Compulsory voting

[MVOR]

What do you think of making it compulsory to vote? I think its a disgrace that people just don't bother voting. Its something that only takes a few minutes and can have a huge impact on the country. I think making it compulsory to vote and having the election on a Sunday so most people are off and the rest won't be working long hours would be the solution to apathy. Could always have a vote on it introduction, add it to the constitution

[iamian]

Only if they add a 'No suitable candidate' option to ballot papers. Otherwise no.

I don't think forcing people to vote is likely to endear them to democracy though.

[MerlinSouthDublin]

I've always felt there should be compulsory voting (for general elections only). The state doesn't ask you to do much (apart from paying a sh**load of tax), so asking you to spend a few minutes voting once every five years is not a lot to ask.

[MVOR]

I think a box at the end for none of the above could be added, though none of the above would probably win every time.

[DSCH]

The beauty of liberal deomcracy is that it allows you to opt out and not be punished for it

[Agrona]

I don't think there should be compulsory voting, but you shouldn't be allowed moan on any radio phone in, or in any letters page, if you haven't voted.

[songbird]

I think that everybody should vote, and definitely shouldn't be allowed to complain or moan unless they have. However, people should also have the choice to opt out of the democratic process, if they want to. Nobody should be forced to vote.
In SU elections in my college they have an option at the bottom "reopen nominations". I think somthing along those lines should be included, for people who want to vote but haven't been convinced by any of the candidates.

[Pidge]

There's an idea out there that all views are equal in worth.

I used to buy into it, but I'm no longer quite so convinced. Sometimes, for example, a view based on an ignorant preconception is worth less than one based on actual research and knowledge.

I wouldn't be in favour of stopping people from voting because I don't think that they've examined the parties sufficiently, but voluntary voting allows a degree of self-censorship, when people don't know about politics, they can opt out.

[Barricadas!]

I think the idea is insane.

Just because one does not partake in parliamentary elections, does not mean they are politically inactive. I identify as a libertarian socialist ( or...that dreaded anarchist word ) and personally:

I would not vote in parliament elections.

I'd vote in referendums (For instance a referendums on abortion)

You can make the case apathy is a big player in low turnouts, and maybe it is for the majority...but some people have problems with the very system involved, and you have to respect that.

I have to state though, I may be an exception in that I would feel the need to go to the polls if somebody like say Joe Higgins was in my area. I would not feel hypocritical in doing so either, but I do not feel the need to pick the best apples out of a rotten old bunch

I don't think I lose the right to criticize the state by not voting. Theres no real strong argument for that, especially if one does not the parliament as a form of true democracy. We vote in unions, we vote at meetings of local councils and the likes...I just don't want to vote some fecker into represent me for 5 odd years.

taken from an online blog:

"2. If you voted for the loser, you participated knowing full well that your candidate losing was a distinct possibility, else the elections were not “fair.” By voting, you gave your explicit approval to the system, so you have no right to complain."

[Mazzy Maz]

Sounds good in theory, nightmare in practice.

Brazil, for example, supports a grotesquely bloated public service to track its citizens at home and abroad and, in my opinion, generally interferes far too much in people's lives as a result (although that might suit the socialists among you ). If, for some reason, I am unable to vote in a Brazilian presidential election then I have to report to the embassy in harcourt street with a written explanation! And so does every other Brazilian residing outside of Brazil (though not necessarily to Harcourt strret of course ).

I used to be in favour of mandatory voting until I came of age and experienced first-hand the infuriating bureacracy involved.

Also, what should punishment for non-compliance in be? In Brazil it might include a refusal to issue a passport.