Vote....or else!

[Galant]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23930633

Just learned that in Australia you are, apparently, required by law to vote (or face a fine).

Considering elections, even national ones, typically see low turn out, does the idea of a bit of carrot and stick to motivate voting carry some weight?

Should something similar be implemented in the UK (either carrot or stick)?

Of course, I've no idea whether this is even successful in Australia but it's a shocking and yet intriguing idea.

[DanceswithUnix]

I make a point of voting, but there have been occasions when I can't make it for some reason. The thought of being forced to vote seems awful.

Free tattoo with every vote might increase turnout

[AETAaAS]

You will participate in this democracy weather you like it or not. Reminds me of that Futurama quote, "I say the world must learn of our peaceful ways... by force!"

Free tattoo with every vote might increase turnout

All I could think when you posted that was a dystopian future; "Voter 4057751" right across your forehead.

[Galant]

You will participate in this democracy weather you like it or not.

Ah but isn't that one of the wonders of democracy? It's forceful government by election. So if the people vote for something (or the people elected by the people vote for something) then is it really force? Isn't it just the democratic will in action, such that "we, the people, via our elected representatives, have decided that in our country, everyone has to participate in voting"?

We're all forced to do, or not do, lots of things, by law, whether we like it or not.

Yay democracy!

[mikolaj87]

I think it's a good and bad solution, because many people don't vote as they are simply lazy , and because of that some highly motivated group of individuals can select a bad party, politicians etc. But on the other hand how many of forced people know the program of people they vote on? I can bet that at least 50% of them just tick the box and try to forget about this unpleasant day...

I think that the only good way to enforce citizens to vote is to teach them since early days that voting is a privilege and that they can have an impact on the things that happens around them.

[AETAaAS]

Ah but isn't that one of the wonders of democracy? It's forceful government by election. So if the people vote for something (or the people elected by the people vote for something) then is it really force? Isn't it just the democratic will in action, such that "we, the people, via our elected representatives, have decided that in our country, everyone has to participate in voting"?

We're all forced to do, or not do, lots of things, by law, whether we like it or not.

Yay democracy!

Ooo... that's a tough one. If politics in the United States and indeed even in the UK and newly formed 'democracies' in the middle east *koff*Egypt*koff* prove anything about democracy, it's that whoever gets in office does not necessarily represent all of the population.

We get handed down a set of laws based on where we are born because that's where many of us choose to live out our lives, not all laws in force were unanimously agreed and a larger proportion were put into force before we began our time on this earth, which shows when some really anachronistic law gets used in court.

[Saracen]

I'm not convinced of the case for compulsory voting, but if introduced, it MUST (IMHO, of course) be accompanied by a "none if the above" option.

One of the problems with compulsory voting is the nature of the sanction. If it's a small fine, for example, it will have a far greater impact on the poor than the rich. If, for example, it's £20, that could have a devastating effect on the poor, and could be several days food budget, but to a well-paid individual, it's not even a decent bottle of wine with dinner. And to the wealthy, it's an irrelevant pin-prick.

[Saracen]

.....

I think that the only good way to enforce citizens to vote is to teach them since early days that voting is a privilege and that they can have an impact on the things that happens around them.

But is it a privilege, or a duty?

[mikolaj87]

Personally I think it's a privilege, but every one is allowed to have his own opinion.

[AETAaAS]

Personally I think it's a privilege, but every one is allowed to have his own opinion.

Are you saying that to determine if voting is a priviledge, a duty, a right or so on... that we must have... a vote?

[aramil]

I vote on a regular basis.

But.

For the party/person I disagree with the least.

As I rarely agree with any of them.

Not sure that is how this whole democracy thing is supposed to work.

[Phage]

It's a duty and a privilege, obviously.
Enforcing participation in the democratic process is a good thing (tm).
You can of course spoil your vote, or just not mark the slip at all.

[Noxvayl]

I agree with Saracen that if there is compulsory voting then a "None of the above" option is a must but before we even consider compulsory voting we should have good look at the way in which voting occurs and the impact that has on our system, first past the post voting is a horrible way to do things in a democracy. I like CGP Grey's analysis of our voting system:

[scaryjim]

Enforced voting? No thanks. And particularly not with a "first past the post" electoral system - terrible idea.

Millions of people voting with no idea where anyone stands on the issues? Who knows what kind of government we'd get under those circumstance....

[Phage]

Aus also has PR

[peterb]

There is always the option to spoil the ballot paper.

There is an alternative method of democracy - parliamentary representatives are selected by random ballot to serve for a period of time. It would be a paid position, but those selected would have to serve - a bit like jury service.