Newsgroups: aus.politics
Subject: Compulsory voting (Re: Will Victorians vote stupid yet again...?)
From: mjp@itd.dsto.gov.au
Date: 4 Nov 92 15:00:13 CST
 <1992Nov1.134734.16208@monu1.cc.monash.edu.au>   
 <1992Nov1.231512.14159@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au> <1992Nov2.135535.11020@monu1.cc.monash.edu.au> <brian.720755433@coombs>

brian@coombs.anu.edu.au (Brian) writes:

>pol253b@monu1.cc.monash.edu.au (Ms D Alexander) writes:

>>In article <1992Nov1.231512.14159@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au> suter@fawlty8.eng.monash.edu.au (Mr D. Suter) writes:
>>>
>>>At the risk of opening up an old discussion  - I think that this is
>>>just another example of the stupidity of compulsory voting. It forces
>>>people to vote who can't even be bothered reading the newspapers
>>>or the other supporting literature. Of course, there are other contributing
>>>factors (such as the amazingly short memories of some people particularly
>>>when it allows them to vent their spleen at all and sundry).

>>I think the main objection to compulsory voting in a "democratic" system, is
>>that is it not democratic.  I don't really have objections to it other than
>>that - but that is a rather major objection.

Most people would agree that to have a truly democratic
system	
	Everyone must have the right and practical ability to vote
	Everyone's vote must count equally.

My argument in favour of compulsorary attendence is that
unless you force all of a persons peers (i.e. those of a
similar political persuasion) to vote, that person's own
vote would not have it's full power. This ensures that every
group in the community has raw votes commensurate with their
population (but this does not necessarily translate into
seats won if the voting system in not proportional).
Basically my vote has no value/power on its own and
compulsory voting, by ensuring that my vote can be counted
along with others ensures that it obtains it's full value.

This problem can be self sustaining if a group feels it has
no chance of electing anyone (a fact because not many in
that group votes) and so they don't bother to vote.

In addition, compulsory voting ensures greater access to
voting facilities at hospitals, in local areas, by post etc,
whereas in other countries parties cart people to the
polling stations, and if you don't happen to be in range
tough. Moreover compulsory voting reduces the cost of
electoral campaigns substantially and also reduce therefore
reduce the chance of influence via donations.


I also strongly reject the argument that it is someones
democratic right not to vote because quite frankly there are
many areas where we as citizens have responsibilities
commensurate with our rights. I.e. we have  a right to a
democratically and fairly and we have to put some effort
back into that system, and voting once in three years is
such an impossition. No one would seriously suggest that
people should have the free choice to opt out of the
taxation system because they don't like it's style.

I have many problems with the current method of elections
and also the quality of many candidates, but I also have a
responsibility to the rest of the electorate to vote in the
most informed way I can. 

Some of the arguments for optional voting are:
	Get rid of the donkey vote
		This effect can be removed by randomising
		the order of candidates on individual ballot
		papers. This is done in Tasmania and also
		the pleasant side effect of preventing the
		gross wastage associated with how to vote
		cards. The first time this was used the
		informal vote jumped markedly, but then
		settled down to a level well below previous
		ones.

	None of them are worth voting for
		Firstly, if you opt out of the system, you
		are letting these people get away with it.
		Also if you consistently vote against the
		sitting member, you are saying I want something better.
		At anyrate turning over the sitting member
		each election really stuffs up their
		super.
		
I think this is just a case of the problem of the commons,
it would be nice if we only had to vote if we cared to, but
if we want to ensure everyone can vote effectively, then
everyone must vote.
--
Michael Pilling				Phone: +61 8 259 7017
Software Engineering Group		Fax: +61 8 259 5980
Information Technology Division		Telex: AA82799
DSTO Australia				michael_pilling@itd.dsto.gov.au
Newsgroups: aus.politics