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Australia also has compulsory voting: > Countries with compulsory voting generally hold elections on a Saturday or Sunday as evidenced in nations such as Austr
by ihsw 13y ago
Australia also has compulsory voting:
> Countries with compulsory voting generally hold elections on a Saturday or Sunday as evidenced in nations such as Australia, to ensure that working people can fulfill their duty to cast their vote. Postal and pre-poll voting is provided to people who cannot vote on polling day, and mobile voting booths may also be taken to old age homes and hospitals to cater for immobilized citizens.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_voting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_voting
Notably, this results in election candidates adopting populist policies that more closely represent their constituents.
- verelo 13y agoSaying voting is compulsory isn't 100% accurate. The actual requirement is that you attend the poll, there is no way anyone can enforce that you cast a vote. You can simply turn up, get your name crossed off and walk right out the door without voting, or as many others choose to, cast an invalid vote.
- jacques_chester 13y agoHowever, while it is in practice unenforceable, you are still legally obliged to vote. In Australia it is considered a bit of a crisis if turnout falls below 85%.
- jacques_chester 13y ago> Notably, this results in election candidates adopting populist policies that more closely represent their constituents. I think a better term is more centrist policies. In compulsory systems, the Median Voter Theorem [0] is a much more accurate description of behaviour. In particular it means that the major parties can't be captured as easily by highly motivated minorities. And it also means that our politics is very transactional compared to countries with voluntary FPTP. No need to "get out the base", so no need for soaring rhetoric and less need for negative advertising. Some people see our generally uninspiring politicians as a bug; I see it as evidence of underlying features. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_voter_theorem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_voter_theorem
- gregsq 13y agoThe numbers were large enough in the most recent English elections to arrive at the same kind of 'centrist' outcome as in the most recent Australian general election. In England, turnout increases generally when important contention arises. I think your point is correct, but not unique.
- jacques_chester 13y agoMy point is that all our elections tend to lead to centrist outcomes because all our elections have, by voluntary standards, very high turnout.
- gregsq 13y agoThat they are populist I would tend to agree. Having voted in both the UK and Australia, I've concluded that compulsory voting in Australia leads to a type of popularity contest, and that the so called informal vote is viewed as either one of an error, a wasted opportunity for democratic engagement, or an act of stupidity. Certainly when counting votes, the informal votes are discarded as merit less. In the UK the election turnout percentage is just as important a metric for measuring overall confidence in the political process as the proportion of votes gained for the candidates. Another dimension to voter attitude which is lost in the compulsory system I believe. As it shows a general vote of confidence, the entire political class is highly observant of it.
- paddy_m 13y agoThe act of deliberately not voting is an under appreciated form of protest and non-consent.
- jacques_chester 13y agoIt would be easier and more explicit to add "None of the Above" to the ballot.