Compulsory voting

[Sappho]

Fantastic stuff Heretic. I'm going try that at the Vic state elections coming up.

[freediver]

I think it's interesting how the American politicians cross the floor more often. Is this a result of optional voting, because it forces the politicians to focus on representing their local area more - ie they won't get elected just because they are in the right party, so the locals are the real masters rather than the party? Os is there something else different?

I guess there needs to be a consequence when something is mandatory but it is a hassle for those who can not vote for legitimate reasons.

I think they do accept legitimate excuses.

[Sappho]

Well, you have a choice. You can vote early at the pre-polling centres, which I've done before, or you can do a postal vote which I did this time around.

Chances are that I'll do a postal vote again cause it's just so easy, saves the hassle of fines and what not and I can still go informal.

[Outlaw Yogi]

Last time I voted, it was postal and deliberately informal.

I put a diagonal line/stroke across the ballot through all candidates names and chose what I call the 'Richard Pryor option'
by writing "None of the above".
Then moved house a deliberately refrained from re-enrolling so I don't have to vote again.
Besides that, if the electoral commission ever tried threatening me with prosecution again, I'll remind them I don't have to vote regardless of whether I'm enrolled or not because I'm a former resident of a maximum security gaol.