ELI5: Is it not crazy that there is 38 million people living in California and only 4 million (~10%) just decided the Californian primary? Why is this system regarded as fair?
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Posted Jun 8, 2016, 9:15 AM UTC
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People get the government they deserve. Apathetic people get to have other people make their decisions.
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Because firstly it's expressly forbidden in the Constitution to make voting mandatory. Secondly, it's assumed that those who bother to go and vote (myself included) at least sort of know what they're voting for. Mandatory voting would lead to a lot of people not caring who they vote for but just voting to get the obligation out of the way, which could lead to a pick for the President that isn't ultimately the best pick (in the public's actual opinion).
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Thirdly, this is not a vote done by the government.
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Remember this is just a primary election. No one will actually hold an office afterwards. Do you have primaries in Belgium and are they mandatory?
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Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s):
ELI5 is for explanations of complex concepts, not for asking for opinions. Your question may be better suited for r/AskReddit, r/ChangeMyView, or r/OffMyChest. Whichever sub you choose to post on, make sure to read its rules.
You seem to misunderstand the function of primaries.
Please refer to our detailed rules.
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Those who chose not to vote had the right to do so. It's fair because people weren't denied their rights.