization of a portion of the electorate's best choce is practically speaking indistinguishable. Voter registration, and its correlative, primaries are also key to the unsuccessful condition of the US democracy. Primaries provide a forum for an arbitrarily large number of people who have no electoral program that relates to an electable platform. You would not have this kind of extremism without primaries, and that's why almost no mature democracies have them. Americans try to smooth over the differences between primaries and things like leadership campaigns in Westminster democracies. They are not the same. Finally, mandatory voting doesn't solve the problem of gerrymandering. That's the far bigger issue.

Al, do what you can to make votes count…I didn’t vote for years because it never counted, I do now for the popular

Bring this to Canada too!

Complusory voting is a good thing. But anyone who hopes it would be good for the political climate is going to be disappointed. Right-wingers in Australia know that everyone has fear, greed and hatred in ther hearts. Their way to power is to appeal to genuinely wide-spread fears, greed and hatreds, rather than the niche ones U.S. right-wingers do. Implement compulsory voting in the U.S. and see the Right do a bit less anti-black racism, and a lot more xenophobia about “illegals” etc.

I wish we had this in NZ too.

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😊👍

Let's do it!!!