U.S. voters turned out in record numbers in 2020, hitting a 13 percent jump from 2016. Even so, the country lags behind many other democracies – including Belgium, Sweden, Australia, Uruguay, and South Korea – when it comes to voting. How would our country be transformed if we did away with arguments over voting rights and instead committed to an election process where every citizen not only has the right to vote, but a requirement to do so?
Twenty-six countries require participation in their elections. In 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting, co-authors E.J. Dionne and Miles Rapoport argue that the United States should follow in their footsteps. After all, Americans are required to pay taxes and serve on juries. Join us for a conversation with the authors and New York City Council member Alexa Avilés about universal voting and how to implement it.
Produced in partnership with New York University’s John Brademas Center
Speakers:
- E.J. Dionne, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution; Columnist, Washington Post; Co-author, 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting
- Miles Rapoport, Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Harvard Kennedy School; Co-author, 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting
- Moderator: Alexa Avilés, Member (District 38), New York City Council; Chair, Public Housing Committee
