Mandatory Voting In Australia... Could It Work In The US??

[arwalden]

The Australian method of compulsory voting (vote or be fined) seems to work fine for them... if we did it here, who would benefit? Democrats or Republicans?

-- Allen

[Worst Username Ever]

1. Dems. By far. As long as they are not the ones to introduce

the legislation. Whoever MAKES people do something generally comes out as a nazi.

There are so many liberals in the country, far more than repugs. They just don't vote or don't think they make a difference.

[babylonsister]

2. It works but a lot of Aussies

aren't happy about it.

[rooboy]

6. Since when were a lot of Aussies not happy about it?

If you don't want your vote to count, you just deliberately spoil your ballot. Everyone knows that.

[babylonsister]

12. I know some Aussies

and have heard this opinion. And have also heard about spoiling their ballots, so what's the point of it being mandatory?

[foreigncorrespondent]

14. Well saying you...

...know _some_ Aussies, doesn't actually account for how the entire country feels. And the point of mandatory voting is simple, higher voter turn out!

[babylonsister]

15. I never presumed to know how the entire

country feels about voting, nor did I imply that.

[foreigncorrespondent]

20. No, but you did imply...

...that _most_ Australians aren't happy with mandatory voting.

Let me let you in on a little secret, most Aussies view voting rights as a privilege and take voting very seriously!

I have just gotten back from voting and there are four places in my local area were people can go to vote. All are fairly close to me, and all are crowded, so that should tell you something.

[wildeyed]

3. dems

It would increase turnout and that usually helps dems.

My sis lives in Australia. Her husband missed voting once b/c he was on a business trip. something like a $200 fine. He didn't miss again.

[rooboy]

4. It's not about Democrats or Republicans benefitting...

it prevents fraud and intimidation. There is a clear indication of exactly what needs to be done in a compulsory election because the numbers are already known. Additionally, nobody bothers trying to convince you not to vote - in fact it's a felony to encourage someone not to vote.

Excuse me whilst I go and vote...

[Eric J in MN]

5. I'm for it.

Then the govt. would have to let people vote instead of tossing out voter registrations because someone forgot to check a box.

[rooboy]

7. No, there is not an option for 'none of the above'...

it's a preferential voting system. If you want to screw up your ballot, then fine, just scribble all over the paper. But the idea of a democracy is that the people are the government - participation in the democratic process, therefore, is not an option.

[Book Lover]

8. I don't think people would stand for it

on both sides of the aisle. It immediately raises hackles on my neck - I don't like being told what to do. I'm not saying I think it's a good or bad idea, but I don't think it'd fly, politically.

[-democratic-lady-]

9. Forcing people to vote isn't the solution

Our country was founded on freedoms and one of those is the right to vote. We are free to vote for who we feel can best represent our interests. We are also free to choose whether we want to vote at all.

[rooboy]

18. Why isn't it the solution? You force people to obey other laws...

why not force people to respect the democratic principle of government BY THE PEOPLE? I thank God that we don't have political parties trying to prevent voting in my country by using bribes, intimidation and fraud.

Polling booths which run out of ballots; police road blocks on black neighbourhoods in Florida; phone banks which call up citizens and tell them that the election has been postponed. And you THINK you're free?

Right now my country is electing its next government. And I can guarantee you there won't be ONE story about voter fraud or dirty tricks at the ballot box.

[calico1]

10. My first thought was no.

But jury duty is mandatory if you are picked and you get fined if you blow it off. I don't really like jury duty and the last time I got called I sat there the whole day only to be dismissed at the end of the day. But I didn't think of blowing it off because I knew I'd be fined if I did. I think a lot of people don't vote out of laziness. And there is no law that says you have to so that makes it easier for people to just skip it. Also as someone else mentioned, if it is cumpulsory then I think it would make it less likely for elections to be stolen.

[Eric J in MN]

11. Yes. If jury duty is mandatory, why shouldn't a more

central aspect of democratic participation by mandatory?

[camero]

13. I don't think it would

Registrations would just go down. A better idea would be to make election days a national holiday, giving people the day off to vote.

An increase in turnout always favors Democrats.

[w4rma]

16. Imho, no. (nt)

[Ladyhawk]

17. The Aussies I know like it that way.

They say it makes them pay attention.

[rooboy]

19. I'd certainly agree with that...

I know a lot of ignorant Aussies, but I can't recall meeting one without an opinion on politics.