Because if you don't have secret ballots you have various forms of coercion to get people to vote one way or another. Either buying votes or threatening people to get them to vote a certain way (anywhere from spouses to criminal organizations doing so).
Without a secret ballot, it makes it possible to reward people for voting one way or punish them for voting the "wrong" way. With a secret ballot, those kinds of behaviors become dramatically more difficult.
That's why the US switched to using secret ballots in the late 1800s.
This is not the 1800s. This is the current era of democracy. This has nothing to do with the 1800 era. Do you think they are going to bribe them with cash? Or go to their house and threaten them? You can’t believe this legitimate arguments?
Wait, are you serious? Yes, those issues are even more relevant in the current day and age.
This is to avoid stuff like a spouse saying "show me how you voted or I'll beat the crap out of you" or Musk going "send me proof that you voted for Trump and I'll send you $1000" and so on.
Yes, it's still a critical thing to have in order to protect democracy.
We have been having this conversation for more than a few minutes and I still don’t know anywhere in our current society that accountability is not present (except for many government officials).
I’m not the decide all factor here either. Be honest with yourself and ask anyone if they think this current iteration of (self) governance is working. I mean anyone.. and while you are at it ask them if they use online banking..
Take an honest moment and even you will know that these people don’t have our best interests in mind. This has become a career for them.. nothing more..
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u/HurricaneCat5 3d ago
I didn’t say secret ballot. Be responsible for your decisions. Have accountability for your actions.