Starting to look at compulsory voting in a different light

[canetoad]

I have been an unvocal, un-activist opponent of compulsory voting for most of my adult life but I'm now starting to think that maybe we have got the right idea here in Oz.

I'm reading with emotions ranging from disgust to sadness, about the brouhaha accompanying the US midterms. Voter suppression! It is a huge issue and one that we do not need to deal with, as by law everyone must show up at a polling place and have their name marked off. There is absolutely no political mileage in trying to intimidate anyone into not turning up to vote.

Electoral rules are consistent accross all states. We vote with a humble paper slip and cheap pencil, yet I cannot recall any cases of election fraud. Maybe simple is best.

[gemini_liberal]

1. I dunno...

I am, in spirit, against compulsory voting because it goes against the very nature of democracy and rights. It should be noted that compulsory voting does not stop voter suppression. John Coward is a strong advocate of limiting voting rights (closing roll as of the election writ, no votes for convicted felons etc.) yet is pro-compulsory voting. It should also be noted that Australia's compuslory voting is the exception to the rule, not the other way round. The US is not the only democracy to have voluntary voting - nearly all democracies do and most of them seem to have very minor problems (problems no worse than seen here.)

Another myth is that turnout in Australia prior to compulsory voting was minute and would be so again afterwards. This is, in fact, completely wrong. The worst % turnout prior to compulsory voting was in the 50s - more than half.

My problem with compulsory voting is, besides its lack of democratic freedom, it discourages political change. People who couldn't care less about who wins an election (who in other countries would abstain from voting) vote for the incumbent, because they are happy with the way things are. Referenda have a history of failing due to this as well.

This is not always a bad thing though. Imagine the result of the narrowly defeated anti-communist party referendum, if those who couldn't give a crap didn't give their token 'no' vote. However, in my opinion, that is a small price to pay.

My major concern is the elderly, who are increasing in numbers, who vote the most enthusiastically. Majority of them happen to be quite conservative. Voluntary voting may make John Coward PM for life with a permanent majority in the Senate. Then again, by having voluntary voting, the Libs might've had to actually find an inspiring leader to take Keating down in '96.

Although it goes against my personal beliefs, compulsory voting should probably stay - as the system has been built around it. Maybe though, referenda shouldn't be compulsory - that way only people who care about the issue will vote, so there won't be a huge stream of token No votes.

But this is just one view of a daft South Australian - never mind us, we have unique views on politics and democracy....

[Matilda]

2. Howard has said he's thinking about abolishing compulsory voting,

and that's enough to be in favour of retaining it. I'm sure his reason is, as you said, because
older, and more "upper class" voters are likely to participate. I don't know whether it can be
changed just by parliament, or whether it would take a referendum, but if Howard's in favour of it,
it has to be bad.

I probably wouldn't have worried too much either way, until I've seen how non-compulsory voting
can be manipulated, as it has been in the US. Having to continually re-register, changing the rules
about registration, etc., can easily frustrate people who aren't aware of what's going on.

[canetoad]

4. You make some good points

and up until recently I would have agreed with most of them. I'd be interested to see some hard stats on which age group votes for which party though.

Given that you said older people vote conservatively, do you mean for the Liberal party? I can't find any data to support this. From personal experience (I'm 52 and move in a wide circle of people) I would say that people around my age tend to be more astute in seperating a quick monetary handout from the sustainable good of the country, ergo most people I know are Labor or Greens voters.

In a way you are correct though - Latham was too much of a maverick to gain the trust of wise left wing voters. Slow political change is not necessarily a bad thing. One thing is certain, the political pendulum will swing. Eternally.

[Matilda]

6. I really don't have any figures for my assumptions.

I also number more Labor and Green voters among my friends. But I also have some friends who've
become more conservative as they've got older, have a mortgage, and start thinking about their
retirement years. They've lost any idealism they ever had, and think only in financial terms.
It's sad to see.

[velvet]

3. I like it

I think compulsory voting helps to protect the right to vote.

There is always room for improvement, but I think our system has a lot going for it. Compulsory voting, a uniform national system, paper ballots, voting on Saturdays - I hope we never lose these.

[Matilda]

5. I'm generally in favour of compulsory voting.

I think even if people only think about politics for a few moments while they're in the polling
booth, at least they're thinking and doing something.

[Djinn]

7. We don't have compulsory voting

we have compulsory showing up on voting day. No-one forces anyone to vote if they do not wish to. I think it's a hard call to claim popping down to your local primary school once every few years is such an impost that it infringes on anyones rights.

It's compulsory to register your car, to wear a seatbelt, to not drive when drunk and a whole jost of other things that we decide are for the public good. Just like voting.

If someone is so unengaged that don't even want to number a box once every few years then they can turn up, get their name ticked off and then throw their ballot away.

[canetoad]

8. Yes, as I clarified a couple of lines into the post

we are required to attend a polling place.

[Canadian_moderate]

9. What happens if you don't show?

Do the election police track you down and force you to vote? I'm just curious.

I voted today in the Toronto (Canada) municipal election. I voted for a mayor and city councillor for my ward, but I didn't have a clue about the school trustees on the ballot. I probably should have abstained from that one, but I voted for the only name I recognized.

There are a lot of people who are just not politically minded and most couldn't care less about who governs. Why force them to vote? I'd rather just have voters who are informed about the issues. Anyone one else is just a wasted ballot in my opinion.

[gemini_liberal]

10. They check the roll after the election

and if it turns out you haven't had your name checked, they will get you to explain why you didn't vote, and if your explaination is unsatisfactory, you get fined...in theory anyway...reality is a little different...