Should Voting in elections be made compulsory ?

[sam09]

In my opinion voting in elections should be made compulsory.

[sids]

What good would it do?

More votes would just take longer to count.

[sam09]

What good would it do?

More votes would just take longer to count.

Great sense of fun sids, but if you have to ask, maybe you lack the mental capacity to make your vote count.

[sids]

maybe you lack the mental capacity to make your vote count.

Probably, so tell us what the improvement would be.

[sam09]

Probably, so tell us what the improvement would be.

As most politicians would answer, I refer to my previous reply. (although I am not a politician).

[Rheghead]

Great sense of fun sids, but if you have to ask, maybe you lack the mental capacity to make your vote count.

Interesting thought there. How do you compulsory make people go and vote who genuinely do not have the mental/physical capacity to go down to the polling station? And should you go down the route of having a medical exclusion then how much will that cost? How do you draw the line medically to say this/that person is ineligible to vote? And what of the social divisions and stigmas will that sort of thing create?

And how will your compulsory votes be enforced? £50 fine or inprisonment and who will pay for that?

It is all a bit ugly if you ask me and a bit draconian in a liberal society that we hold dear or we aspire to become.

[sids]

If some people don't care who wins an election, what is the real effect of compelling them to mark a paper?

What is the benefit and to whom?

I don't think Sam has thought it through, as he's already failed to answer. I hope there isn't a problem with his mental capacity.

[sam09]

If some people don't care who wins an election, what is the real effect of compelling them to mark a paper?

What is the benefit and to whom?

I don't think Sam has thought it through, as he's already failed to answer. I hope there isn't a problem with his mental capacity.

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I would think sids that with all decisions we make in life, we research the best choice for us and make our decision accordingly.

[golach]

Interesting thought there. How do you compulsory make people go and vote who genuinely do not have the mental/physical capacity to go down to the polling station? And should you go down the route of having a medical exclusion then how much will that cost? How do you draw the line medically to say this/that person is ineligible to vote? And what of the social divisions and stigmas will that sort of thing create? And how will your compulsory votes be enforced? £50 fine or inprisonment and who will pay for that?It is all a bit ugly if you ask me and a bit draconian in a liberal society that we hold dear or we aspire to become.

Australia does not seem to have a problem with compulsory voting Rheg

[sids]

Australia does not seem to have a problem with compulsory voting Rheg

I heard Belgium has it too.

What are the effects and benefits?

[Rheghead]

Australia does not seem to have a problem with compulsory voting Rheg

Yes they do. Thousands are fined at elections, some pay, some refuse to pay.