Democratic assemblywoman Deborah Glick of the New York State Assembly has introduced legislation that would fine people who do not vote, and has been promptly criticized on the constitutionality of the measure.
Glick's legislation proposes a $10 fine for those who fail to vote without providing a "valid excuse," but she does not specify what a valid excuse would be, the New York Daily News reports.
Glick also wrote a memo claiming the bill's intention is to increase voter turnout and force elected officials to better represent their constituents.
"Mandatory voting would drastically increase civic participation and transform the political arena by making politicians more reflective of the constituents that elected them," Glick wrote.
The fines would be used for improving the electoral process, according to the memo.
The Republican chairman of the Senate Elections Committee Sen. Fred Akshar has challenged the bill as unconstitutional.
"Last time I checked, this was the United States of America and people have the right to vote or not to vote," Akshar said.
Akshar added that Glick's proposed legislation would harm the poor.
The New York State League of Women Voters also criticized Glick's bill.