OT: Mandatory Voting

geoschmo · #1 June 28th, 2004, 07:56 PM

I consider myself fairly up to speed on political things, but I was suprised to learn today that some countries, Australia for one, have a mandatory voting.

I am curious what people think about this, especially those that live in countries where voting is mandatory. I think it's something I would support if the punishment wasn't too harsh. Perhaps a fine or something.

Raging Deadstar · #2 June 28th, 2004, 08:15 PM

Hmm, i'd be against this probably for two reasons.

Some of those who choose not to vote would most likely vote for a party bound to cause trouble. (BNP in britain is one example)

Secondly, if no party supports your views then why should you have to vote for one?

Of course this is IMHO

[ June 28, 2004, 19:16: Message edited by: Raging Deadstar ]

geoschmo · #3 June 28th, 2004, 08:19 PM

I wouldn't support making you vote for a particular person or party. You should have the option of "None of the above" or simply leaving those blank. But it's not to much to ask for everybody to show up or fill out and send in an absentee ballot. Unless you've got some serious health reason or something like that of course.

Fyron · #4 June 28th, 2004, 08:25 PM

A lot of South American nations have mandatory voting. Many people just turn in blank ballots...

An important right is the right to not participate. You know, freedom and all.

[ June 28, 2004, 19:26: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Raging Deadstar · #5 June 28th, 2004, 08:26 PM

Lol, there's always a way round things...

geoschmo · #6 June 28th, 2004, 08:35 PM

The problem is now you can't tell if someone is refusing to participate, or just doesn't give a flip. Low voter turnout can be interepreted in any way you want. If you're the incumbant you can say things are going great and it's a measure of the voters satisfaction with with how things are going. If you are a challanger you could say that things are so bad that the the voters are disilusioned with the whole process and don't think it matters. We can't really tell though.

If people are compelled to take some sort of action, even if it's only to turn in a blank ballot, at least then we have a better sense of what they are feeling.

[ June 28, 2004, 19:36: Message edited by: geoschmo ]