I honestly had a head spin when I was told the voting isn’t mandatory and they don’t get time off for it
No wonder everyone is so apathetic over there
Comment on Record enrolment [98.2%] ahead of 2025 federal election | AEC
null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 weeks ago
Honestly compulsory voting is one of the best things about Australian democracy.
Trying to explain it to the yanks is just bonkers.
bfg9k@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Yeah, it makes the “both sides” narrative very effective.
hanrahan@slrpnk.net 4 weeks ago
Used to be big fan but no longer, forcing somone to vote when they don’t want to seems an odd thing to ne proud off. They wont make any sort of rational choice.
I read a stat some years ago that >60% of people still don’t know who they will vote for as they approach the polling booth which is why we get slammed with a zillion how to vote cards. They should not be voting at all.
null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 weeks ago
I see it as giving everyone the responsibility to choose a representative. I don’t think that’s much to ask of citizens in a democracy. It’s not like “forcing” a vegan to eat meat.
I like mandatory voting because it makes more people take an interest, and frankly I find it kind of undemocratic to try to suppress votes from people who might be less informed than yourself.
If they really object to voting they can pay the $20 fine as a conscientious objector.
I can’t really respond to a made up statistic that you read somewhere. People use how to vote cards to choose preferences.
Nath@aussie.zone 4 weeks ago
You don’t have to vote. You only need to get your name crossed off. You are then able to just leave if you really want.
And while those ‘how to vote cards’ (and their pushers) are annoying if you don’t need or want them, they do help people get something close to their wishes down on the ballot.
Whirlybird@aussie.zone 4 weeks ago
With the number of people who actively vote against their own interests because they’re dumb, I’m starting to agree with those who say voting shouldn’t be compulsory.
pupbiru@aussie.zone 4 weeks ago
compulsory voting removes some of the apathy: “they’re both the same” isn’t as powerful to stop people getting out to vote if they’re already at the polling place… it virtually eliminates voter suppression
Whirlybird@aussie.zone 4 weeks ago
I’m sorry but “voter suppression” isn’t a thing, especially when something as logical and simple as “have ID to prove you have the right to vote” is constantly called “voter suppression”.
pupbiru@aussie.zone 4 weeks ago
that absolutely is voter suppression… voter fraud is not a real problem. if it were, sure! let’s do ID… but the fact is, it just doesn’t happen: the only way to actually move the needle is large scale voter fraud, and the systems in place absolutely catch that… a single vote (as much as we say your vote counts: it does, but more figuratively) doesn’t matter 1 bit
eureka@aussie.zone 4 weeks ago
Why would they suddenly not vote if it became optional? The problem isn’t that they’re voting, it’s that they don’t have the class consciousness to recognise and investigate their core interests in federal politics.
From Condorcet’s jury theorem, it’s clear that having a few million less voters won’t solve the problem, but improving the political literacy of voters can.
Whirlybird@aussie.zone 4 weeks ago
Lots and LOTS of people only vote because they’re dumb have to, and they vote for whoever lies the best.
If they didn’t have to vote they wouldn’t, and the major parties would lose a LOT of votes, which is what needs to happen. We need independents to actually have a chance.
Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone 4 weeks ago
Its a nice theory, but the people who stand in line saying, “the majors are as bad as each other, i’m gona send them both a message”, kind of undermines the idea.
I’d say it’d be a more uniform shift down in lower turnout than you’ve suggested across the political spectrum. But interestingly it’ll be of the more moderate sections of each political side. Thereby over time reducing the points of commonality between the Party’s resulting in increasingky hateful political partisan rhetoric and policies. So what has happened in the USA.
writingslowly@aus.social 4 weeks ago
@Whirlybird @null_dot arguably, not voting is a vote against your own interests
Whirlybird@aussie.zone 4 weeks ago
It’s less of a vote against your own interests than literally voting against your own interests. Less votes means each vote has more power.
Fleur_@hilariouschaos.com 4 weeks ago
The reality is there are more lazy people than mislead people. Getting rid of compulsory voting increases the fraction of mislead people voting. See American voter turnouts for reference.
dumblederp@piefed.social 4 weeks ago
Also postal voting. Muricans need time off work and if they're in a vote suppressed area might have to queue for many hours.
Fleur_@hilariouschaos.com 4 weeks ago
You can postal vote in America. It was one of the most talked about parts of the 2020 American presidential election