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Should Voting Be Compulsory? One California Lawmaker Thinks So
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Feb 18, 2020
Listen 15:29
Should Voting Be Compulsory? One California Lawmaker Thinks So
A newly introduced California bill would make it a requirement that all registered voters cast a ballot, even if that ballot is unmarked.
AGUA DULCE, CA - NOVEMBER 06:  Democratic Congressional candidate Katie Hill fills out her ballot in a polling place in California's 25th Congressional district on November 6, 2018 in Agua Dulce, California. Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Knight is competing against Hill for his seat in the district in a close race. Political races across the country are being hotly contested for both House and Senate seats.  (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Democratic Congressional candidate Katie Hill fills out her ballot in a polling place in California's 25th Congressional district on November 6, 2018 in Agua Dulce, California.
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Mario Tama/Getty Images
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A newly introduced California bill would make it a requirement that all registered voters cast a ballot, even if that ballot is unmarked.

A newly introduced California bill would make it a requirement that all registered voters cast a ballot, even if that ballot is unmarked. 

If passed, AB 2070 would go into effect in 2022.

Should California have compulsory voting? How would it affect our elections? Might the legislation create unintended consequences? Call us at 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Assemblymember Marc Levine, California State Assemblyman representing the 10th district, which encompasses the North San Francisco Bay Area; he is the author of AB 2070

Elizabeth Spaldling, associate professor of government at Claremont McKenna College based out of D.C.; senior fellow at Pepperdine University’s school of public policy

Matt Barreto, professor of political science and Chicano/a Studies at UCLA and co-founder of the research and polling firm Latino Decisions; he tweets

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