[oska]

I would make a distinction between curating voting information and displaying it once a user searches for that kind of information versus running a "Go Vote" banner (google doodle) on the home search page without a user having made any inquiry on that subject. The latter is what is being complained about in point 2 (I've now looked at the pdf).

[DannyBee]

I wouldn't. Pretty much everywhere tries to get the vote out. Most workplaces send out email reminders, etc. Every single person in the US gets a card in the mail reminding them to vote.

Literally everyone is trying to remind people to vote. This is a good thing.

Anyone complaining about anyone trying to remind people to vote is just ridiculous.

[oska]

It depends on whether you think everyone should be encouraged to vote or whether you think only people who are 'informed voters' should vote (people who have followed the political debate and are informed on policy positions, etc). The latter don't need to be encouraged; they are self-motivated.

Again, I'm not taking either position myself but those are two different political positions which exist. Google is choosing one and thus taking a political, pro-active stance.

[Guvante]

> only people who are 'informed voters' should vote

That is not a valid position to have and thus doesn't need to be considered.

Voting is the best way to figure out how everyone feels on things. As annoying as it is party lines giving free passes to incumbents that is a problem better solved via other methods such as term limits.

Even if someone is going to vote opposite of me I would rather they express that opinion than have the vote not hear their voice.

The solution to uniformed voters is for people to become informed not avoid people going to the polls.

[DannyBee]

This particular question was answered at the founding of our country, and doesn't need to be answered again. Also - attempts to do so since have mostly been naked racism/sexism[1]

Calling it a "political, pro-active stance" is, well, ridiculous.

I guess you can try to label everything, but i don't think you are going to find a lot of support for your attempt.

[1] I'm speaking about poll taxes, poll tests, etc.