SACRAMENTO, CA – With vote by mail ballots for the upcoming primary election arriving in California homes this week, Assemblymember Marc Levine (D- Marin County) announced the introduction of AB 2070, which would require registered voters to cast a ballot in all future elections.
Beginning in 2022, AB 2070 would require that every registered voter in the state cast their ballot, either by mail or at a vote center. The California Secretary of State who oversees elections, would be authorized to enforce civil remedies, developed by their office, to ensure maximum voter turnout.
Across the globe, 30 nations currently require mandatory ballot casting – the oldest, Belgium, began compulsory ballot casting in 1893. In the past decade, California has taken dramatic steps to lower barriers to voting and increase voter participation including the passage of the Voter’s Choice Act, expanding early voting opportunities and making all vote by mail ballot envelopes postage paid. AB 2070 builds upon these efforts to increase voter participation by making voting compulsory.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport – it requires the active participation of all its citizens,” said Assemblymember Levine. “California is a national leader on expanding voting rights to its citizens. Those rights come with a responsibility by registered voters to cast their ballot and make sure that their voice is heard by their government. This is not a time to be complacent at the ballot box. My AB 2070 will ensure that the voices of all California voters are heard loud and clear.”
AB 2070 will be considered by the California State Assembly this spring.
17 comments
You don’t need to be a professor of law to realize that this won’t even pass Constitutional muster. What a stupid idea.
Land of the free?
Typical communist Far lefter politician telling us Americans how to live our lives or else. Can you imagine the voting corruption with this method? This guy is out of his mind.
Does this go for illegal aliens too? You want them to vote even not knowing who they are. What penalty will they get ? How will you enforce it? California politicians are just going too far to take away our rights.
Smarten up voters we do not need these types of leaders.
This is not the old Soviet Union! We have rights and freedom here in America! And that applies to California also!?
No. You are exercising your 1st amendment right to peacefully protest by waiving your right to vote if you choose for your own reasons. Precedent is a dangerous thing once its set. He’s not getting anywhere with this.
Why would I vote for candidates that drink from the same pepsi can. Besides, everybody knows that anybody in those positions is selected not elected for the new world order. Right?
Another California politician (democrat) with his head stuck so far up his ass that he cant see this state falling down around him.
Another example of someone who needs a real job. Why is Sacramento so full of these idiots? We voters need to pay closer attention to who we elect. We have enough bull shit laws and laws makers.
I believe in my constitutional right to vote. I choose not to register or vote. Never have and never will, and ki continue pay my taxes. Its a huge waste of my time to read all the political info and associated BS that is untrustworthy so i choose to ignore all politics and voting. Had something else much longer typed but stupid capcha would never pass and i lost my paragraph.
Gonna be alot of votes for deceased parents cast if this passes. This is so……….STUPID. Who in the H E Double Hockey Sticks is this Pompous Silver Spoon Tree Hugger think he/she is? They (being gender neutral) think this will be good? A simple case of child neglect if I ever saw one. Go play with your Ken dolls a little more member.
I knew that there would shiny American patriots who would post their usual, oh-so-idiotic, comments. These folks will whine and complain about government, but won’t do their DUTY as citizens and vote. ” Communist”? Please! Exercising your rights by NOT voting? Oh, how American. You don’t want to vote? Then STFU and have a beer, and leave intelligent discussion to people who are REAL Americans. People who participate
So anyone who disagrees with you is not a “real American”?
There are multiple ways of participation in voting:
– vote correctly
– invalid vote (for example too many checked)
– ballot tuned in but nothing selected
– ballot not returned
All versions have an effect on an election. You cannot say that any of the choices is not participating.
I partcipate, I vote, and I vote against dumb fucks like this. Voting is a right. A right is something you have whether you want to exercise it or not. Requiring anybody to vote is an infringement on our freedoms. For example, choosing not to vote for any of these lying self serving SOB’s can be a statement in and of itself, albeit a statement that isn’t heard. Its protected speech.
If there is nobody on the ballot that I like, then I DO NOT vote at all.
Do not wish to cast a vote but want to record that you did? Sign and hand deliver your mail in ballot to me and I will complete the rest for you. The signature is you swearing this is your vote, but how will the election officials know you fibbed and I sent it in on your behalf? Can I argue you are not capable of casting your ballot and stopping me is akin to illegally preventing you from going on record as casting a vote? After all, you said you have no interest in outcome or the hassle of the process and want to give me your right. Levine’s legislation is just as crazy as my explanation here.
Wow! A deep thinker this Levine. What could go wrong?
Comments are closed.