Over-reliance on social factors, mass intimidation, and groupthink categorization is going to backfire horrendously one day. I hope I'm not around to see it.

what kind of penalty should there be? Monetary? Jail time? I actually think a bit of education at the high school level on how important elections are would be the ideal solution, plus enough time for more populous areas to be able to cast their ballots without having to stand in line forever also is a plus.

You have the right to vote, but you should also have the right not to vote.

The best thing would be to have a more informed population, that studies all issues, and votes wisely. That would be a huge step forward. What I don't want is a bunch of people who vote only to avoid a fine. I could argue that not voting can be a form of protest, and as such should be constitutionally protected.

I don't think people SHOULD sit out an election and not vote, but I think they certainly have the right to.

...spectacular idea. It's the 'force' part that chills me (and authoritarianism -always- chills me, its like my #1 issue). But the solutions you mention here are A-OK to me.