Would you vote if you didn't have to ?

[buggerlugs]

http://www.news.com.au/national/figh...-1226317057696

[Mont5.0]

why wouldnt you vote? Thats a chance for you to voice your opinion. Think if everyone chose not to vote.

[graham_h]

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

why wouldnt you vote? Thats a chance for you to voice your opinion. Think if everyone chose not to vote.

But does it change anything ?
Has any government ever done the right thing by it's people ?
Personally I wouldn't bother

[Mont5.0]

Originally Posted by graham_h

But does it change anything ?
Has any government ever done the right thing by it's people ?
Personally I wouldn't bother

Thats my point. you wouldn't bother, i would. And yes i have seen governments doing right by its people, then they decided to vote back in the labour party . If everybody didnt bother voting- fair enough,-but how long before they are bitching and moaning saying they didnt get their say?

[gtxb67]

is voting actually compulsory - i had the impression, it is only compulsory once you have enrolled. i didn't think not enrolling was illegal

it doesn't matter to me though, i would still vote

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by gtxb67

is voting actually compulsory - i had the impression, it is only compulsory once you have enrolled. i didn't think not enrolling was illegal

it doesn't matter to me though, i would still vote

I would vote. No ifs or buts.... I guess every one counts.

Voting isn't techniclly compulsory, ticking your name off is.

[wulos]

Originally Posted by gtxb67

is voting actually compulsory - i had the impression, it is only compulsory once you have enrolled. i didn't think not enrolling was illegal

it doesn't matter to me though, i would still vote

By law you are required to enroll within 30 days of becoming elligible(either by turning 18, or achieving Australian citizenship.)
There are a number of reasons for not being entitled to vote(criminal record etc), as well as a number of accepted excuses(even being overseas may be frowned upon depending upon timing, as they provide prepoll / postal voting facilites).
Once enrolled you are required to register yourself as having voted / attended a polling place at all three levels of governmental elections(federal / state / local).
Many people assume that it being ill, having to work is accepted as an excuse. Depending upon the election you may be in for a please explain notice should you choose not to get your name marked off as having voted.

[turbodewd]

Australia is the best country in the world by far (Canada and Norway - too cold!). Its a safe place, a fun place and an orderly place blessed by a lack of crowding and good climates. By forcing us to visit the ballot box every 2 yrs (approx, considering state or federal elections) we are reminded that we are responsible citizens.

Id rather live in the over-regulated Australia than the virtually unregulated USA. The USA is full of too many extremes and extreme views.

[trippytaka]

I would vote.

Look across to the USA to see what happens when voting isn't mandatory.

[NickyN]

Originally Posted by trippytaka

I would vote.

Look across to the USA to see what happens when voting isn't mandatory.

Good point. Here you need to register to vote. It's not a law that once you turn 18 you have to register. Once registered you can vote by absentee ballot or at lots of different locations on the day of the election, some states even have online voting. But sadly, out of those who registered, not all even turn out to cast their vote. Then they complain. Voting is a way to have your voice be heard.

Actually, I remember some research that said that countries with compulsory voting (compared to opt-in voting) had higher turnout levels and participation in the process.

[ute83]

Nope, i wouldn't vote if i didn't have to. I don't like the system where a candidate who gets the most votes may not be elected.

[XR227]

Originally Posted by ute83

Nope, i wouldn't vote if i didn't have to. I don't like the system where a candidate who gets the most votes may not be elected.

I agree totally, the system is a joke.
I wish i didn't enroll, as it is seems that the Party who does get in can drag
along other groups like the greens or independents.
Bloke at our work reckons you can get your name ticked off the list on election
day and just walk out with out actually voting.

[BigBlue]

Originally Posted by ute83

Nope, i wouldn't vote if i didn't have to. I don't like the system where a candidate who gets the most votes may not be elected.

The down side with "first past the post" results is one person might get more votes but more voters want some one else.

(in a simple analogy: 4 candidates and 5 voters.
Candidates 1, 2 , 3 and 4 get one vote each from voters A , B , C and D.
Voter E really doesn't like any candidate but votes for 1 in a donkey vote.
So candidate 1 wins since they have 2 votes , but more than half the voters 60% don't want them in power.)

To the original question YES I would vote if it was not compulsory.

Peter.

[75van]

Originally Posted by BigBlue

The down side with "first past the post" results is one person might get more votes but more voters want some one else.

(in a simple analogy: 4 candidates and 5 voters.
Candidates 1, 2 , 3 and 4 get one vote each from voters A , B , C and D.
Voter E really doesn't like any candidate but votes for 1 in a donkey vote.
So candidate 1 wins since they have 2 votes , but more than half the voters 60% don't want them in power.)

To the original question YES I would vote if it was not compulsory.

Peter.

I'm glad that others realise that first past the post is even worse than some of the systems we have at the moment - this is a well put example of how it is unfair. The larger the numbers of voters the worse it gets.

However, the quota system that runs here in Tassie is grossly unfair - as it it based on when the votes are counted - everyone who votes in the morning on polling day could vote for one side, but a larger majority who vote in the afternoon could want someone totally different.

And I would also vote even if it wasn't compulsory - I feel that if you haven't voted you have no right to whinge about who is in power. If you have voted you have the right to complain to your local member who got in and pressure them into acting on your behalf.

[DJM83]

I wouldnt, and i didnt this time. I couldnt get away from work (didnt know i was working on polling day until the day before) so i called them and got exempted. I dont care much for politics nor could i care who is running what.

[Donny]

If I had the choice, NO I wouldn't vote.

Dosent matter who you vote for or what puppet gets in power, once they get to the top their all either hopelessly corrupted or controlled by big businesses or filthy rich backers, so choosing or having your say is just choosing "a face" who is basically a mouthpeice or puppet for the hidden people who wield the real power.

[DJL351]

Originally Posted by DJM83

I wouldnt, and i didnt this time. I couldnt get away from work (didnt know i was working on polling day until the day before) so i called them and got exempted. I dont care much for politics nor could i care who is running what.

Originally Posted by Donny

If I had the choice, NO I wouldn't vote.

Dosent matter who you vote for or what puppet gets in power, once they get to the top their all either hopelessly corrupted or controlled by big businesses or filthy rich backers, so choosing or having your say is just choosing "a face" who is basically a mouthpeice or puppet for the hidden people who wield the real power.

^^ As above. I don't trust either side and therefore do not want anything to do with any state or Fed donkeys (sorry, Pollies)

[Paxton]

I'd be there like normal - the minute the polling booth opens.

I was quite active politically in the Blue side when I was younger, and there is no reason why I wouldn't vote, especially with the jokers running the country at the moment.

[Chilliman]

The 1st right of any true Democracy should be the right not to participate! I have always voted but I don't think you should 'force' people to vote if they really don't want too.

I suspect alot more people would 'donkey' vote but they just randomly fill in the ballot paper out of a sense of paranoia that some-one is checking on them.

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by Paxton

I'd be there like normal - the minute the polling booth opens.

I was quite active politically in the Blue side when I was younger, and there is no reason why I wouldn't vote, especially with the jokers running the country at the moment.

My thoughts exactly.

However, it is, in my view, undemocratic that those with no interest in politics are forced to vote. The 'red side' are strongly in favour of compulsory voting, as they realise that they would have barely any hope of winning an election if voting were no longer compulsory.

[EgoFG]

I think it is undemocratic to legislate that a person who has no opinion must express one.
This will skew the votes toward whoever has the best ads, or the most attractive person handing out "how to vote leaflets" - resulting in minorities having too much control.
Perhaps a box at the bottom saying "I Really and passionately do not care" would be good.

[GK]

Originally Posted by EgoFG

I think it is undemocratic to legislate that a person who has no opinion must express one.

What about people with an opinion but too lazy to express it?

GK

[max_torq]

I vote.

I encourage everyone else too as well, even if they vote different to me.

Its the one time when the ******** stops, and politicians are at your mercy so give them the thumbs up, or down. If its not compulsory it is too easy for them to manipulate us with the media, breeding cynicism, alienating minorities etc.

and who has no opinion? really..

[NickyN]

I agree. Voice your opinion. If not, you're leaving it up to the other voters to decide and then nonvoters are stuck with whoever wins the election.

I vote.

[LTDHO]

I wouldn't as I don't care which joker gets in. Neither will do as they say or back up the common Australian.

[creative]

I was in the uk for 22 years. I was able to vote for 12 of them.

I never once set foot in a polling booth. As mentioned above the system of who gets the most votes still may not win is flawed.

I never agreed with anything the politicians say as they are all lying, thieving toe rags.

The first time I ever voted was when I moved back here.... They should give the option to vote for no party IMHO.

[DBourne]

I would.

Also I believe if you didn't vote, then you have no right to whinge about the gov't. You had your chance and you choose to let it slide.

[creative]

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

I would.

Also I believe if you didn't vote, then you have no right to whinge about the gov't. You had your chance and you choose to let it slide.

But what if I do not agree with any of the parties? I vote for something I do not want? How is that fair?

This is why they should have an option to vote for no one. I can gaurantee that it would be a very popular box ticked and would be a massive voice for the general public that we are sick and tired of politicians lining their own pockets first.

[tranquilized]

Compulsory voting forces people who have no interest in or understanding of politics to vote - not good. I shudder when I think of some of the votes I cast when I was 18 and had absolutely no idea about anything.

But of course, the USA is a good example of non-compulsory voting and the problems that brings.

Neither way is perfect, but when it comes down to it I dont think voting should be compulsory - leave it to the people who actually care.

[HVAC PRO]

At the moment I'd rather not vote its like choosing between a punch in the face and a kick in the balls neither is a very appealing option.