Comments on: Not voting is a vote against the electoral system

By: Fiona

Fiona — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

If you are going to be a member of an institute the least you can do is get your research correct. You are not obliged to vote, you are obliged to have your name marked off the roll and take your ballot into the box. You can put it in the box unmarked.

By: Cleverick

Cleverick — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

My own vote will be going to a minor party precisely because I know they get money and I want to support them and find out more about them. I support advertising of this facet of the electoral process. People have a right to know how their tax is spent.

By: Sue Bradford

Sue Bradford — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

There’s always the option of spoiling your ballot and putting no one in the 1st preferences spot. Put 1 all the way down or nothing at all. You’ve fulfilled your legal obligation and can have the satisfaction of knowing that your $2.10 is safe.

By: Olivia Callahan

Olivia Callahan — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Futhermore, if voting (or at least, appearing at the ballot box) is made optional, the only voices that will be heard are those from the lunatic fringe on either side. People are apathetic, if they don’t have to, they won’t, even if they have an opinion.

By: Frank Birchall

Frank Birchall — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Compulsory voting is not “unique” to Australia. There are 32 countries with compulsory voting of which 19 enforce the CV law.

By: Olivia Callahan

Olivia Callahan — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

If you remove the public electoral funding, we will end up with the system they have in the US, where only those candidates with incredible wealth or corporate sponsorship (and resulting obligations) have a chance at governing the country.

By: Richard McGuire

Richard McGuire — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Spot on Fiona. The only reason the political right, which includes the CIS, calls for voting to be optional, is their belief it will benefit the conservative side of politics. As for major party dominance, changes to the electoral system is the way to go.