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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[80kms]

compulsory voting sucks... in recent years i haven chosen not to participate and to pay the fine...

[GK]

Originally Posted by 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.

LOL!

GK

[RedHotGT]

If you've never enrolled - you will never receive a fine - as you aren't on the electoral roll.

I was not enrolled to vote for quite some time, as a consciencious objector to all parties involved.

I subscribe to the theory that choosing between a two-party government is like being stranded in a desert - tired and dehydrated... You're not really sure what's going on and you really just want to get it over with... You find two buckets full of an unconsumable liquid... One labelled Labor and one labelled Liberal.... You must choose one to drink... How do you choose???

I have since enrolled to vote, as I had some heated and animated discussion with my mother-in-law, who actually enrolled and filled out the forms for me, as I'm an opinionated type - and said the only way I can get my opinion across to polititians is to vote.

Which I now do. For whatever that's worth.

What frustrates me about the whole voting/government thing is this:
Votes are compulsory for everyone (who is enrolled to vote) and not everyone has the same grasp, understanding, or interest in politics. Having said that - everyone's vote is worth the same.

The government targets their 'marketing and spin' at the majority where they see the best opportunity to gain numbers... which is why things like the 'boat people' issue get traction, when in reality the number of people that the illegal boat people effects is VERY minor...

The perception by the ignorant is now every single person who speaks with an accent must be an illegal immigrant from a boat, and therefore the perception is that the amount of illegal immigrants is increasing out of control... And because in the lower demographics you'll get a higher number of ignorant fools, you buy a great deal of votes by appealing to them...

THEN - you get the Carbon Tax. The carbon tax may well have been the best thing ever for Australia, but the delivery of the concept has been stuffed since day one, because it was said very publicly "There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead" and now there will be Carbon Tax... means that the majority of people are feeling deceived/lied to/screwed...

I'm not saying I suppot the Carbon Tax, what I am saying is that even if the Labor government promised to give every single Australian a $5000 tax break to cope with the Carbon Tax, people would still vote against it because of the blatant backflip. And sticking to the implementation of the Carbon Tax WILL mean curtains for Labor.

The only reason that the Liberal Party hasn't been able to capatalise on this is because nobody really likes Tony Abbott either?? This is a major problem because the majority of people are casting their vote based on who they 'like' better, not for policy, promises, or changes for the better...

So if the election was held tomorrow - in a democracy were you MUST vote (which is a paradox in itself) Who could you choose?
Julia? Tony? You've gotta choose one.

Maybe if there was a chance the thread would stay open - it would be an interesting POLL question...

But until such time that an alternative to both current leaders presents itself... let me state something clear as crystal:

There will be no voting by me.

This is why

[nuthin' fancy]

Voting is not compulsory, just getting your name checked off the list is. I only lodge a formal vote about 30% of the time.

[Geez Louise]

People complain no matter who is in government.

It is our right to vote. In some countries they are still in the dark ages and woman are not allowed to vote...so yep! I would still vote even if it was not complusary because I have the freedom to do so

Cheers
Col

[nuthin' fancy]

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

In some countries they are still in the dark ages and woman are not allowed to vote.
Col

Wot's dark about that?