SeeYouInTheWind OP t1_jbteexy wrote on March 11, 2023 at 3:54 PM

Reply to comment by [deleted] in Get ready for Daylight Saving time, which starts Sunday. by SeeYouInTheWind

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5209&Year=2023&Initiative=false

upleft t1_jbvy2dv wrote on March 12, 2023 at 3:23 AM

Did you read it?

You can get a waiver, you don’t have to provide a reason, you can cast a blank ballot, and there doesn’t appear to be any form of enforcement if you don’t do any of those things.

All this bill is doing is making voter registration opt out, rather than opt in. This is a good thing.

Feel free to opt out.

SeeYouInTheWind OP t1_jbw402q wrote on March 12, 2023 at 4:17 AM

In the U.S., no one is required by law to vote in any election. The Constitution states that voting is a right, not a “universal city duty.” The waiver is to opt out of registering to vote, not to vote in any given election. Furthermore, the bill states “ You may leave any portion or the entirety of this ballot blank. However, you are required by law to submit this ballot to your local county elections office by Election Day." So, sure, currently there is no stated penalty for not casting a ballot, but there’s certainly room for one later down the road.