Would you vote if you didn't have to ?

[Geez Louise]

Ease up tiger!!

[XR227]

Originally Posted by ute83

Nope, i wouldn't vote if i didn't have to. I don't like the system where a candidate who gets the most votes may not be elected.

I agree totally, the system is a joke.
I wish i didn't enroll, as it is seems that the Party who does get in can drag
along other groups like the greens or independents.
Bloke at our work reckons you can get your name ticked off the list on election
day and just walk out with out actually voting.

[Jim Goose]

Voter apathy in this country has grown so much lately that it doesnt matter who you talk to they arent happy with ANY pollies and wouldnt trust any of them anymore.

Most people have come to realise that Group A and Group B come from the same bucket of morons, therefor their "vote" is a waste of time. Which is essentially true...

Lets go back 20 or 30yrs and see that in the "good" old days we used to protest quite a lot about issues that affected us. A lot of the time several groups would get together as one voice.

Fast forward to today and what do we do about issues? Not a great deal, just moan about it on the net mostly! Heaven help you if you become political and try to gain support for any issue (even if the issue is just), you just get shouted down by everyone else who tells you its a waste of time and effort, just go with the flow, dont rock the boat.

As an example we saw that doctors and nurses here in QLD were not being paid correctly (some NOT AT ALL), yet the average person truely didnt care? The issue was forgetton quickly and the government simply lied and said its all fixed. And as a warning to all those who didnt care, here is the fun bit!
That same payroll system was rolled out to defence (reserves), soon to roll out to ALL APS, all of Defence and apparently more QLD public servants.

Will everyone demand the system be fixed then? or just shrug and shut up and work for free while it takes months to sort out their pay?

[BigBlue]

Originally Posted by ute83

Nope, i wouldn't vote if i didn't have to. I don't like the system where a candidate who gets the most votes may not be elected.

The down side with "first past the post" results is one person might get more votes but more voters want some one else.

(in a simple analogy: 4 candidates and 5 voters.
Candidates 1, 2 , 3 and 4 get one vote each from voters A , B , C and D.
Voter E really doesn't like any candidate but votes for 1 in a donkey vote.
So candidate 1 wins since they have 2 votes , but more than half the voters 60% don't want them in power.)

To the original question YES I would vote if it was not compulsory.

Peter.

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by Paxton

I'd be there like normal - the minute the polling booth opens.

I was quite active politically in the Blue side when I was younger, and there is no reason why I wouldn't vote, especially with the jokers running the country at the moment.

My thoughts exactly.

However, it is, in my view, undemocratic that those with no interest in politics are forced to vote. The 'red side' are strongly in favour of compulsory voting, as they realise that they would have barely any hope of winning an election if voting were no longer compulsory.

[uranium_death]

Yes.
Voting should be seen as a privilege.
Some places are run by dictators where people are forced to worship those in power and beaten to a pulp if opposed...

I love that fact that voting means that I can also criticise those that are elected, and then correct that mistake next time without bloodspill...

[flappist]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

Yes.
Voting should be seen as a privilege.
Some places are run by dictators where people are forced to worship those in power and beaten to a pulp if opposed...

I love that fact that voting means that I can also criticise those that are elected, and then correct that mistake next time without bloodspill...

You mean there are countries were leaders of political parties that threaten the status quo are jailed on trumped up charges championed by the leader of another party?

Surely that could not happen in Australia could it........

Maybe you might like to check into who was behind the incarceration of Pauline Hanson and what colour budgie smugglers he wears.

[TheInterceptor]

When i turned 18 last year, i did not enroll. At that time i could not give 2/10ths of a damn who won because like what was said in a previous post, you get either a punch to the face or a kick in the nuts.

Will be enrolling for the next. Ive had a gutfull. One can only try and make a difference. Vote for the party that arent lunatics with logical policies and hope for the best.

So would i vote if i didnt have to? It is likley.

Now i wonder what insane fine i will get for not enrolling a year ago?

[cheap]

A golden rule in life - you get what you settle for

I feel our democracy (as good/bad as it is) is to important to devalue with non compulsory voting, slack attitudes and complacency. Once we go there it is all over and we'll get some minor party who we all hate running the joint. If you don't like the parties then vote with an informal protest but you did have an opportunity to guide your destiny.

Of course there is the option of making voting only available to tax paying land owners, after all the tax paying land owner ends up funding all the policies and has everything to lose.

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by loftie

If you've never enrolled - you will never receive a fine - as you aren't on the electoral roll.

I was not enrolled to vote for quite some time, as a consciencious objector to all parties involved.

I subscribe to the theory that choosing between a two-party government is like being stranded in a desert - tired and dehydrated... You're not really sure what's going on and you really just want to get it over with... You find two buckets full of an unconsumable liquid... One labelled Labor and one labelled Liberal.... You must choose one to drink... How do you choose???

I have since enrolled to vote, as I had some heated and animated discussion with my mother-in-law, who actually enrolled and filled out the forms for me, as I'm an opinionated type - and said the only way I can get my opinion across to polititians is to vote.

Which I now do. For whatever that's worth.

What frustrates me about the whole voting/government thing is this:
Votes are compulsory for everyone (who is enrolled to vote) and not everyone has the same grasp, understanding, or interest in politics. Having said that - everyone's vote is worth the same.

The government targets their 'marketing and spin' at the majority where they see the best opportunity to gain numbers... which is why things like the 'boat people' issue get traction, when in reality the number of people that the illegal boat people effects is VERY minor...

The perception by the ignorant is now every single person who speaks with an accent must be an illegal immigrant from a boat, and therefore the perception is that the amount of illegal immigrants is increasing out of control... And because in the lower demographics you'll get a higher number of ignorant fools, you buy a great deal of votes by appealing to them...

THEN - you get the Carbon Tax. The carbon tax may well have been the best thing ever for Australia, but the delivery of the concept has been stuffed since day one, because it was said very publicly "There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead" and now there will be Carbon Tax... means that the majority of people are feeling deceived/lied to/screwed...

I'm not saying I suppot the Carbon Tax, what I am saying is that even if the Labor government promised to give every single Australian a $5000 tax break to cope with the Carbon Tax, people would still vote against it because of the blatant backflip. And sticking to the implementation of the Carbon Tax WILL mean curtains for Labor.

The only reason that the Liberal Party hasn't been able to capatalise on this is because nobody really likes Tony Abbott either?? This is a major problem because the majority of people are casting their vote based on who they 'like' better, not for policy, promises, or changes for the better...

So if the election was held tomorrow - in a democracy were you MUST vote (which is a paradox in itself) Who could you choose?
Julia? Tony? You've gotta choose one.

Maybe if there was a chance the thread would stay open - it would be an interesting POLL question...

But until such time that an alternative to both current leaders presents itself... let me state something clear as crystal:

There will be no voting by me.

This is why

Excellent post, couldn't agree more.

These are dark dark days in Australian Politics that is for sure.

[BENT_8]

I wouldn't vote if i didnt have to, im over it.

Every week the media bombarded us with poll results telling us who is the preferred PM at the time and usually following a policy backflip or some other backroom stoush.
It has become a popularity contest.
Thats fine if the person you prefer is untouchable, but as the current government has shown, the person rammed down your throat in the pre election campaign may not be the person making the decisions on your behalf next week.
I have always been a Liberal voter, however, at the 07 federal election i decided a change was due and i liked the enthusiasm KRudd brought to the table, truth is if Costello had have been given the reigns before that election he would have had my support instead.
Unfortunately that didnt eventuate so i went with Rudd.
I was filthy when the person i voted for was given the flick without consulting me again.
Its a disgrace that i should be forced to vote for a leader of a party and then have them removed without getting a chance to vote on it.

If i had my way every person who rejects compulsory voting would band together and vote for some minority party and put an end to the Labour/Liberal circus.

my2c

[FPV8U]

I will always vote, its my small chance for having a say.

As a younger person i find it very hard to "Support" either of the current leaders, i don't find Leadership, Inspiration or Direction in either of them.

I know who i will be voting for come the next election, not because he deserves it, but this country needs a change for the current direction and their isn't a 3rd option that can threaten the top 2.

[ebxr8240]

I don't have to vote and I'm on the roll..
We don't want to be like U.S either where only the hard core
vote..Where they have basically one agenda...
Running the country comes a close second..
Btw I do vote when I can...Esp next election !!!

It's disoriented voting here for alternative parties has caused
issues ..For the same reasons in U.S...

[75van]

Originally Posted by BigBlue

The down side with "first past the post" results is one person might get more votes but more voters want some one else.

(in a simple analogy: 4 candidates and 5 voters.
Candidates 1, 2 , 3 and 4 get one vote each from voters A , B , C and D.
Voter E really doesn't like any candidate but votes for 1 in a donkey vote.
So candidate 1 wins since they have 2 votes , but more than half the voters 60% don't want them in power.)

To the original question YES I would vote if it was not compulsory.

Peter.

I'm glad that others realise that first past the post is even worse than some of the systems we have at the moment - this is a well put example of how it is unfair. The larger the numbers of voters the worse it gets.

However, the quota system that runs here in Tassie is grossly unfair - as it it based on when the votes are counted - everyone who votes in the morning on polling day could vote for one side, but a larger majority who vote in the afternoon could want someone totally different.

And I would also vote even if it wasn't compulsory - I feel that if you haven't voted you have no right to whinge about who is in power. If you have voted you have the right to complain to your local member who got in and pressure them into acting on your behalf.

[EgoFG]

Hey China Has no voting, and although some people get imprisoned without expecting it, I reckon the number of false or political imprisonments is about the same percentage as here.

Bring on Dictatorship ... is it really any worse ?
History says the rule of Solomon (a dictator) was the best ... but then maybe that of Hitler was the worst ...

... does it really matter ?

[Trevor 57]

Yes I would vote if I didn't have to, even though I live in a blue ribbon seat that has a member whose I side I don't support, and even if I think my vote isn't worth didlee squat in this seat I would still show up to vote.

We are lucky to live in one of the true democracies left.

[MRFGXR6]

Honestly my answer would be No. Simply because your vote isn’t worth a thing now days, it doesn’t have the final say in who is running the country only the party running it. The contending parties values are no longer as they were, take labour it was started by the workers for the workers, now its just a joke that’s full of socialists and bigots full of hidden agendas. Constantly they are fighting and wrangling amongst themselves yet they continuously do not deliver real positive outcomes for the people or their country, only that to line their own greedy pockets. Our politics is so full of backstabbing and petty tit for tat tactics it makes me ill to say the least. Perhaps It should be like the US where who you vote for runs the party, runs the country and not just back stab their way in like Emu lady. Maybe we should shoot them all and start over again.
But hey thats my two cents worth.

[Envi XR8]

I would still vote.

I also think voting should be compulsory in Australia at this stage due to the relatively small population we have.

When only 25 or 30% of Americans vote, that still means that there was nearly 100 million physical voters, which represents a decent cross section of the public.

In Australia, that figure would be close to 7 or 8 million, and I'm not sure that is healthy. Just my opinion though.

[chamb0]

Originally Posted by EgoFG

Hey China Has no voting, and although some people get imprisoned without expecting it, I reckon the number of false or political imprisonments is about the same percentage as here.

Bring on Dictatorship ... is it really any worse ?
History says the rule of Solomon (a dictator) was the best ... but then maybe that of Hitler was the worst ...

... does it really matter ?

I'm not really sure if you're serious. Yes, it does matter, as a general rule of thumb democratic governments tend to cannon less of their citizens in the streets. For example the Syrian regime sends in it's attack choppers to blow apart demonstrations - our complaints about our government's shortcomings does tend to pale into insignificance against that kind of thing.

As a guess, I would think political imprisonment in Australia is pretty close to 0. China certainly does have political prisoners and a well documented history of human rights abuses.

On topic, I do support compulsory voting. We've got it pretty easy compared to some other countries who include mandatory military conscription as part of their civic duties.

[ILLaViTaR]

Nope. My reason is because there isn't one good party.

I have the choice between a religious nutbag who will siphon the majority for the sake of the private sector sending us back 200 years and morons with deceptive righteous concepts implementing taxes that as always get passed down to the consumer. Greens and labour talk more **** than liberal nowadays.

So maybe the family party? No they want Christian oppression everywhere.
OR the National party? bunch of ill educated self serving old timers who wish to retain power they were lucky to initially receive and will only please a minority.

So remind me again why I enrolled? All these parties are pretty old fashioned and behind the times, Gillard being the first not to swear on the bible would be a good example of the nonsense I'm talking about, the commotion was absurd. In this day and age it's pathetic.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by loftie

If you've never enrolled - you will never receive a fine - as you aren't on the electoral roll.

I'm not enrolled and I don't plan to be, so far its been 2 nearly 3 years and I haven't got a fine.

Either has a workmate of mine who isn't enrolled either.

I've got no real interest in the people who run the country or are in the game, as I hate them all. Its just a game to get in, then stay in as long as possible for the benefits.

[351buzz]

I put a 1 in the CHIMP box, (which I had to make), cause quite frankly chimps could do a better job of running the country.
better than the RANGAtang running the joint now anyway.

[MITCHAY]

Well you're not forced to vote but to get marked off. Funnily enough, even when I was certain I would go donkey I thought that this could be the difference between what I really don't want or what I really want or what is favorable and/or etc.

I honestly don't see what is achieved by forcing people to attend the polls and you would be wrong to believe people who don't want to vote still vote blindly and lucky dip it instead of a donkey.

People need to take the time to understand policy and what it means and if it conforms to what you believe benefits you and the greater good of the nation. Unfortunately not many people don't do this and of course you need to have trust that the government will deliver on what they say.

Also it would be really good if we could vote online. It's 2012 and it is about time we have this option. We can lodge our tax return online but not vote figure that one.

[My32Doors]

Compulsory voting forces people who have no interest in or understanding of politics to vote - not good. I shudder when I think of some of the votes I cast when I was 18 and had absolutely no idea about anything.

. This is why we are where we are.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I'm not enrolled and I don't plan to be, so far its been 2 nearly 3 years and I haven't got a fine.

Either has a workmate of mine who isn't enrolled either.

I've got no real interest in the people who run the country or are in the game, as I hate them all. Its just a game to get in, then stay in as long as possible for the benefits.

Then you have absolutely no right to speak publicly about all things political, you choose to not register to vote so you you choose to not have an opinion - good night!!!!!!

[Trevor 57]

It still amazes me that some people still think that when they vote they are voting for the Leader of a Party.

You should be listening to your local applicants for the job of joining the political arena, listening to what they can do for you and make you decision to vote for the person who best suits your needs.

There is nothing about 'parties' in our constitution.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

Then you have absolutely no right to speak publicly about all things political, you choose to not register to vote so you you choose to not have an opinion - good night!!!!!!

I have an opinion, and I'll express it. I just don't think putting a number in a box is going to do something about it.

If I want to change something, I'll do it in my own way.

[mik]

i`m quiet happy to vote, i like to think my vote is doing something, even if the truth is somewhat different.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I have an opinion, and I'll express it. I just don't think putting a number in a box is going to do something about it.

If I want to change something, I'll do it in my own way.

what? pull out a gun and shoot someone, that is what many non-democratic countries do.

[pottery beige]

honk.. honk.. the current ranga clown is proof that your vote and opinions are worthless......