To use a popular teenage phrase: I was like, WHOA!
And then, I wondered what happens if someone does not vote in Australia. A quick Google search brought up this helpful FAQ page from the Australian Electoral Commission. Apparently, they get fined in Australia if they don't vote:
What happens if I do not vote?
Initially the Australian Electoral Commission will write to all apparent non-voters requesting that they either provide a reason for their failure to vote or pay a $20 penalty.
If, within 21 days, the apparent non-voter fails to reply, cannot provide a valid and sufficient reason or declines to pay the penalty, then prosecution proceedings may be instigated. If the matter is dealt with in court and the person is found guilty, he or she may be fined up to $50 plus court costs.
Wow! They should make voting compulsory in all democratic countries. I don't know what effect it would have ultimately, but it will definitely make those shady politicians work harder... at least on the campaign trail, in order to win over a larger number of more diverse citizens.
The voter turn-out right now is pathetic in most elections - both in the US and in India. (I am not familiar with the voter turn-out in other countries.) Even in the US Presidential elections, which garner great interest world-wide, the voter turn-out is remarkably poor - just around 50%. Check this link which lists the voter turn-out in every Federal election since 1960. The bold numbers occuring every 4 years correspond to the Presidential elections and they consistenly show around 50% voter turn-out!
Yes, that 50% is the total voter turn out - includes people who voted for both/all the contesting candidates and people whose votes were invalid for one reason or the other. What this means is that every President Of The United States is actually sent to the office by a small minority of people, compared to the total population of the country! So, a presidential candidate does not need to win over the majority of the citizens - he just has to concentrate on winning over just enough of the minority to beat his/her rival candidates! Is it any surprise that most Presidents don't really seem to work for the people? Is it any wonder that the American Democracy no longer seems to be of the people, for the people, by the people?
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As an Australian, I must say that I love compulsory voting! I believe that voting is one's duty as a citizen, and it forces political parties consider the needs and interests of ALL citixens. Our preferential voting system also means that there is a real alternative to the two major parties, as independents and minor parties ofetn hold the balance of power.
ReplyDeleteCompared to the US (where average voter turn out is under 50%) the average turn-out here is 96%.
That, along with our socialised health and education, makes this country great.
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ReplyDeleteAs a citizen of the US, I personally prefer having voting be optional. This is because I generally don't trust myself to make the right decision all the the time. When campaigning time comes around, a lot of the political ads and phone calls I get to promote a candidate and bash the competition just come across as insulting. When it's time to vote, I don't feel like I can make a good informed decision. It will be either picking someone at random or just doing what my parents say. And if I do have an idea of what each candidate wants, how much of it can I believe is true?
ReplyDeleteI will vote if I feel strongly about someone (like when Barack Obama was running), but otherwise it's just not a good idea. Does "Undecided" count as a valid reason for not voting in Australia?
I get it already, America sucks.
(I originally deleted this comment because I didn't want my username to show. But it still shows anyway even after deleting, so I might as well say what I had to say.)