Election Soon - How do we get NON VOTERS to VOTE

[Odyessus]

Voting should be compulsory, as in Australia. The forefathers of our proud democracy did not lay their lives down for a generation to sit around smoking cannabis. Voting is a sacred duty. I have not voted yet - the next election will be my first, when it comes. I will be thinking of Pearse and Collins and De Valera and the forefathers of our country as I proudly cast my ballot in the national interest.

I have a constitutional right to vote. I do not want lose that right, nor will I vote for such a change in a constitutional referendum, which is the only way such a change could be made.

[bored and fussy]

I know several young people who say they dont know what to do in a voting station, this should be taught at school and the PR system explained to them, then and only then will young people vote. some of them do vote of course and understand as well if not better than most, but there is a lot of people who have not got the knowledge and therefore havent the confidence to go to a voting station.

[Odyessus]

In certain countries you can be fined if you don't vote ,it might be worth considering

Unconstitutional.

[johnfás]

I know several young people who say they dont know what to do in a voting station, this should be taught at school and the PR system explained to them, then and only then will young people vote. some of them do vote of course and understand as well if not better than most, but there is a lot of people who have not got the knowledge and therefore havent the confidence to go to a voting station.

It is on the CSPE syllabus for the Junior Certificate. Could be taught better of course.

Regarding other comments above, it is perfectly possible to construct a system which makes participating (i.e. turning up) a compulsory aspect of citizenship, whilst still recognising the right to not give a choice by permitting people to submit an empty or spoilt ballot.

[Newsy]

I like this

Hate listening to folk, saying "ah sure what's the point" etc. to up the % of the amount of the "ELECTORATE" that do vote, is surely a start to political reform And getting the under 30s etc to be more involved...maybe in this climate there is an increase in this demographic ?

Hopefully.

[PUFF DADDY]

I know several young people who say they dont know what to do in a voting station, this should be taught at school and the PR system explained to them, then and only then will young people vote. some of them do vote of course and understand as well if not better than most, but there is a lot of people who have not got the knowledge and therefore havent the confidence to go to a voting station.

I agree with this, in particular the PR system - be done in civic studies or whatever it is called now.


Though, I do have some hope, my 16yr niece, just finished her inter oops mean junior cert, wants to apply for "political science and history" in Trinity - there is hope for us yet, move over couglan/harney/miriam

Though a campaign to get those "non voters" off ther arses" has got to be worth a shot ?

[Newsy]

I know several young people who say they dont know what to do in a voting station, this should be taught at school and the PR system explained to them, then and only then will young people vote. some of them do vote of course and understand as well if not better than most, but there is a lot of people who have not got the knowledge and therefore havent the confidence to go to a voting station.

Also......if parents vote, the children, when they are of age, tend to vote.

[Ah Well]

Randon thought.

How do you get non registered voters or non voters - TO VOTE - citizens of this country, to get up of their arses and VOTE and please don't make this thread be derailed by "they are all the same crap"

If and when there is an election, I was thinking as a Non Party Voter, of just simply popping through the "letterboxes" of my area - a canvas in the lines of USE YOUR VOTE !

Any thoughts/ideas ?

OR

[PUFF DADDY]

Also......if parents vote, the children, when they are of age, tend to vote.

Through, I come from that type of family, though, Parents were split ie one FF and one FG/LAB, never influenced me, other than, all us 5 "kids" vote and not influenced by parents, other than of course when u are 18 you CAN vote...

[CookieMonster]

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