For those struggling with democracy, here's how we do it (not perfectly but I think pretty fairly) in Australia.
1. Everyone is expected to vote. There is a small fine if you don't show up and get checked off the electoral roll. If you choose to vote by scribbling a dick and balls on your ballot paper, whatever. Campaigning is focused on issues not on "please go vote". Getting a call, text or email from a political party is pretty rare.
2. There is a government department tasked with making it easy and feasible for everyone to vote. Waiting longer than 5 mins is very rare. There is generally a polling place within walking distance. Pre-poll and postal voting are available for those who can't make it on the day (which is always a Saturday).
3. Voting is by ranked-choice. You cannot "waste" your vote, if your first preference comes last, your vote transfers to your second preferenace (and so on). This means independents and smaller parties get elected and can have influence.
4. After the election, parties receive a small amount of funding for each first-preference vote they receive. This means putting the Lazycrats *second* after the FreeKittensParty hurts the Lazycrats in their hip pocket, even if the FKP could never win.
5. Voting places are friendly. Usually they are a school or church where an impromptu jumble sale and barbecue happens. I have never seen a cop, soldier or even a display of anger at a polling place.
6. Campaign workers must stay a certain distance away from the polling place. Advertising must end the day before the election.
7. Election campaigns last about 4 weeks, not years.
You don't have to make this so fucking hard.
