Mandatory Voting and You.

[flavoureddestruction]

Hey all!

 

I'm from NSW, Australia and I just took my first step into adulthood by exercising my apparent right to vote, today. It's apparently a right to vote, but it seemed more like a chore if anything else (I'd have to pay a fine if I didn't vote).

 

Several months ago, I received a letter saying that I had been automatically put on the local electoral roll, because I was already 18 (I've since turned 19, but still). Two days ago, I found out I was to make a vote for the local elections.

 

Today, I went and I voted. Who for? No idea. What anyone was campaigning? No clue.

 

Do you think its right to have mandatory voting? In addition to that, what age is most appropriate for someone to be completely aware of what is going on?

 

I hear in the US, its an optional thing and you have to be 21? I'd like to hear from some people in the US on how they feel it is.

 

Cheers,

Sarah.

[Kwa]

Hey there!

 

I'm in Australia too, but down in Melboune and I think compulsory voting is stuuuupid!! There are only 10 countries in the world that enforce compulsary voting, so it must be dumb! Most of the time when I have to go vote, I have absolutly no clue who the candidates even are. This is especially true when it's just a local council election thats had no coverage in the newspaper or anything.

 

Most of the time I just end up getting my name ticked off and putting an empty ballot in the box, because I feel like I don't know enough about the candidates to make an informed decision, and I don't wanna vote for the wrong person!

 

Really.... if your just gonna randomly vote for anyone, or submit a blank vote just to avoid a fine, why bother at all.... they may as well just make it optional....

[Artios]

In the U.S., it's optional to sign up for voting when you're 18.

Even when you sign up, it's also optional to vote.

[tazrandus]

I was in a similar situation today. Australian and first time voting. I don't follow politics at all but had to vote anyway to avoid the fine. Technically you don't have to vote, you can do what Kwa did and just get your name ticked off. I can't really complain much because they open polling places everywhere and I have a few within walking distance. All you have to do is turn up and get your name marked off and this happens only once in a while. It's a bit of a bother but I guess the government gets to earn a handsome sum of money from those who forget to vote and have to pay the fine hmmmm it's probably all a money-making scheme.

[Xepha]

The turnout rate for the December 2008 general election was 57.43%, the lowest rate in 70 years.

^That's for provincial elections in Québec. And that rate is quite sad. So we just had an election that ended on tuesday. And the big campaign we saw on TV was around that fact and said go vote. The film maker Xavier Dolan made a short video on the topic as well. Feel free to watch. :P

 

So yes, there is a difference between forcing people to vote and explaining them why it's important and see the turnout rate going up.

[Nataluna]

I worked a few times counting votes for the Electoral Committee of Australia and btw its really funny what you see on some of those votes. I've read lots of bad jokes, some pretty obscene language and some interesting drawings too, i had someone write "this is a donkey vote" on a vote slip but technically even if you say that it still counts as a valid vote. write your name on it and it becomes invalid by the way, no identifying material can be on a vote.

 

I do believe in compulsory voting, i understand its a major pain and i've had lots of people tell me that when i crossed their names off for voting, but it does mean that we have Politicians who have to campaign on policy vs just getting people to the polls.

 

when you have parties elected on 27% of the votes of 40% or less of the vote eligible population and they turn out to not represent the views of the community... its not accurate to say that they really do have a mandate to direct our country. and based off preference voting, the party that ends up winning could only have started out with like 10% of the initial vote. which is really scary.

 

compulsory voting for local government i don't get. since actually in Australia local government exists only because they state government is not able to take care of local decisions, there is no place for local government in our constitution, just like its not officially worded in our (Australian) constitution about political parties either (the unwritten constitution) so really there isn't a reason (to me) why thats compulsory.

 

frankly my local Councillors are like dinosaurs, i always do read my voting pamphlets (aka junk mail) for local government and i then 4 of them have been Councillors for like 10 years, i took much glee in voting in someone new this year :D

 

Most political parties will do some sort of local promotion at the actual voting booths. sadly mine is a REALLY safe party seat but i still vote the way i want (make them feel less safe; and remember the recent federal election? Melbourne was won by the Greens (a minority Party) even though traditionally its been a safe seat for ages, and in Queensland Labor (one of the major Parties, and the party which currently runs Australia) recently suffered its worst defeat. ever, only winning 5 seats in their State House, worse because Queensland only has 1 House rather than the 2 other States have) so i think voting is a very important way of letting the Political Parties know the opinion of the public, and in expressing views and opinions.

 

errr... if you can guess i'm a very politically interested person :P and yes, pro-voting :laughingsmiley: but i believe its important that people have their say and if we didn't have compulsory voting most people wouldn't vote. and you do risk the scenario i mentioned above, when a elected party is elected via a minority of the vote-eligible population.

 

the fine for not voting goes up each time you refuse to vote. also if you continue to refuse, you eventually could end up in court.

 

I'm pretty excited to vote each time :P guess i'm the minority of the population :P

 

but voting is also really important since thats when the Government usually does Referendums (to change the constitution or law) as its hugely expensive to do it any other time, so its a chance for Australians to have direct imput into the laws which affect and govern us :P

 

also ironically if you want Australia to no-longer have compulsory voting, we will have to have a Referendum on that too :P

[Nimphal]

Compulsory voting seems... hmm... weird. In Bulgaria you are automatically signed as eligible to vote when you turn 18, but it is by no means compulsory. We do see less than 40% of the eligible population voting quite often - but really, that's because all politicians here are the same and it doesn't matter... long story. Compulsory voting is a thing of our communist past. To me, voting is a right, making it compulsory makes it a chore.

[flavoureddestruction]

In the U.S., it's optional to sign up for voting when you're 18.

Even when you sign up, it's also optional to vote.

I like that it's an option to sign up for voting, I honestly wasn't happy when I received a letter saying I was automatically enrolled because I was over 18... It made me feel like the Government has tabs on me... I know the government would obviously have information, but it's kind of creepy having a letter sent to my door saying it had signed me up to something I didn't decide purely because of age.

 

 

I was in a similar situation today. Australian and first time voting. I don't follow politics at all but had to vote anyway to avoid the fine. Technically you don't have to vote, you can do what Kwa did and just get your name ticked off. I can't really complain much because they open polling places everywhere and I have a few within walking distance. All you have to do is turn up and get your name marked off and this happens only once in a while. It's a bit of a bother but I guess the government gets to earn a handsome sum of money from those who forget to vote and have to pay the fine hmmmm it's probably all a money-making scheme.

I would have been too guilt stricken to throw in an empty vote or just get my name marked off (my parents went with me because they obviously needed to vote, too). And I absolutely agree on the government finding cruel ways of making revenue! As if GST and income tax isn't enough? Now they want a stupid carbon tax too.... .____.

 

 

So yes, there is a difference between forcing people to vote and explaining them why it's important and see the turnout rate going up.

Yes, voting is important and it's a way of exercising citizenship rights and whatnot, and also getting voices heard- I just wish there was more than just the Labour, Liberal, and Greens throwing flyers at us before going into the voting places. Having posters attached to power poles with faces also don't really help, they just become an eyesore and make people resent the whole campaigning.

 

compulsory voting for local government i don't get. since actually in Australia local government exists only because they state government is not able to take care of local decisions, there is no place for local government in our constitution, just like its not officially worded in our (Australian) constitution about political parties either (the unwritten constitution) so really there isn't a reason (to me) why thats compulsory.

...

but voting is also really important since thats when the Government usually does Referendums (to change the constitution or law) as its hugely expensive to do it any other time, so its a chance for Australians to have direct imput into the laws which affect and govern us :P

 

also ironically if you want Australia to no-longer have compulsory voting, we will have to have a Referendum on that too :P

State elections I generally follow becuase it'll be all over the telly, the paper, courier, and in mail boxes. In addition to that, there's a sense of importance that it will affect pretty much everyone, so I understand that. Local elections baffle me. There is little to no coverage and the little coverage is in the local monthly courier where they feature in a small rectangle about cleaning up a beach or visiting a local school to show kids how to cross a road. Yeah, its probably important to know that garbage is being taken care of, beaches are kept clean, life guards get recognition, local enrironment is looked after. Though whether this really requires an election on who does it is beyond me, though I would just hope that it's someone who knows what they're doing.

 

Compulsory voting seems... hmm... weird. In Bulgaria you are automatically signed as eligible to vote when you turn 18, but it is by no means compulsory. We do see less than 40% of the eligible population voting quite often - but really, that's because all politicians here are the same and it doesn't matter... long story. Compulsory voting is a thing of our communist past. To me, voting is a right, making it compulsory makes it a chore.

They should give an incentive to people who have to take time away to vote. I mean, even if you're overseas, you still would need to waddle over to an Australian Embassy to vote unless you had a really good excuse not to do it.

 

Even making the process easier would be great! Making following politics understandable would be fabulous!

 

Oh the dumb things I wish.... -____-

 

 

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[Rebecca~]

I don't know if I really like the idea lof compulsary voting... I don't think that people should have to vote if they didn't bother to read up on what the election is actually about. I think it's important to guage the amoun t of people that didn't vote as well, and try to find a way to engage them more in politics.

It kind of makes me think of the last US presidential election. They had one of the highest voter turnouts ever during that election-- I think that's what got people so excited- long lines to go vote, seeing people excited about politics for a change. There wouldn't have been the same excitement if volting was mandatory.

 

I would prefer if everyone was eligable to vote as soon as they turned 18 though. Putting myself on the voters list wasn't hard, but it was a bit of a pain- trying to find the place they were doing it at, getting myself down there--- and all for something that took 5 minutes. -shrugs- I would have prefered if I got a note when I turned 18 or whatever, and coiuld just go vote.

[passiflora]

I didn't even know mandatory voting existed! :O That said, I don't think I agree with it. People have a right to vote, but that doesn't mean they have to exercise it.

 

I think voter turnout would be a fairly decent gauge of voter interest in politics, and forcing people to do it might just mean that there's more uneducated or apathetic voters. Some people also feel that not voting is their way of making a statement about the candidates or a political system.

 

I do like that people have mentioned just showing up and casting an empty ballot if you don't know enough about the candidates. I don't think I'd have as much of a problem with compulsory voting if people were well informed that they can cast blank votes, or even if there were an actual option on the ballot like "no vote" or "none of the above" so people aren't just voting randomly.

[Emily]

I agree that the point of mandatory voting (everyone votes, more accurate gauge of the population and what they want) is defeated in practice. In Canada, like V mentioned, we have voluntary participation, but the turnout numbers are poor. In a mandatory system, everyone may turn up, but you're still not getting an accurate representation if people don't follow politics and just vote randomly.

 

when you have parties elected on 27% of the votes of 40% or less of the vote eligible population and they turn out to not represent the views of the community... its not accurate to say that they really do have a mandate to direct our country

 

I agree with Natalie in that there is no way such a small percentage could accurately represent the views of the community that voted, but the way I look at it is, if you choose not to vote and the winner happens to be one you don't like, it's your fault for not going to vote. This was a problem in many Canadian provinces for the longest time. People turning up to vote were traditionally middle-class, white, middle age and seniors. The younger generation (30 and under) voter turnout was abysmal, and still isn't great. But by only a small demographic voting, we ended up with a bias.

 

I've mde it a point to follow politics because I know that it directly affect my life. I've voted in every election since I turned 18. An incentive would be nice, but the ultimate obstacle is the knowledge that voting DOES make a difference. The mentality that "one vote doesn't change anything" needs to stop. And sure, ONE may not make a difference, but if millions of people think this way, then yes, it does make a huge difference.

[Welcome Back Apathy]

No. No way. For both the sake of the voter AND for the sake of the issue, it's a terrible idea.

 

Forcing someone to take time out of their day...forcing them to make their own way to the poll...bad idea. I guess you could mail in a ballot instead, but it's a hassle. A particular hassle to people with disabilities--a lot of polling places don't even have parking, or any kind of public transportation nearby. If someone doesn't want to vote, why make them?

 

Bad for the issue because I'd rather only have people who care about the issue vote. If someone has no idea, then they don't know what they're doing. On this last primary election this past Thursday, I did my research, only to find that there was no information anywhere about most of the candidates. I found that ridiculous. There was only one competition I voted in, and that was because I found information about both candidates and the choice was obvious.

[cleomiele]

While I don't like the idea of mandatory voting (because, as many have said, not everyone cares about politics or is well-informed enough to make a smart decision), I'm not totally AGAINST it either. I live in the U.S. and our voting turnout is abyssmal--the majority of people only vote in Presidential elections, and even then, like Rebecca said, the average turnout is only around 50% of the population. Only half of the population cares enough to choose whose policies they think will better the country and their way of life? That's sad. Turnouts for local elections are even worse--significantly lower than 50%--though I do not have a specific statistic on hand.

 

So, while mandatory voting while not be the way to go, as it may lead to uninformed choices, perhaps easier accessibility to ballots and voter registration would be more helpful? It's ridiculous that so few people (at least in my country) vote, and democracy kind of loses its luster with that in mind, since only half of us are making any active decision at all.

[flavoureddestruction]

I don't know if I really like the idea of compulsary voting... I don't think that people should have to vote if they didn't bother to read up on what the election is actually about. I think it's important to gauge the amount of people that didn't vote as well, and try to find a way to engage them more in politics.

...

I would prefer if everyone was eligable to vote as soon as they turned 18 though. Putting myself on the voters list wasn't hard, but it was a bit of a pain- trying to find the place they were doing it at, getting myself down there--- and all for something that took 5 minutes. -shrugs- I would have prefered if I got a note when I turned 18 or whatever, and could just go vote.

I suppose with compulsory voting in question, the thing to go hand in hand with it would have to be a plentiful supply of information to give people informed choices. I was really annoyed when the labour, liberal and greens parties threw flyers at me before voting on how to vote for them, but not what they were going to do.

 

I guess with compulsory voting at least they try to make it convenient- almost all meeting halls, church grounds and any place people can go turns into a place where you could vote. I could have walked down to the surf club and placed my vote there or walked up to the Anglican church to vote as well, all of them within 5 minutes walking distance. And I guess everyone sees receiving a letter about automatic enrolment differently, but as far as I know, this only came out last year so everyone prior had to go enrol the slightly more time consuming way.

 

 

I do like that people have mentioned just showing up and casting an empty ballot if you don't know enough about the candidates. I don't think I'd have as much of a problem with compulsory voting if people were well informed that they can cast blank votes, or even if there were an actual option on the ballot like "no vote" or "none of the above" so people aren't just voting randomly.

An empty vote I would have done if my parents weren't hovering over me, my brother told me to vote anyone but the "hippie Greens". So as far as I know, with compulsory voting, no one seems to take it seriously... It's rather sad :(

 

 

I agree with Natalie in that there is no way such a small percentage could accurately represent the views of the community that voted, but the way I look at it is, if you choose not to vote and the winner happens to be one you don't like, it's your fault for not going to vote. This was a problem in many Canadian provinces for the longest time. People turning up to vote were traditionally middle-class, white, middle age and seniors. The younger generation (30 and under) voter turnout was abysmal, and still isn't great. But by only a small demographic voting, we ended up with a bias.

I think this is a problem everywhere and not just Canada. I know in several months time, people will be complaining in the local paper than the council isn't doing this and how they should be doing that, and how this person just doesn't seem to understand or know what they're doing. It'll be amazing if anything if there are just pages of praise and how everyone agrees with what's going on.

 

Yay for living in a democratic society.

-____-

[Rebecca~]

I suppose with compulsory voting in question, the thing to go hand in hand with it would have to be a plentiful supply of information to give people informed choices. I was really annoyed when the labour, liberal and greens parties threw flyers at me before voting on how to vote for them, but not what they were going to do.

 

I guess with compulsory voting at least they try to make it convenient- almost all meeting halls, church grounds and any place people can go turns into a place where you could vote. I could have walked down to the surf club and placed my vote there or walked up to the Anglican church to vote as well, all of them within 5 minutes walking distance. And I guess everyone sees receiving a letter about automatic enrolment differently, but as far as I know, this only came out last year so everyone prior had to go enrol the slightly more time consuming way.

 

 

 

An empty vote I would have done if my parents weren't hovering over me, my brother told me to vote anyone but the "hippie Greens". So as far as I know, with compulsory voting, no one seems to take it seriously... It's rather sad :(

 

 

 

I think this is a problem everywhere and not just Canada. I know in several months time, people will be complaining in the local paper than the council isn't doing this and how they should be doing that, and how this person just doesn't seem to understand or know what they're doing. It'll be amazing if anything if there are just pages of praise and how everyone agrees with what's going on.

 

Yay for living in a democratic society.

-____-

Wait, wait--- your family was hovering over you while you voted? How is that allowed? o_O

 

Yeah, I find that trying to get information on the platforms of the people running is ridiculously difficult a lot of the time. I would like to see a poster for each party at each voting location that gave a quick run down of their platform. Have a maximum size, so each party has equal space allotments, but yeah. That way anyone who came in, but wasn't totally sure whom to vote for would have a way of maybe making up their minds, and it's easily accessable by everyone- good for people whom don't have internet.

[flavoureddestruction]

Wait, wait--- your family was hovering over you while you voted? How is that allowed? o_O

 

Yeah, I find that trying to get information on the platforms of the people running is ridiculously difficult a lot of the time. I would like to see a poster for each party at each voting location that gave a quick run down of their platform. Have a maximum size, so each party has equal space allotments, but yeah. That way anyone who came in, but wasn't totally sure whom to vote for would have a way of maybe making up their minds, and it's easily accessable by everyone- good for people whom don't have internet.

It was by far the most laid back voting place I could imagine.....

There were only cardboard barriers in between voters, voters were chatting as they were ticking things off, no one seemed to care...

 

Poster is good. I like that idea. Even if its just 5 words on what they're for. I think one of the parties was called "Against parking meters" or something XD

At least they made it somewhat obvious. :P

[Rebecca~]

It was by far the most laid back voting place I could imagine.....

There were only cardboard barriers in between voters, voters were chatting as they were ticking things off, no one seemed to care...

 

Poster is good. I like that idea. Even if its just 5 words on what they're for. I think one of the parties was called "Against parking meters" or something XD

At least they made it somewhat obvious. :P

Wow. D: I would hate that. Ours are pretty laidbackish, but the people that are there confirming your ID and stuff would definitely put a stop to that.

 

Hahhaha, yeah, hard to get mixed signals from that!

[flavoureddestruction]

Wow. D: I would hate that. Ours are pretty laidbackish, but the people that are there confirming your ID and stuff would definitely put a stop to that.

 

Hahhaha, yeah, hard to get mixed signals from that!

The people who checked ID and marked off names were on the other side of the meeting hall having a grand old chat with each other. :worried:

I guess that says something about how much people really care...

[Nataluna]

:laughingsmiley: i love how they were having a chat right at the booths, thats kinda awful :laughingsmiley:

 

 

its about interest and commitment, although people say they would vote etc, on the actual day alot of people would not be bothered to do it. its like asking people to make a dentist appointment, just because its in your best interests to do it, alot of people put it off.

 

i guess its whichever evil you consider the worst? representation of opinion vs denial of your right not to vote?

 

at least if you turn up you have the option to submit a blank vote. so i consider it the less of the 2 evils, since based off our preferential voting system Politicians in marginal seats will be decided by preferences, i always ignore the Party voting slips they try and give me.

 

or if you are really organised submit a postal vote thats blank :P

 

the AEC keeps data on the number of discarded votes but i can't remember any figures off my head. most of them are valid.

 

for Australia the presence of people promoting political parties often depends on your area, since its a volunteer basis, so it depends on your local political demographic and if they are organised to get material printed. i've done it once, its boring as anything xD usually they are only there in the mornings.

 

its often difficult to pin parties down on specific policy since they reply heavily on the government department (if they win) to work out the numbers and the details of policy. its why the Liberal Party since losing to Kevin Rudd and the Labor party haven't managed to explain theirs budgets and costs satisfactorily.

 

*cough* wandering off the point :P i'm probably a lone voice here, but i think out of the 2 options, compulsory attendance for voting represses your rights less, and produces a more effective mandate and representation of the democratic process. since you have the option to discard your vote, and frankly, people are as lazy as anything.

 

 

:offtopic: but i always thought the episode of Futurama "A Head in the Polls" to be a really funny (but in a strange way true) depiction of some aspects of politics. :P

[karmacow]

I love to vote, everything about it. I even love queueing to vote. Last time, there was hardly any wait at the stands and I was surprised at how disappointed I was, because it only took a few minutes :P

But I am aware, especially after reading this thread, that not everyone feels this way. And I do think it's silly to have mandatory voting. Voting is a right and a privilege and I'd even say duty, but it shouldn't be forced. I feel that it should be up to the individual whether or not they want to vote (due to lack of knowledge or diversity in those you can vote for). Regardless of everything, I think people should show up to put in their ballot, even if they choose to put in an empty or invalid one, just to say "hey, I was here and I think all the choices are bad".

[hrtbrk]

I support it 100%. I think if we (Canadians) were forced to vote, the current government would be different and we wouldn't have this giant [insert curse word of choice] in Parliament. It would be ground breaking, and a revolution.

 

Personally, I don't understand how it's such a burden do vote. Read a newspaper article. Watch the news for 10 minutes. View the party's website - they'll list their top priorities. See which one you identify with the most and go cast your ballot. It takes maybe 15 minutes out of your day and you don't have to think about it again for four years.

 

Similarly, I think they should go over this in school - and I don't mean 5th grade social studies where you learn what each party is.. you should learn about the current politicians, their current views and help set you up to vote.

 

If young voters are not voting, and continue this "trend" because they are too lazy (we all know that's the truth - if you don't think so, you are lying to yourself) to get involved, we're going to be in a lot of trouble.

 

People should be proud to vote and that they have a chance to support how they wish their country/province/state/town to be run.

[flavoureddestruction]

I love to vote, everything about it. I even love queueing to vote. Last time, there was hardly any wait at the stands and I was surprised at how disappointed I was, because it only took a few minutes :P

But I am aware, especially after reading this thread, that not everyone feels this way. And I do think it's silly to have mandatory voting. Voting is a right and a privilege and I'd even say duty, but it shouldn't be forced. I feel that it should be up to the individual whether or not they want to vote (due to lack of knowledge or diversity in those you can vote for). Regardless of everything, I think people should show up to put in their ballot, even if they choose to put in an empty or invalid one, just to say "hey, I was here and I think all the choices are bad".

Boy would I love to be as enthusiastic about voting as you :D

I find it interesting to find that most people either love it or hate it, I personally dislike it, but not hate it. Mandatory voting is one thing, but I think fining people heavy sums of money because they choose to exercise the right not to vote is a little much. :/

 

Personally, I don't understand how it's such a burden do vote. Read a newspaper article. Watch the news for 10 minutes. View the party's website - they'll list their top priorities. See which one you identify with the most and go cast your ballot. It takes maybe 15 minutes out of your day and you don't have to think about it again for four years.

 

Similarly, I think they should go over this in school - and I don't mean 5th grade social studies where you learn what each party is.. you should learn about the current politicians, their current views and help set you up to vote.

 

If young voters are not voting, and continue this "trend" because they are too lazy (we all know that's the truth - if you don't think so, you are lying to yourself) to get involved, we're going to be in a lot of trouble.

I find there is a big difference between voting for local and federal elections. Come federal elections, information is everywhere and you don't have to seek it out. Local elections however, most people seemed to only find out 2 weeks before hand when big "Vote 1" posters were hammered to power poles.

 

Teaching children in year 5 at primary school about current people running is a little... not quite the right way? Yes, teaching the importance is good. But by the time they're of voting age, candidates will be different. There needs to be an education thing for those of voting age. And there are ALWAYS new weird parties.... I thought it was a joke when someone said there was a Sex Party running a few years back... *big facepalm*

Seriously... who lets these things through? :eh:

[karmacow]

A Sex party? Ha! That's funny :D

Here, if a new party wants to run, they have to collect a certain amount of signatures to be able to run. I don't think there are any other requirements. It's probably the same in most places?

[Nataluna]

as long as the party is registered (and there isn't much to registering a political party or a candidate) then it can be anything.

 

the only political party technically banned is the KKK. otherwise any party can run for candidacy in Australia. you could register the Party for Chocolate Lovers or the Party for the Appreciation of Fish if you so liked. all you have to do is fill out a form when the election is called and submit it before the deadline. I believe you have to have a minimum of 10 candidates or something. either way you can run as an independent candidate.

 

and the reason why sometimes you get late notification about who is running etc is that on a federal level the Prime Minister can call an election anytime but they have a limit to the time they can serve (3 years max). The exception is the Senate which rotates on half the house going up for election every 3 years.

 

At State level you will notice a more gradual gearing up as usually those are fixed, although it varies from State to State, mine is not, but NSW i know is a fixed term and the date is planned in advance. some States including my own the calling of an election is the decision of the Government as long as they are within term.

 

When Whitlam faced a Senate controlled by the Liberals he called an election early. i think they have a minimum time from the time they call until the time the polls actually start (something like.. 2-3 weeks) but they can call it anytime. Howard used this by calling an election soon after the Tampa crisis, which won him a significant portion of the vote, in comparison opinion polls in the previous months had Labor's numbers improving, so political commentators considered that he had taken good advantage of the swing in opinion.

 

guys if you don't know anything about it, the Whitlam constitutional Crisis is a must-read for any Australian. you have no idea how fragile our government is. you do realise the Queen can sack OUR government? but that she doesn't have that authority in the UK?

 

in fact if we have a deadlocked government when no-one can form a government (this is why.. we currently have the mess with the Greens and the Independents controlling a balance of power, as they were needed to form a Government with Labor, normally the Liberals form a government in conjunction with the Nationals but held insufficient seats at the last federal Election) the Governor General can order a re-election. No-one would want to because frankly people hate voting. so they worked something out.

 

In Australia we don't learn much about the political system, its mostly an optional thing, I chose to learn about it at High School but its not considered a compulsory topic, and is only briefly touched on in our history lessons. Its not considered a popular notion to have politics intrude into education.. or religion in public education either. Its a bit sad.. really to know that people know more about the American legal system and American history than our own. ask 10 people who was the first Prime Minister of Australia and there will be some people who don't know. ask them who was the first President of the USA and they will all get that one -_-

 

I know State elections get less amazing press because frankly, my State politicians make the news every day, and come election time i'm sick of hearing the garbage that comes out of their mouth. but i'm SERIOUSLY looking forward to making my local member SWEAT this coming election. i dislike my current government, especially my current Premier, who has an abysmal handling on Budgets and his mishandling of public resources and projects is incredibly incompetent. like seriously. would you re-elect someone who spent Public money to re-panel his office in nice expensive hardwood instead of giving that money to Mental Health or to fix schools with infrastructure issues so bad the Principal sent a letter home to parents telling them the school wasn't safe?

 

i know it seems boring.. but you are electing the people who decide where your hospitals go, your laws, schools, where new developments go, who gets what sort of money. everyone has opinions on a variety of things and i think the most important thing is not to just say that opinion to yourself and your family, but to do something about it and use your vote to count. and that means being informed about what is going on,

 

like most people have an opinion on the boats of desperate people entering the country illegally. or whether the current government has failed Julian Assange in comparison to Michelle Corby in terms of providing assistance to an Australian Citizen overseas. or whether our billions of dollars in international aid are being well spent, or if we should have participated in the war in Afghanistan, or even if One Nation would have been a good political party. :shiftyeyes_anim:

 

okay my reply turned out to be more a discussion of "why you should care about politics" rather than "why do we have compulsory voting" but now i feel we need it more than ever. like most people have an opinion. but would prefer to shout it at the TV rather than get up, and find your nearest polling booth and vote..

 

or its your right to not vote. but at least it got you out of bed on a saturday?

 

i still find it hilarious the National Debate was pushed back as to not clash with Masterchef's finale. yay priorities xD

 

_{i'll probably come back tomorrow, read this and facepalm myself but i care, (alot) about having my say in the future of my country. and compared to other places in the world i feel very lucky to be born here, and have the rights available to me that i do. you might not believe in compulsory voting, but i believe it's still the most democratic way to ensure the population gives our government a mandate to govern our country by giving them the authority to act on policies we elected them for.}

 

a sidenote: wikipedia apparently has a section in a article on compulsory voting in Australia :laughingsmiley: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_electoral_system

[hrtbrk]

I find there is a big difference between voting for local and federal elections. Come federal elections, information is everywhere and you don't have to seek it out. Local elections however, most people seemed to only find out 2 weeks before hand when big "Vote 1" posters were hammered to power poles.

 

Teaching children in year 5 at primary school about current people running is a little... not quite the right way? Yes, teaching the importance is good. But by the time they're of voting age, candidates will be different. There needs to be an education thing for those of voting age.

 

That's not what I'm suggesting at all. I'm suggesting schools should teach more about politics aside from what you learned in the 5th grade... not teach 5th graders current politics. :weird: Meaning, give more education to students in high school as they SHOULD be voting in the very near future.

 

I don't think it matters if it's a federal or municipal election, either. The same information is still as readily available to make a [semi] educated vote.