Having a form of identification to vote.

[Warren Dew]

Yes. One should have to show ID, and I'd like to have people show that they understand the issues and are familiar with the candidates.

There isn't any way to implement a "show they understand the issues" test that can't be turned into political discrimination, though.

[Gallstones]

Yes. One should have to show ID, and I'd like to have people show that they understand the issues and are familiar with the candidates.

There isn't any way to implement a "show they understand the issues" test that can't be turned into political discrimination, though.

It needn't be any more discriminatory than a high school civics test.

[JimC]

I think compulsory voting is definitely a minority amongst democratic nations. We have it in Oz, but it's not really the voting that's compulsory, it's turning up on the day and having your name ticked off that's compulsory...

If you want to take your ballot paper, and write "Mickey Mouse" on it, or FUCK ALL POLITICIANS, you can easily do so...

If it's not actually compulsory voting, it sound pretty pointless, to be honest.

Well, it does encourage people to actually attend, so is an antidote to apathy I suppose... When people have the ballot in their hands, then they can exercise a free choice, which also include not voting for any of the politicians touting for one's vote...

Generally speaking, people here seem quite happy with it as a system - it suits me OK...

Actually, I have never voted informal, but that might change at the next election...

[JimC]

Yes. One should have to show ID, and I'd like to have people show that they understand the issues and are familiar with the candidates.

There isn't any way to implement a "show they understand the issues" test that can't be turned into political discrimination, though.

It needn't be any more discriminatory than a high school civics test.

Although I, like most people, would prefer voters to have some knowledge of the political system they belong to, I think any attempt to test would end up being an absolute can of worms, with all sorts of potential for abuse...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

[Gawdzilla Sama]

[Clinton Huxley]

If we make voting compulsory, can we make sticking to a manifesto compulsory too?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If we make voting compulsory, can we make sticking to a manifesto compulsory too?

Campaign promises become campaign guarantees?

[Clinton Huxley]

If we make voting compulsory, can we make sticking to a manifesto compulsory too?

Campaign promises become campaign guarantees?

It'd be crazy!

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If we make voting compulsory, can we make sticking to a manifesto compulsory too?

Campaign promises become campaign guarantees?

It'd be crazy!

Very quiet elections.

[Warren Dew]

Yes. One should have to show ID, and I'd like to have people show that they understand the issues and are familiar with the candidates.

There isn't any way to implement a "show they understand the issues" test that can't be turned into political discrimination, though.

It needn't be any more discriminatory than a high school civics test.

Leaving aside the degree of indoctrination in high school civics classes, the political system guarantees that the party in power would warp the testing to suppress opponents' votes.

[Warren Dew]

Generally speaking, people here seem quite happy with it as a system - it suits me OK...

People here like nonmandatory voting, too. That just shows that people like what they're used to; it's not an argument in favor of mandatory voting.

Edit: and I know some Aussies who don't like the system.

[JimC]

Warren Dew wrote:

and I know some Aussies who don't like the system.

Radical trouble-making scum who should be locked up for the rest of their pathetic lives!

[MrJonno]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/ju ... NETTXT3487

As I suspected nothing to do with fraud and everything to do with making it expensive in money and time for the poor to get to vote.

Come to the conclusion now no matter how good an idea may potentially look closely at where it is coming from.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/ju ... NETTXT3487

As I suspected nothing to do with fraud and everything to do with making it expensive in money and time for the poor to get to vote.

Come to the conclusion now no matter how good an idea may potentially look closely at where it is coming from.

I said that way back there. The Republicans want to exclusivize the vote, to control who votes, and they think Vote Exclusion Acts are the way to do this.