Compulsory Voting?

[SweetSecrets]

I'm still waiting for the Aussies to comment on this thread? I guess they just never come around in this thread because it is always so focused on American politics.

Would love to hear some Aussie opinions here!!

[Panamark]

Originally posted by SweetSecrets
I'm still waiting for the Aussies to comment on this thread? I guess they just never come around in this thread because it is always so focused on American politics.

Would love to hear some Aussie opinions here!!

Well I'll throw another 2 cents in. I like the voting model we have here.
They make it easy as anything. Every school in your area is setup
as a polling booth, it takes five minutes of your time. If you
dont want to vote, you just fillout crap numbers on your voting
slip. Your name is not recorded on the slip..

We always get a percentage of donkey votes, but its only very
small.

The majority want to have a real say.

[Nickdfresh]

I like the issue FORD brought up, Election day should be a national holiday.

[academic punk]

An agency I used to freelance at (BBDO, they're huge, roster includes Pepsi, Gillette, etc.) supposedly gives the employees election day off.

It doesn't happen. If you have a presentation on Thursday for a $300,000,000 million dollar client, you're going to work.

Again, if people WANT to vote, they will. If they don't, they won't, either by not showing up or by, as P-Mark notes, scribbling some nonsense, and finding out that they helped elect Bill the Cat.

I think this country is now on the right track. In 2000, it was "cool" to be apathetic. That's COMPLETELY no longer the case. I think each election year will see greater and greater turn-outs for at least the next five years (including 2008's presidential election).

We also saw how 20,000 votes in one state can determine the election. That's NOTHING. So poeple will now be more motivated than ever to sa, "my vote DOES count."

And if getting to a polling booth is such an imposibility and inconvenience b/c of your work schedule, there is always the absentee ballot option so you KNOW you got it taken care of.

[Seshmeister]

Originally posted by SweetSecrets
I know what you mean, FORD! As a second grade teacher, I often find myself about to cuss in class, and have to stop myself. If a child is really pissing me off, I just want to go "Will you not just FUCKING listen to me you little prick!"

Then, I stop myself. (Thank God )

As a second grade teacher you'll fit in fine aorund here...

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by Seshmeister
As a second grade teacher you'll fit in fine aorund here...

Hey! I resemble that remark! :D

[SweetSecrets]

Originally posted by academic punk

We also saw how 20,000 votes in one state can determine the election. That's NOTHING. So poeple will now be more motivated than ever to sa, "my vote DOES count."

I don't know, Academic P. I feel like people have always known that.

I mean, just look at the election before last....the whole Florida confusion thing. We realized that then, yet it didn't seem to matter this time around. Still, only 60% of America voted.

[academic punk]

Originally posted by SweetSecrets
I don't know, Academic P. I feel like people have always known that.

I mean, just look at the election before last....the whole Florida confusion thing. We realized that then, yet it didn't seem to matter this time around. Still, only 60% of America voted.

Sure it mattered. It's not a matter of "only" 60% of the country voting...it's a matter of the largest turn out in the polls in the history of the country. Just b/c the results may have been disappointing (well, for me and FORD at least) doesn't take away from that fact (and that the largest number of votes ever against the victor).

And last time around it came down to faulty machines and whatnot. This time, it was about the votes and voters themselves.

2008 will be interesting b/c it's improbable that someone who will appeal so much to the neo-con vote will be the Republican candidate, so a HUGE segment of the population that reelected Bush may not turn out again (as they tradtitionally have not). The again, the lib and progressive side may not have as mcuh vehement motivation to get out and vote.

But I think it will be ...mmmm...65%. Time'll tell.

[Panamark]

As for the public holiday, great idea !!
The bastards always make polling day on a Saturday here

[FORD]

Originally posted by Panamark
As for the public holiday, great idea !!
The bastards always make polling day on a Saturday here

So what's the problem with that? vote early and then start your election party

[Panamark]

True dat, most people go in the morning..
We normally have a real result that night..

Good system..