Yes, they would. They derive their legitimacy from the millions of voters voting for them. If it is just hundreds of thousands, their legitimacy is gone.
I control exactly one vote. That one vote doesn’t matter.
No, it’s a right. And if they make it compulsory, they take away that right.
I believe one has the option of not voting, but one has to submit a No Vote … ballot? They do have to vote for one of the candidates.
It’s a responsibility.
I prefer the word duty. If you have a sense of duty, it’s what you do. That’s why I do it. And if someone doesn’t have that sense of duty, well shame on them, but nobody but yourself can make you do what’s right.
Yes, you are right, that is the better word.
Again, if it’s a “duty” then it’s not a “right”. So, if you’re in Australia, they took away your right to vote.
Sorry but this does not make sense to me. It’s not a “responsibility” if it’s mandatory. And if I have to choose one of the candidates then I don’t have the option not to vote…
I agree, that mandatory voting makes it an obligation, like taxes. And, what is the penalty for not voting? A fine? Then, in fact, it is a tax on not voting. Ugh.
I always vote but if I honestly didn’t have a preference between candidates or wasn’t informed enough about a particular ballot initiative I wouldn’t feel a strong moral compulsion to vote just to vote.
A right is something you are entitled to. A duty is something you owe, an obligation. I think Australia goes too far, but I think citizens owe this duty either way, whether they pay when asked or of their own volition. Voting is the duty of a citizen.
There are often ways that voting for a third party candidate will do good which go beyond the specific election you’re voting in.
One example is ballot access. Many states have rules which say for a statewide candidate (e.g. presidential electors, governor, senator, attorney general) to get on the ballot they must collect a very large number of signatures unless a candidate of that party polled over some significant but not impossible percentage, usually around 5%, in a recent statewide election.
While there may be no chance that the candidate you vote for wins the election, you may be saving his party hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in ballot drive costs for future elections which can be better spent on other candidates, ballot initiatives, etc. just by helping him hit that 5%.
I prefer having a right to vote. YMMV.
That’s the beauty of it. Shirking your duty is your right.
Some employers make it difficult to vote. I work 12 hour shifts. 7 until 7. The polls are open from 08:00 until 20:00. If I’m on a day shift, the slightest delay in the evening means I can’t vote.
Non-resident of the UK too long so ineligible for a postal vote. Non-Japanese are not allowed to vote here, not even in local elections, not even with permanent residence which I have. Boo.
I am very sorry, I misspoke - I believe in Australia one does NOT have to vote for a candidate, but one does have to actively NOT vote. (I really thought someone would have corrected me by now …)
I don’t think “duty” and “right” are mutually exclusive. In the US, every person has the right to a basic education, and a duty to become educated.
How do you actively not vote? What is the penalty if you don’t? Anyone know?
If your vote doesn’t count for anything then how could it hurt if you “vote for the wrong thing”? That’s the contradiction.