# Compulsory voting? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 2, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727 "2008-11-02T15:48:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/21 "2008-11-02T20:27:29Z")
> [@Mr.Frink](#): > > Yes, freedom to me means freedom to NOT vote if you don’t want to. Plus, as others have mentioned, I don’t want uninformed, uninterested people voting. Things are bad enough as it is! That same freedom also means that those uninformed, uninteresting get to vote if they want. They can also “give” their vote to someone who does care, by taking a marked up voting guide or a list in with them. That’s _real_ freedom, imo. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/22 "2008-11-02T21:01:01Z")
> [@TheLoadedDog](#): > > Hmmm.. yeah naah kinda. The problem, as I see it in this example, is that wanting to vote Green but being unable to, and therefore staying home, the Greens might then say, “Oh, that’s just the background level of couldn’t-be-arsedness”, whereas by having a bunch of people like yourself get down to the booth and still not indicate a preference, the Greens might think, “Hey, we mighta fucked up here. We’d better look at fielding a candidate in that seat next time.” So, it’s sending a message not just to the candidates but also to the potential ones. I don’t know quite why, so I apologise for not presenting a counterargument, but this does seem like a rather weak defence of the system. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/23 "2008-11-02T21:23:04Z")
I don’t know about penalties for _not_ voting, but how about a few priviledges _for_ voting? Say, front of the line at the DMV and the security checkpoint at the airport. Reduced parking ticket fines? Sounds good to me. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/24 "2008-11-02T21:25:23Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > My understanding is that in New Zealand voting is compulsory for all residents, not just citizens. When I lived there in the 1980s, I voted in elections, even though I was a US citizen. It wasn’t compulsory when I lived there in the 1990s. There’s a general election in New Zealand this Saturday (8 November) and voting is not compulsory. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/25 "2008-11-02T21:50:32Z")
In Perú voting is compulsory. Not voting carries a fine and you cannot -at least in theory- sign legal contracts, cash cheques, renwe your driver’s license or anything like that. Furthermore, the people manning the polling stations (“mesas de votación”) are selected by draw and prticipation is also complusory. The fine is double. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/26 "2008-11-02T22:03:18Z")
If [these guys](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cle20lQg0Qs&feature=related) ask me to vote, I’m gonna vote. 😉 I love that dance, and I wanna do it. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/27 "2008-11-02T22:20:13Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > If [these guys](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cle20lQg0Qs&feature=related) ask me to vote, I’m gonna vote. 😉 > I love that dance, and I wanna do it. I could have watched the whole minute of just seeing the faces on the other team. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/28 "2008-11-02T22:46:46Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > My understanding is that in New Zealand voting is compulsory for all residents, not just citizens. When I lived there in the 1980s, I voted in elections, even though I was a US citizen. > [@Cunctator](#): > > It wasn’t compulsory when I lived there in the 1990s. There’s a general election in New Zealand this Saturday (8 November) and voting is not compulsory. [QUOTE=Elections NZ website] Basically, you are qualified to enrol if: ``` * you are 18 years or older * you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and * you have lived in New Zealand for one year or more without leaving the country ``` There are some restrictions. These are listed on the enrolment form. You can pick up the form called “Enrolling to vote: Application” from your nearest New Zealand PostShop which you can fill in and leave at the counter or send back freepost. Or, phone us free on 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or send your name and address to Freetext 3676, and we will post the form out to you. [/QUOTE] Enrollment is compulsory but voting isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/29 "2008-11-02T23:02:46Z")
They have it in Brazil, and my band’s drummer’s brother’s band says: [Vote Em Branco!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ku-pzLGR0) (or is it Vote Nulo?..I don’t know Portuguese) ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/30 "2008-11-02T23:04:02Z")
If you’re a New Zealand resident, and vacation in Berkeley, Californis, USA, you must wait a year to enroll? I can see why, but I’m surprised you know us that well. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/31 "2008-11-02T23:17:42Z")
“Compulsory” just always sounds bad. Unless in a BDSM context…🆒.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/32 "2008-11-02T23:33:21Z")
> [@Oregon\_sunshine](#): > > “Compulsory” just always sounds bad. Unless in a BDSM context..🆒.:eek: If that was meant to titillate, it worked. :eek:🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/33 "2008-11-03T00:58:03Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > They have it in Brazil, and my band’s drummer’s brother’s band says: > > [Vote Em Branco!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ku-pzLGR0) > > (or is it Vote Nulo?..I don’t know Portuguese) Null voting used to be the way to punish politicians in Venezuela, then the party delegates at the voting tables started splitting the null votes and that made null votes a bad move. Back to abstention. ---
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/34 "2008-11-03T01:06:13Z")
The best reason against compulsory voting… John Howard! ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/35 "2008-11-03T01:15:19Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > For ten years I voted in every election I could, local, UK and European. I’ve not voted in the most recent local one, and may well not do so in the next general election. It’s a concious, reasoned and deliberate decision - don’t assume otherwise, nor is it wise to automatically disregard my stance as a minority of miniscule proportions. I based my opinion on the conversations I’d had with a number of people in the past who’d volunteered the information that they didn’t vote, or didn’t normally vote. To be honest, you’re the first person I’ve personally encountered who has made that as a conscious, reasoned decision. You’ve peaked my curiousity: may I ask you to summarize your reasoning for this decision? ---
**Author:** ![firstname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ab992/32.png) [@firstname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/firstname)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/36 "2008-11-03T01:25:49Z")
In my experience they never seemed to interested in following people up, Its more of a threat then an actual reality. Plus its only a $20 fine, if you have a good reason, and the Northern Territory won’t even bother to do that. > **[Frequently asked questions](https://www.aec.gov.au/FAQs/)** > **[ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)](https://www.abc.net.au/news)** > > Trusted and independent source of local, national and world news. In-depth analysis, business, sport, weather and more. ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/37 "2008-11-03T02:36:55Z")
Support for compulsory voting runs at about 75%, so no need to get one’s knickers in a twist. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/38 "2008-11-03T02:48:19Z")
In Australia, is it compulsory to vote for ALL offices on the ballot? I mean, on our ballot in California, we’re not just voting for president, or even for congressman. There’s an office of the local water board on the ballot in my district, and I have not a clue about any of the candidates – there hasn’t been a single mention of this race in any medium. I’m thinking about not voting in this race. Would this be against the law in Australia? Ed ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/39 "2008-11-03T03:14:04Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > In Australia, is it compulsory to vote for ALL offices on the ballot? In Australia we have a three-tier government structure: - Commonwealth (i.e. federal) parliament; - state parliaments; and - local councils. When we vote, it’s only for members of these bodies. We don’t vote for public administration officials or judicial officers. At federal and state elections there would normally be two ballot papers, one for each house of parliament. At local elections, there would generally be one or two ballot papers, depending on how the council is organised. In my local council, for example, we not only elect councillors, but also directly elect the mayor. So at any election you’d normally be talking about having to complete only one or two ballot papers. Voting is just a matter of numbering the squares in your order of preference for the candidates: [example of ballot paper for the federal parliament (House of Representatives](http://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/How_to_vote/Voting_HOR.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727/40 "2008-11-03T03:28:44Z")
> [@Mr.Frink](#): > > Yes, freedom to me means freedom to NOT vote if you don’t want to. Plus, as others have mentioned, I don’t want uninformed, uninterested people voting. Things are bad enough as it is! But voting being compulsory seems to encourage more people to be informed and involved, so that their vote is meaningful. I’m all for it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsory-voting/470727.md?page=3)