Voting in Australia?

Question

Politics Question for the Aussies

If I do not understand politics and I do not want to vote, how come I will get fined for not voting?

I mean it wouldn't be fair if I am not 'into politics' or understand them - what do you think?

I know I posted this ? already but only had one answer - would like more input on anyones thoughts please.

Answer 1

All people of voting age who are entitled to vote in Australia are required by law to be on the electoral roll. The roll is also used for selection for jury duty, another obligation of every citizen. While it is not common for people to be prosecuted for failing to place themselves on the roll it has happened.

Once on the roll, you are required to front up to a polling booth about every 18 months for either a Council or State or a Federal election. At the polling booth you have your name crossed off the list. As the ballot is private, what you do with the paper is up to you. You cannot remove it from the polling station and must put it in the ballot box but no-one can demand to see what you have written, if anything, on the ballot paper.

Whether you are interested in politics or not, it is your civic duty to be on the electoral roll and, every now and then, take part in the democratic process that was fought so long and hard for.

Australia finally became a democracy only 42 years ago when Queensland gave Aboriginal people the vote in 1965. Some Aboriginal people had been enfranchised since federation in some States and federally since 1963 but Queensland dragged the chain.

A right and a privilege that has taken so long to arrive should be treated with respect. You may not want to vote but you can get yourself down to a polling booth every now and then, it is not a lot to ask.

Answer 2

It's odd that Aussies don't feel INDEPENDENT simply because they don't have an Australian head of state. Monarchy isn't about that, a trained monkey could sit on a throne on Mars as monarch or as president. Constitutional Monarchy is about a method of government that, in this particular model's case, has been successful for 350 years. Name another system that has prevailed for so long without revolution or civil war. I will vote YES when there is a proper adult debate about AUSTRALIA'S place in the world and not it's ties to the Mother Country and not about the faults of the Windsors or the latent anti-British sentiment that so often infects the debate amongst the population. When there is a proper debate about a new constitution that will match the new state. I will vote yes when it is about Australia and it's future and not about Britain and Australia's past. And it would be wise that people remember that that Great Republic, the USA whose founding fathers cobbled together a constitution in effectively a few months, is still a work in progress some 231 years on. When Australian's have a debate that realises not all of their hang-ups, anxieties and sentiments about "independence", in an already independent country, will be resolved in one referendum, but have a debate adult enough to accept that it too will always be a work in progress. Then I will vote yes. Malcolm Turnbull was on the right track when he started his campaign all those years ago, but even he has realised it's pointless and more or less given up hope that the country will ever be ready to grow. Or even grow-up.

Answer 3

I can see both sides of this.

People have fought and died for the right to be enfranchised, i.e. have a say in how their country is governed. I take it you're female - in which case this applies even more to you, because women had to fight so much harder to get the vote.

So, it is your duty to vote. Just think of all the countries in the world where you would not get a vote, even nowadays. Shall we cite a few examples? - Zimbabwe? China? Burma? Most of the Middle East? Even Russia, which under the murderous Putin is little better than it used to be under Communism? In these countries and many others, you face imprisonment and even death for so much as speaking out against the men in power.

On the other side of the coin, if you don't understand politics and believe most politicians off all colours are self-serving b******s who are just out for what they can get (and a lot of them are, no doubt about it), why should you be forced into supporting what you would probably see as a mockery of democracy?

But since you do have to vote or face a fine in Australia, why not either:-

educate yourself about politics and get behind the party that you feel most in sympathy with (there are plenty of minority parties like the Democrats and Greens, not to mention numerous independents),

or, if you can't face that, just go along on the day and spoil your ballot paper in protest?

Answer 4

The idea is that people who don't understand voting or politics will learn because they don't want to get fined, and also because a lot of people who know who they want to vote for and understand politics wouldn't vote if it wasn't compulsory, just because their too lazy.

Answer 5

Sorry, but if you are questioning our voting legislation you are already "into politics"

If you're old enough to vote, if you're old enough to post questions on Yahoo Answers, if you're old enough to question the neccessity of voting then you have no right to say I don't understand politics.

since you care enough to ask this question (and apparently twice) make it your duty to care enough to see how your country is being managed and who has decided that you should vote, who is deciding how much tax you should pay, how many hospitals there is in your area and what are your kids learning at school.

Politics doesn't have to mean joining a party and adopting their ideology, it's simple housekeeping and people are dying in other countries for their right to have a say.

Answer 6

I'd highly recomend voting firstly more people need to vote or we'll be stuck with john howard again and no one really wants that wether they are "into" politics or not. Secondly my sister took a stand and decided not to vote one year, when the fine came she refused to pay it resulting in eventually being arrested and "full body cavity" search. Keeps me voting that one!

Answer 7

You only get fined for not showing up, its up to you write on your ballot.
In any case don't you want to know who is representing you? And have a say in it? THey are the people who determine the
laws and rules governing your life. I think anyone who doesn't vote has no right to complain about there government.
And when you think about it, Australia's population is a little small to chance people not voting, don't you think?

Answer 8

if you are a Australian & over 18 you must vote if not you get a fine

do what a lot of people do just go in get your name ticked off get the paper & put it straight into the box

Answer 9

as long as you attend the and get your named marked of the register,they give you voting papers,go to a booth to fill them out.if you like you can leave them blank,fold them and place in voting boxes,of course you don't tell them you didn't vote.people write all sorts of expletives on there papers,hope this helps

Answer 10

First of all let me tell you that even on advanced democratic countries "RIGGING" and 'BOOTH CAPTURING" exists.
Citizens of Australia are fortunate that they can freely take part in the electoral process. Whenever something is made compulsory, it is human instinct to oppose it. You are electing your representative and please understand that if you donot vote you are NOT doing your duty. Please select the proper candidate and Vote !!