by Shaved Monkey » Thu 14 Dec 2017, 02:42:09
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')So, from what I've read, if they don't want to vote, they have to claim they were sick, or were far away, etc, and pay a fine.
Interesting. From what I read, voting occurs on a Saturday, so at least hopefully many people could vote without worrying about missing work, traffic jams caused by rush hour traffic after work, etc.
I also read (all my reading has been via internet links from Google searches) that the fine in Australia is $20 for a first time offense, and $50 after that.
So though they call it compulsory (which sounds like an intimidating word), if you don't vote, it's about as third to a seventh as serious as getting a traffic ticket in my state, given court costs.
So the penalty is a minor inconvenience. OTOH, the internet reports that 94% of eligible voters voted, which implies it works, relative to places like the US and Britian.
Questions: Do you feel that the level of participation (and I'd guess, more discussion) causes better SUBSANTIVE coverage of the issues by the MSN? Do you feel it makes the populous relatively informed when they vote, compared to, say, the US or Britian?
Just curious. Thanks.
You can be excused on religious grounds ,I think Jehovahs Witnesses dont have to vote.
Saturday voting makes sense its always done on a date that allows maximum attendance, trying to avoid religious holidays or sporting events.
Voting is usually done at the local school its a day out time to have a democracy sausage
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Sausage.
I opt out and vote 2 weeks early at the local council offices where they have pre polling booths for people who are going to be away,I always pretend Im going to be away to avoid the crowds on election day.
People are just as ignorant here as anywhere else.
Its whatever the media feeds them and Rupert Murdoch owns most of it.
Its amazing he has never tipped against the eventual winner.
His man always wins but thats democracy for your he is obviously rich enough to have more votes.
To win an election all you need is about a 2% swing Rupert just needs to run his constant advetorials targeting a 2% demographic change.
Rinse and repeat