I want to speculate on a variation of something Robert Heinlein set out in his book Starship Troopers. (Note I mean the book itself not the terrible films). The basic idea is that in order to gain the Vote the citizen must undertake a term of National Service. Now in the book that's military service, something which not everyone is capable of even if they're willing. Now suppose in the aftermath of either of the two World Wars a country rather than introducing a blanket universal suffrage instead required the potential voter to undertake a period of service to the state, either in a military role or working on some national project or in a public service such as working in a hospital. Of course to prevent accusations of disenfranchising whole sections of the community acceptance of someone wanting to earn the franchise this way must be automatic. For the sake of the discussion I'll say it's one of the British derived nations as that's the system I'm familiar with.
Upsides
Those who have the vote won't take it for granted as they earned it through their own hard work.
It will provide a way for someone to earn a living rather than go on the dole.
Downsides
It will be very expensive.
There are likely to be protests against the system.
What to do about those who already have the vote but haven't done any form of service. You can grandfather them in, in fact you'd have to, but that's unfair to those wishing to gain the vote after the change.
Upsides
Those who have the vote won't take it for granted as they earned it through their own hard work.
It will provide a way for someone to earn a living rather than go on the dole.
Downsides
It will be very expensive.
There are likely to be protests against the system.
What to do about those who already have the vote but haven't done any form of service. You can grandfather them in, in fact you'd have to, but that's unfair to those wishing to gain the vote after the change.
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