4th of July Hypocricy (was: OT Celebration)

From: Geoff Roberts <geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au>
Date: Thu Jul 5 19:35:37 2001

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Davis" <jimdavis_at_gorge.net>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2001 3:43 PM
Subject: Re: 4th of July Hypocricy (was: OT Celebration)


> I think the most offensive law in Oz is the requirement that all
citizens vote.

Mixed reaction to that here. At least the govt is elected by virtually
all of the eligible voters.
It's mildy amusing that less than half of eligible voters in US
elections actually bother to vote.

> I do have a question, you have to show up to the polling place, is it
required
> that you ACTUALLY vote for anyone on the ballot?

You must attend a polling place, and have your name crossed off. You
are handed ballot papers, initialled by the issuing officer,
theoretically, you can stick them straight in the ballot box and walk
out. If you do proceed to a booth,
don't mark the papers, and place them in the ballot box, that's ok too.
This means an informal vote,
but since you didn't want to vote anyway....
Basically, the law is so that people will show up to vote. What they do
then is up to them, but most people take the attitude that since they
are there, they might as well vote.
They are talking about requiring people to show id for the next
election, instead of just telling them who you are, which is the case at
the moment.
But you don't get an electoral official looking over your shoulder,
though tou can ask for someone to accompany you to the booth to ensure
that your vote is correctly filled out if you wish, can be anyone over
18, not necessarily an official.

Cheers

Geoff in Oz
Received on Thu Jul 05 2001 - 19:35:37 BST