Random voting

In an effort to improve voter turnout the Arizona Voter Reward Act (if approved) would give every voter a chance to win a prize of $1 million.  Great.  Why not hand out a bottle of vino with every vote or some crack?   Where is Richard Titmuss when you need him?   What sort of people won’t vote if there is no lottery but will vote if they get a lottery ticket and why do we want these people to vote?

Frankly, too many people vote already.  I know, that’s heresy against the great religion of democracy – i.e. worship of the mob – but other people voting is an externality on me and in this case I will side with Pigou.

Thanks to Curtis Melvin for the pointer.