Key Findings

1.  SB 5209 would require all citizens over age 18 to vote in every primary and general election.

2.  Any citizens could request a waiver and there would be no penalty for not voting.

3.  Some democratic countries mandate voting, but communist countries like North Korea and the former Soviet Union use the same policy.

4.  In the U.S., civil rights include the right to not be forced to speak or act against one’s will.

5.  For most people the right to vote includes the right not to vote.

6.  SB 5209 would violate the norms of our democracy and would likely invoke a strong negative reaction.

Introduction

A bill has been introduced which for the first time would make participation in Washington elections mandatory for every citizen in the state over the age of 18.

The bill is SB 5209, “relating to establishing universal civic duty voting,” was introduced on January 6th by Senator Sam Hunt and 13 co-sponsors. All the senators sponsoring the bill belong to one party.  The bill received a hearing in the Senate State Government and Elections Committee on January 31st.

This Legislative Memo provides an overview of the bill, explains the unprecedented nature of its provisions, reviews how it would erode civil rights protections and the major negative impact it would have on voluntary democracy in Washington state.