The most effective way for the public to engage government is through the ballot box and public pressure . But only just over half of eligible Americans vote . To engage Americans , a system of universal voting is proposed . Americans would be required to go to the polls or submit an absentee ballot for national elections . A vote need not be cast : however Americans must show up . Readers can speculate on what impact increasing the voting electorate to 70 , 80 or even 90 percent would have on the political landscape and on curbing the worst excesses of culture , crusade and partisanship ( and perhaps reforming education too as informed voters are crucial to good government ) .