Should one be fined for not voting?

[moryc]

I think in a "free" country (I am starting to think more and more that there is no such thing) you should have a choice as what you want to do and do not want to do. I grew up in communism before moving to a "free" western country and I remember that back then voting was mandatory under the penalty of a jail sentence. Getting fined for not voting falls somewhat into that category, although the punishment is not as harsh, however it is a punishment for something that you should have choice in.

[srbbones]

We already have a huge problem with people who vote, but take no responsibility to exercise an INFORMED vote. That is why we have politicians who lie or only give canned answers: doing otherwise would effect the vote of large numbers of lazy voters, who decide elections. Mandatory voting would only exacerbate this.

I wish everyone would exercise their right to place an informed vote.

[Hash]

If one does not find any common grounds with the election platforms on offer it is hard to vote with a good conscious , and this is the key to vote.

[papatrips]

If tearing up the ballot or spoiling the ballot is not a way of showing your view on the options - maybe the government should include the famous multiple choice options of

e.)none of the above deserve my vote.

Well it would have to be worded better. Then stats can be truly kept on votes cast that are not spoiled because someone could not colour inside a line.

I personally think it is an important stat to have. If two, three or more politicians are not worthy of your vote, that indicates a serious problem when many share your view.

[SCgarman]

Here in the US more people do not vote in elections than do. I would love to see our government even effing try to fine us for not voting.

Sounds like in OZ there are some facist elements to your government. Not sure if I could tolerate that myself.

[wabashcr]

I had no idea voting was compulsory in Australia. Honestly I'm shocked. Voting is a right, and when it becomes mandatory, it stops being a right. Forcing someone to vote is an appalling infringement on individual liberty. I vote regularly, but the day they make it compulsory, I wouldn't be forced to vote, even at gunpoint.

I'm also not a fan of the notion that those who don't vote can't complain. Logic would dictate that those who vote for the party in control can't complain, either. They're presumably the ones to blame. So the only ones allowed to complain are those who voted for the loser? Screw that. If the candidates are terrible, I don't forfeit my right to complain just because I refuse to pick one.

[luv2fly]

In the USA voting is a right not a forced activity. There has been talk about making it a law to vote. I feel that I have the right to vote or not vote. Of course if I don't vote I have no room to complain.

[CigarEnthusiast]

Only problem with the idea of forced voting is that many citizens of all countries are not well-informed. Simply put everyone doesn't have the resources to vote. I'm not just talking about getting to the poll, but also being able to be fully aware of each side's positions and their implications. Thus such egalitarian ideas are futile, but hopefully one day they will not be. And that time may come soon enough with the advances in technology. Therefore as of now forcing everyone to vote would simply be to the detriment of a country.

Moreover Plato points out that democracy is essentially governed by those who are popular not those who are best suited for the job. Just look around you today and you'll see the results of democracy. It incentives short-term policies at the expense of a country's future. Even if everyone can afford to vote by missing work and staying well-informed it wouldn't do much good. It would simply be a bigger election for class president determined by arbitrary factors that are irrelevant to the nation.

In conclusion, yes, you are wise and correct for being against such an unpragmatic policy. There are no real tangible advantages to forcing citizens to vote, but there are MANY costly disadvantages.

Maybe the right question to ask is why was this particular policy enacted and what is their agenda?

[IcedCanuck]

I think forcing people to vote is the wrong direction to take. If I were 'forced' to vote and I did not like any of the candidates I would 'spoil' my ballot. In the last provincial election here in Ontario, the Canadian province I live in, I 'declined' my vote. I thought all the candidates were terrible and could not in good conscience support any of them. When the deputy returning officer handed me my ballot I handed it back and said "I decline my vote". Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta recognize declined votes as a separate category. None of the other Canadian provinces and territories recognize it nor does the federal government. However, here in my home province it is recognized and counted in a separate category.

Even if all provinces and the feds recognized declining your ballot I still do not think it would be good to force people to vote. Some people really don't give two cents and couldn't be bothered. IMHO forcing an uninformed voter to cast a ballot is not a good idea.

[...]

Prez... How about running for office yourself? Nothing like it to get interested in the electoral process

[El Presidente]

Prez... How about running for office yourself? Nothing like it to get interested in the electoral process

With the skeletons in my closet.....I would be front page of the daily's for a month

[stogieluver]

In the U. S., I'd be in favor of paying about half the country to not vote. We are now a country of uninformed voters who vote based on what little news they watch coming from the propagandized, highly biased, liberal media, and for most, Comedy Central. I'd be in favor of my tax money going for this worthy cause.

[mash]

With the skeletons in my closet.....I would be front page of the daily's for a month

The Trump strategy. Good short term plan, but no staying power.

[LLC]

I think making people vote allows politicians the easy way out (normal for them) because they don't have to work hard to make you compelled to vote.

The only way it should be mandatory is if one of the choices was "none of these wankers".

[skalls]

I believe it is my civic duty to vote. If I don't vote I feel like I don't have any right to complain over whatever situations occur as a result of the candidate. Having said that I don't believe that it would make a ton of difference if I didn't. And certainly don't believe you should be fined for not voting.

[Ken Gargett]

Here in the US more people do not vote in elections than do. I would love to see our government even effing try to fine us for not voting.

Sounds like in OZ there are some facist elements to your government. Not sure if I could tolerate that myself.

every country has quirks and curiosities and absurdities that seem fascist or socialist or plain stupid to others. a lot depends on what you re used to, what you grow up with.

the fine is only about $10 i think. certainly it is only minor.

it is not hard to poke holes in your own country and nor is it hard to poke holes in others.

[El Presidente]

every country has quirks and curiosities and absurdities that seem fascist or socialist or plain stupid to others. a lot depends on what you re used to, what you grow up with.

the fine is only about $10 i think. certainly it is only minor.

it is not hard to poke holes in your own country and nor is it hard to poke holes in others.

$55 was the fine. As I was away OS when I received the "notice" and did not respond within the 14 days, it went to $110.

Total fines issued for non voting in the last Queensland Election was $28 Million.

Nice little earner

[Ken Gargett]

checked up on the history.

seems the majority were against it. there were a few attempts to introduce it early last century that fell through. compulsory enrollment was introduced in 1911, but largely to help keep track of people in such a young country. there was a royal commission round 1915 which recommended it but it was never adopted. there were a few attempts, largely because the nation had voting against conscription in WWI. then in 1924, some minor politician brought in a private members' bill to introduce it. apparently there was bugger all interest in it and it somehow slipped through, largely because no one cared too much either way at that time.

and thanks to that, we've been stuck with it ever since.

[Ken Gargett]

$55 was the fine. As I was away OS when I received the "notice" and did not respond within the 14 days, it went to $110.

Total fines issued for non voting in the last Queensland Election was $28 Million.

Nice little earner

the best reason for them to keep it.

in the bit on the history above, i forgot to mention that good old queensland introduced it on a state basis in 1915 - the first place in australia. christ knows why.

[earthson]

Wow. I never heard of being fined for not voting!

[ajgagnon]

I think it's great to have the right to soil a ballot, and if that's what someone wants to do, that's great. However, if anyone doesn't show up to vote, I think they should have their tongue stapled until the next election (no offense, Pres). In fact, I feel better about it because it shows up in the stats as a F-U. On the flip side, I think there should be some screen for voters, whether based on education or something. How can a vote based on unfounded opinion be worth the same as one that's rooted in reality?

[Jeremy Festa]

I think we should be thoroughly encouraged to vote. But not punished for not voting.

Sent from my iPhone

[Dimmers]

Its a civic duty, I'm all in favour of it. Its not a massive burden to turn out to vote every so often.

Good article on point (and a good website generally):

http://theconversation.com/compulsory-voting-much-like-democracy-beats-the-alternatives-34765

[Jeremy Festa]

Wow. I never heard of being fined for not voting!

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Great post.

[Fuzz]

I say voting should be mandatory... but the ballot must include the option, "None of these self-serving, supercilious, pond scum sucking <moderated> above".