Tomi T Ahonen

Civilized Western nations do this in a very simple way, same for ALL CITIZENS

They get notice of an upcoming election. Here is where you can vote on election day. Here are places you can early vote. Here is your mail-in-ballot if you want to postal vote

That is how CIVILIZED democracies do it

Aug 31, 2024 at 6:26pmWeb
Show threadBig Head TalesAug 31, 2024

@tomiahonen

The American system is truly designed to disenfranchise voters, particularly poor and disadvantaged citizens.

It was originally designed to keep control in the hands of the wealthy and white.

Show threadTomi T AhonenAug 31, 2024
@bigheadtales that is one view, and there is ample evidence to that yes. I believe the opposite is true. That it was the gradual UNDERSTANDING of what democracy meant. First, let's take power away from the King and give it to 'all people' and at that primitive idea of all people, only those who could read or write, or had employees who could do so (why bother giving peasants or slaves a say, they would not understand). This gradually evolved to add women, give blacks vote, lower age of voting..
Show threadBig Head TalesAug 31, 2024
@tomiahonen
That’s an interesting point of view. I’ll have to think on that.
Show threadBig Head TalesAug 31, 2024

@tomiahonen

2nd thought…

it is incumbent upon a democratically elected government to to seek the mandate of the electorate. That means open elections, enumerating voters, non-partisan gerrymandering, non-partisan operation of the elections and counting of votes.

Show threadJharperjustinAug 31, 2024
@tomiahonen thats how we do it here in Australia. Elections on Saturdays to make it easier. Also a single independent electoral commission to oversee everything.
Show threadCelloMom On CarsAug 31, 2024

@tomiahonen

Oh, and campaigns start 2-3 weeks before voting day.

Show threadTomato 🍅 LadySep 1, 2024
@tomiahonen
Washington State, USA, has only mail-in voting. About a month before election period starts, we get a voter's pamphlet with the qualifying candidates and their unedited statements, and any referenda or initiatives with statements pro and con and who wrote those. Ballots arrive about a week ahead of voting period. Very organized and civilized.
I used to worry about coercive voting (spousal/elder abuse). I do miss going to the neighborhood polling place and seeing my neighbors.