Politics How do you feel about "Compulsory Voting"?

[FISTO]

There are a lot of people I know that like myself have absolutely no interest in politics. People who would rather spend what time they have in a manner which is important to them. I enjoy the freedom living in Australia allows me but why should anyone be fined for not standing around potentially for hours (I have waited up to 2 hours before) on a weekend to do something they have no interest in, knowledge of or flat out just don't want to do?

Before anyone says something like it only takes an hour or so out of your day every couple of years so get over it, here is my point -
I have no interest, I'm not up on the issues and any vote that I do make is uninformed and unfair to the parties who I don't vote for or the voters who care that I vote against. Most people I know that do vote (ie don't just show up to get their name ticked off like I do) tend to only do so because they either hate one of the candidates so vote against them or vote because of one specific policy they think might affect them.

I was going to make a thread about why I think compulsory voting is stupid and started to do some research about why it exists. To back up my main argument that it is all about the $$$ I was going to quote figures of revenue raised for state governments for the last cycle of state and federal elections and base my argument on the fact that it is a law purely designed to raise revenue with no clear alternative reason for its existence.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to find the figures (shouldn't the government be informing tax payers how much money it makes from fines?) but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. What I did stumble upon however from the Australian Electoral Commission's website was their own apparent arguments for and against compulsory voting. They don't acknowledge my suspicion at all...

Listed below are the reasons quoted on their website dated May 2011, source - https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/Compulsory_Voting.htm

Arguments used in favour of compulsory voting

• Voting is a civic duty comparable to other duties citizens perform e.g. taxation, compulsory education, jury duty
• Teaches the benefits of political participation
• Parliament reflects more accurately the "will of the electorate"
• Governments must consider the total electorate in policy formulation and management
• Candidates can concentrate their campaigning energies on issues rather than encouraging voters to attend the poll
• The voter isn't actually compelled to vote for anyone because voting is by secret ballot.

Arguments used against compulsory voting:

• It is undemocratic to force people to vote – an infringement of liberty
• The ill informed and those with little interest in politics are forced to the polls
• It may increase the number of "donkey votes"
• It may increase the number of informal votes
• It increases the number of safe, single-member electorates – political parties then concentrate on the more marginal electorates
• Resources must be allocated to determine whether those who failed to vote have "valid and sufficient" reasons.

So my feeling is when comparing the Government's own pro's and con's is that the arguments against by far and away outweigh those for. The glaring omission for me though and what I believe to be the real reason is that its all about raising $$ and I'm sure there are people here who have their own alternative opinions either way.

I guess I'm curious because most people that I interact with in my day to day life pretty much have a similar outlook to me and don't like being forced to vote. I'd like to open it up to you guys to get a broader and more diverse opinion and hopefully a better understanding of the populations feelings towards the subject.

 

[Fire]

Idealistically its questionable.

Realistically its the only way to maintain political stability heading into a future of extreme political polarisation.

We do not want to end up like the US, where fringe groups like the NRA and religious nutters have disproportionate influence because they vote in blocs. Especially as politics becomes ever more devisive as we are seeing now. When voting is an option and political discourse becomes more and more polarising, then the centre become disenfranchised and don't vote because both sides look like loons. Which means political instability and revolution is inevitable as the government lurches from one ideological extreme to another.

Australia is largely secure from this because the centre must vote. Which means if one side gets too nutty (hello LNP!) Then they will get crished. We are largely immune from the effects of polarisation we are seeing rise accross the world.

People like to complain that Australian politics are unstable because we've had a lot of leadership change of late. This is nonsense because in a parliamentary system the PM is largely a figuregead. Having lived in both Australia and the US, I can say that the Australian political culture and environment are far, far superior. And I credit this to compulsory voting, and the preference system.

 

[Gough]

I'm only half joking when I say that to enable your franchise you should have to pass a basic civics test.

 

[its free real estate]

Brazil has compulsory voting

 

[Taylor]

You aren't required to vote. You are required to report to the polling station.

I would recommend to those not interested in the process to use the early voting, say you'll be working that day or caring for a family member, the lines are tiny and your name is checked off the register and you're obligation is met.

That's in lieu of a process where you opt out of your right to vote.

Personally I think our politics under non-compulsory voting would become even more reactionary, short term and sensationalised.

The other swing is to only give a vote to those with most to lose, being land owners and those who have served the nation in some form - but that is very old school and dangerous for those who already feel like they don't have a voice in the poor.

 

[mr bagcroft]

clap clap clap..
Its garbage its compulsory.
I couldnt give a single **** about politics, I just turn up to not get fined.
People I have added to the ballot paper over the years, and have "voted" for...

James Hetfield.
Dave Grohl.
Ghandi.
Fat kid from "Hey Dad"
Pinocchio
Snow White.
My boss at work.
My missus.
My Brother.
My penis.
The Hamburgler
Pink Floyd.

 

[CheapCharlie]

clap clap clap..
Its garbage its compulsory.
I couldnt give a single **** about politics, I just turn up to not get fined.
People I have added to the ballot paper over the years, and have "voted" for...

James Hetfield.
Dave Grohl.
Ghandi.
Fat kid from "Hey Dad"
Pinocchio
Snow White.
My boss at work.
My missus.
My Brother.
My penis.
The Hamburgler
Pink Floyd.

Guy was a complete dick

 

[ShanDog]

I'm only half joking when I say that to enable your franchise you should have to pass a basic civics test.

I see you civics test, and raise you a non-compulsory voting system.

 

[faible]

Just because people choose to opt out of putting any minute element of effort in to their vote, doesn't mean that non-compulsory voting is an improvement.

If the comparison is the US style system, I'll take ours.

It's a flawed system whichever way you go unfortunately.

 

[skilts]

For the past thirty years, I have chosen not to participate, at all.

 

[nicky]

For the past thirty years, I have chosen not to participate, at all.

How do you do this?

 

[kickazz]

If you don't like it go to China.

 

[kickazz]

And yeah go early, like today or tonight. They don't even ask for an excuse any more.

Then fold up your paper and pop it in.

 

[its free real estate]

How do you do this?

You ask the AEC to take you off the electoral roll. You can still vote but they won’t fine you if you don’t.

 

[nicky]

You ask the AEC to take you off the electoral roll. You can still vote but they won’t fine you if you don’t.

Why haven't i always done this? Opt in voting.

 

[kickazz]

• It is undemocratic to force people to vote – an infringement of liberty

It may be an infringment of liberty but I don't know why people keep saying it's undemocratic, it's actually very democratic.

 

[its free real estate]

Why haven't i always done this? Opt in voting.

You have to show reason, but if you’re female there shouldn’t be a problem

https://aec.gov.au/enrolling_to_vote/special_category/silent_electors.htm

 

[nicky]

You have to show reason, but if you’re female there shouldn’t be a problem

https://aec.gov.au/enrolling_to_vote/special_category/silent_electors.htm

Lol @because you're a woman.... wtf does that mean?

 

[Run n Spread]

You aren't required to vote. You are required to report to the polling station.

I think technically you are required to vote. But since the vote is anonymous it is impossible to fine those who do a donkey vote.

I'd lean towards non compulsory voting. As with compulsory voting someone who is not interested is likely just to rock up not to get fined make a split second decision based on impulse which becomes as valuable a vote as someone who has a considered opinion or the actual candidate themselves.

 

[Run n Spread]

You ask the AEC to take you off the electoral roll. You can still vote but they won’t fine you if you don’t.

How can you vote if you're not on the roll?

 

[Ron The Bear]

Being able to vote is a privilege. Saddam ruled for 16 years before an election was held, and even then he officially received 100% of the vote.

You'd appreciate it more if you were powerless.

 

[Maggie5]

Lol @because you're a woman.... wtf does that mean?

That link is only if you don't want your address on the roll. (This was one of the issues with the gay marriage plebiscite).

I thought the only way to avoid having your name (not register) on elector roll is not to put your name on the roll in the first place.

I know some people just go and have their names crossed of and put empty papers in box. Why bother?

I don't find it a big deal, I vote early and don't mind having a vote, my problem is that I live in a safe seat and would need thousands of votes to change that.

 

[RupieDupie]

It would just be easier asking a certain US media mogul who he wants in power and be done with it.

The rest is just a waste of time and money for zero reward under our sham Australian democracy.

 

[kickazz]

Being able to vote is a privilege. Saddam ruled for 16 years before an election was held, and even then he officially received 100% of the vote.

You'd appreciate it more if you were powerless.

It is. Compared to every human who lives or had ever lived, we are truly privileged in that sense.

 

[its free real estate]

Lol @because you're a woman.... wtf does that mean?

Because it’s generally used by women escaping abusive partners. The AEC is far less likely to question you if you’re a woman.