Illinois lawmakers are weighing boosting voter turnout by consolidating elections and considering compulsory voting.
During a subject matter hearing of the House Ethics and Elections Committee on Wednesday, Miles Rapoport of the University of Chicago testified that countries such as Australia have seen turnout jump from 60% to more than 90% after implementing compulsory voting in 1924.
Republican State Representative Patrick Windhorst warned that mandatory voting could erode core freedoms.
Windhorst cautioned that even voluntary efforts to pressure abstaining voters could pave the way toward shaming or penalizing them.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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