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Breaking news, lmfao!

by joseph7384
12 replies
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Sorry about the title but it is breaking news to me. I never knew this but I have just been informed that in Australia voting is mandatory and if you don't have a legitimate excuse for not casting your vote, a hefty fine will be imposed.

The best part is that the fine is only $20.00. I would be glad to pay that fee to satisfy my ego if I truly didn't want to vote for any of the candidates.
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Forcing disinterested persons to vote sounds like a really good way to have a whole bunch of clueless people voting on issues and for candidates they know little to nothing about.

    I've always thought incentivizing the vote as some do here was a bad idea for the same reason.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Forcing disinterested persons to vote sounds like a really good way to have a whole bunch of clueless people voting on issues and for candidates they know little to nothing about.

      I've always thought incentivizing the vote as some do here was a bad idea for the same reason.
      Yeah, I didn't qualify for the free cell phone, so I didn't vote! That'll show them...

      (JK - I voted )
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      • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
        Yep, it sucks, and finding a pooling booth in AU sucks some more, (you have to find it online, and the papers don't give addresses)!


        Had a great time driving about on Saturday, trying to find one, which l thankfully did, an hour before curfew!


        But when you show up and get the info, concerning the different parties at the main gate, they are always very apologetic to voters, since we have to do it.

        Not sure about the $20 fine, last l heard it was $50???


        And some parties are very clever in how they slip you there info,.


        But anyway it was worth the hassle, and we won't have to do it again for another 3 years, so, it wasn't too bad!


        Shane
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        • Profile picture of the author seasoned
          Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

          Yep, it sucks, and finding a pooling booth in AU sucks some more, (you have to find it online, and the papers don't give addresses)!


          Had a great time driving about on Saturday, trying to find one, which l thankfully did, an hour before curfew!


          But when you show up and get the info, concerning the different parties at the main gate, they are always very apologetic to voters, since we have to do it.

          Not sure about the $20 fine, last l heard it was $50???


          And some parties are very clever in how they slip you there info,.


          But anyway it was worth the hassle, and we won't have to do it again for another 3 years, so, it wasn't too bad!


          Shane
          During hurricne sandy, in the US, many people were misdirected and otherwise prevented from voting.

          Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
          Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

          Had a great time driving about on Saturday, trying to find one, which l thankfully did, an hour before curfew!
          Curfew? In Melbourne?

          Or is this the wife's curfew on you?

          Sounds like a war zone over there!
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          • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
            Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

            Curfew? In Melbourne?

            Or is this the wife's curfew on you?

            Sounds like a war zone over there!

            Well curfew in meaning voting has ceased, and the fines start!


            Still working on the wife part!!! :rolleyes:


            War zone? No, more like a 3 month comedy skit with an abrupt ending! Enough said!


            Some of the other parties on the electrol role were pretty funny though.

            We had the "Climate Tax Skeptics party" and the "Automotive Enthusiasts Party" and "The Healthy Living Party" to name a few. Most of these got in.

            I also saw the WikiLeaks Party as well.


            Sorry can't say who l voted for, as it is probably tippy-tieing into politics too much, l will only say l am glad it's over!


            Shane
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
    Originally Posted by joseph7384 View Post

    The best part is that the fine is only $20.00. I would be glad to pay that fee to satisfy my ego if I truly didn't want to vote for any of the candidates.
    The penalty is $20 (AUD) but you can get prosecuted for non payment and face a higher fine.

    Proponents of the system argue that compulsory voting helps to ensure that nobody can be intimidated or prevented from voting against their will. And voters have the option of casting a blank vote or even a spoilt one. In some territories, I believe, there's also the option of voting for "none of the above".

    Personally, I tend to the view that freedom to speak encompasses the freedom not to speak, but then in the UK we have a proud tradition of political apathy.


    Frank
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

      And voters have the option of casting a blank vote or even a spoilt one. In some territories, I believe, there's also the option of voting for "none of the above".
      That casts a new light on it, but I still don't think it's right to force people to vote. They should have the freedom not to vote if they so choose.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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        I agree with Dennis.

        But I believe it's not quite true that voting, per se, is mandatory. I think it's "attending the polling station (or arranging a proxy vote, if unwell/unable etc.) and completing a voting form" that's the obligation. The very important difference is that there's no compulsion to choose a candidate and vote for him/her.

        It's one way of increasing voter turnout. I think that the right to abstain ought to go along with the right to vote, but it can be argued that, in effect, it does in the Australian system?
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

      The penalty is $20 (AUD) but you can get prosecuted for non payment and face a higher fine.

      Proponents of the system argue that compulsory voting helps to ensure that nobody can be intimidated or prevented from voting against their will. And voters have the option of casting a blank vote or even a spoilt one. In some territories, I believe, there's also the option of voting for "none of the above".
      In the US, all registered names can vote, even if dead or fictional, and it against the law to ID them!!!!!

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author whland
    Originally Posted by joseph7384 View Post

    The best part is that the fine is only $20.00. I would be glad to pay that fee to satisfy my ego if I truly didn't want to vote for any of the candidates.
    I don't vote either. So if that fine was imposed here. I'd just pay it and not vote either.

    Chad
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