Should voting be compulsory?

[Aussie]

While I can see the benefit of voluntary voting I think it could cause many problems especially to marginalised groups.

Howso?

[therealmiranda]

I think the way politics works already demonstrates how it could impact on marginalised groups: if marginalised groups fail to vote, governments/politicians will stop delivering policies that help them. Politicians will campaign for the vote of the majority even more so than already happens, meaning important welfare programs could fall by the wayside. I don't want Australia to fall into the trap of the US - with campaigns to get out and actually vote needed. I want politicians to commit to policies based on their political or personal ideologies not because they think a certain policy will win them government through motivating someone to go out and vote.

[Black Orchid]

I think ... we already have one of these threads

[mellie]

While I can see the benefit of voluntary voting I think it could cause many problems especially to marginalised groups.

Howso?

I might jump in here...

Marginalised groups remain among the most unrepresented and discarded members of our society.

If nothing else, in Australia they maintain their right to vote, their vote counts and matters just as much as anyone else's irrespective of class and social standing.

Rendering their vote voluntary would be more or less saying "Well, your vote really isn't that important to us anyway, so abstain if you like."

Is this a message we want to be sending to further divide the classes?

Also, with voting being compulsory, workplaces must accommodate their workers obligatory right to vote.

Take a look at how it is in America.... (some states permit workers time off to vote, others don't) and be aware, many disadvantaged people are among those who are more inclined to work weekends, which is when we are required to vote.

http://www.findlaw.com/voting-rights-law.html

They may feel obliged to give up their right to vote for their need to work and put food on the table.

If it's compulsory, then the decision has been taken from them and their employer must allow them time off work to cast their vote.

[mellie]

I think ... we already have one of these threads

But I like this one.

[Aussie]

if marginalised groups fail to vote, governments/politicians will stop delivering policies that help them.

I don't get how the 'voluntary voting issue' is part of that equation. Whether voting is compulsory or not, surely any group that may be adversely affected by polling outcomes....would vote to save themselves from that outcome.

FWIW.....I believe voting ought be compulsory for many reasons, none unique to me......but I do say this.

The ONLY reason any Government would seek to change a system which has been in place since (I think) 1915.....is because THEY believe THEY can benefit from the change, and it is no surprise this comes from Joh's right wing lying apprentice, The Can't.

[mellie]

I don't get how the 'voluntary voting issue' is part of that equation. Whether voting is compulsory or not, surely any group that may be adversely affected by polling outcomes....would vote to save themselves from that outcome.

-Aussie


What if they were not permitted the time off work required to vote?

If voting is voluntary, then employers might be more inclined to place pressure on their workers to forgo their right to vote in favour of keeping their jobs.

[therealmiranda]

The ONLY reason any Government would seek to change a system which has been in place since (I think) 1915.....is because THEY believe THEY can benefit from the change, and it is no surprise this comes from Joh's right wing lying apprentice, The Can't.

"In Australia, compulsory voting in federal elections was introduced in 1924 while compulsory enrolment for federal elections had been introduced in 1912."
- http://cheaperthanrubies.com/2012/11/08 ... -you-vote/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Aussie]

I don't get how the 'voluntary voting issue' is part of that equation. Whether voting is compulsory or not, surely any group that may be adversely affected by polling outcomes....would vote to save themselves from that outcome.

-Aussie


What if they were not permitted the time off work required to vote?

If voting is voluntary, then employers might be more inclined to place pressure on their workers to forgo their right to vote in favour of keeping their jobs.

Bollocks........Elections are held on Saturdays.....and even if you are working on the relevant Saturday....you have other options.....postal or pre-poll, for example.

[Aussie]

The ONLY reason any Government would seek to change a system which has been in place since (I think) 1915.....is because THEY believe THEY can benefit from the change, and it is no surprise this comes from Joh's right wing lying apprentice, The Can't.

"In Australia, compulsory voting in federal elections was introduced in 1924 while compulsory enrolment for federal elections had been introduced in 1912."
- http://cheaperthanrubies.com/2012/11/08 ... -you-vote/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We are far more advanced here in Queensland.