Re: Should voting be made compulsory?
JBR - as Bruce and other Aussies have explained lucidly, there is no such thing as "
compulsory voting".
Nobody can
compel anyone to vote.
But here, people are required to turn up at a polling both and have their name checked off the Electoral Roll.
They are then given the wherewithal to cast a vote.
If they choose to write "
Mickey Mouse" on the form - or chew it up for lunch - that is their call.
SO, the question might best be
"
Should attending a Polling Booth on Election Day be compulsory ?"
Most Aussies say 'yes' because we have been led to believe that it is a duty - like jury service or paying tax.
It aims to reflect the wishes of the greatest number of people.
However, there are three levels of government - Federal, State and Local.
People
are fined for not turning up for the first two.
In Queensland at least, they are rarely fined by Local Governments (Councils).
At my first meeting as a Shire Councillor many years ago,
I was astounded that the very first item on the agenda at the first post-election meeting, was whether non-voters would be prosecuted.
The majority of councillors voted against it.
The reason given was that it would not be cost-effective.
It would cost more to enforce and collect than would be raised in fines.
The real reason though - was that the new councillors feared a backlash at the NEXT election.
"
Not gonna vote for that bastard, he fined me last time".