If we mark the best box on a multiple test, they usually let you cop out with one or two really likely choices. A good test taker learns the ropes. Sometimes he/she learns the subject.
I respect your knowledge and know you have background which we should take seriously. The above facetious remarks deal with more than voter apathy. On this page, let's call it culture.
New rules for administering elections are certainly needed. Of course, we will have to iron out the kinks between recent federal laws like HAVA and Voters' Rights mandates and what the states have jealously contended were their province. At the moment a lot of criticism against voter irregularities falls on the shoulders of Secretaries of State, rightly or wrongly.
Even with strict rules for mandatory voting, we will have suspicion of the system. In my view, it really starts with candidates' advertising. (During the 04 campaign, I heard from voters that they were sick of Kerry's saying "I have a plan." I was on his side and I was also.) I do not believe that requiring a jaundiced voter to vote will make a thoughtful voter.
In the long run, those who excuse their lack of voting do so with "None of them know what I need." Or "They'll tell you anything until they get in office."
It appears that campaign finance reform creates more money--and chicanery--than before. It's a little like Moore's law in computer memory, an exponential increase. And now early primaries add more strain on constraint.
In what ways would obligatory voting create even more chasing to the bottom line? I do not believe that blogging has helped. In some cases, it hurts, because many enthusiastic bloggers seem to equate support with money. I can't help but think of the Supreme Court case's "money is speech" edict and wonder when the screaming will start. Just looking at Mitch McConnell on C-Span gets me started on that catastrophy.
In closing this, I repeat that the idea of mandatory voting is probably a good idea. But to make it palatable to the disillusioned and reflective of true majority sentiment, we will need to put that idea in context with the zealotry of campaign handlers, media, and advertising companies.