Bill Overview
Title: Civic Duty to Vote Act
Description: This bill requires each eligible citizen to vote in each regularly scheduled general election for federal office. The bill establishes a $20 civil monetary penalty for failure to vote. In the case of an individual's first violation of the voting requirement, the penalty shall not apply and the appropriate state election official must notify the individual that a penalty will be assessed for any subsequent violation. Further, the bill outlines an additional exception and waiver to the assessment of a penalty. The penalty shall not apply in instances when the individual certifies to the appropriate state election official that the individual has a valid and sufficient reason for not voting, or the state election official grants a waiver to an individual who either certifies that the individual cannot afford to pay the penalty or attests that the individual will complete one hour of community service. The bill prohibits state election officials from sharing information with law enforcement agencies regarding an individual's certification or waiver of the penalty. Further, the bill prohibits law enforcement agencies from using this information to subject the individual to additional penalties or criminal investigation. The bill also requires the Election Assistance Commission to (1) develop and publish best practices for states to implement this bill's requirements, and (2) make grants to states to implement this bill's requirements.
Sponsors: Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
Target Audience
Population: Eligible voters for federal elections worldwide in countries with mandatory voting laws
Estimated Size: 259000000
- The Civic Duty to Vote Act targets eligible citizens, which include all individuals who have the right to vote in federal elections.
- In the U.S., eligibility to vote is generally granted to citizens who are at least 18 years old. As of 2023, the U.S. population aged 18 and over is approximately 259 million.
- This act does not apply to residents without voting rights, such as non-citizens, people under 18, and those disenfranchised by legal means.
- Additionally, not all eligible citizens vote in every election. Voter turnout for federal elections generally varies between 50-70%.
- The bill imposes a penalty for failing to vote but provides exceptions and waivers, including financial hardship and valid reasons for not voting.
Reasoning
- The eligible voting population in the U.S. includes about 259 million individuals. The Civic Duty to Vote Act is expected to mostly affect those who typically do not vote, which in federal elections can vary between 30-50% of eligible voters.
- Considering the budget constraints, the Act's implementation must be efficient, with costs per individual voter impacted being feasible across the projected span of 10 years and initial implementation costs in the first year not exceeding $85 million.
- The Act's exceptions such as waivers for financial hardship or valid non-voting reasons suggest a compassionate approach to raising voter participation without excessive financial burden on individuals, recognizing socio-economic disparities in voting patterns.
- This simulation includes a diverse range of ages, occupations, and locations to portray varying perspectives and emphasize how personal circumstances and opinions might influence the perceived impact of such a policy.
Simulated Interviews
Nurse (Austin, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's a good idea to motivate everyone to participate. We all need a say in our leadership.
- The penalty seems fair and the community service option is a reasonable alternative.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Columbus, Ohio)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mandatory voting is an amazing step towards full participation; however, accessibility must be improved simultaneously.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Voting should be a duty. But, more education is needed, not just penalties.
- It’s a start but the focus should be on why people don’t vote to begin with.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Software Developer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm indifferent; I always vote via mail.
- Seems bureaucratic, but if it gets more people to vote, that's good.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (New York, New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This feels like government overreach.
- People should have the freedom to choose whether or not to vote.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
College Student (Orlando, Florida)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think everyone should vote—it’s our right and our job!
- This policy would really push people to participate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Machinist (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The penalty is a stress on people like me who can’t always make it to the polls.
- If voting times were more flexible, this might work better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Teacher (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 57 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm pleased to see an initiative promoting civic duty.
- Hope schools will also emphasize this importance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Environmental Scientist (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While everyone should vote, I'm worried about the added stress on underprivileged communities.
- I hope the waivers and community service really help them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Miami, Florida)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's our duty to vote, but imposing a penalty seems harsh.
- I'm okay with it if there are fair exceptions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $85000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $110000000)
Year 2: $80000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $105000000)
Year 3: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 5: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 10: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 100: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Key Considerations
- Mandatory voting could face substantial public resistance or legal challenges due to perceived infringement on individual freedoms.
- Accurate forecasting of voter non-compliance and subsequent waiver usage will be challenging and could lead to revenue variations.
- States will require timely and sufficient funding to implement necessary systems for monitoring and compliance.
- There could be variances in state handling of waivers and certification processes due to differences in existing state infrastructure.
- Impact on election results due to increased voter turnout could alter political landscapes in ways that are difficult to predict.