4th of July Hypocricy (was: OT Celebration)

From: Vance Dereksen <vance_at_ikickass.org>
Date: Thu Jul 5 20:05:48 2001

Responses inline:
On Fri, 6 Jul 2001, Geoff Roberts wrote:

> > 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 think that technically US citizens are required to vote. It is a civic
duty, at least.

> > 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.

Here in the US, that crowd usually doesn't even bother showing up. I vote
regularly, but if there is no one I would like to vote for in a particular
race, I will not vote for anyone on that particular race.

> 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.

I don't know if you can take anyone in with you here, but I have a feeling
you can. A lot of people take their kids in. We have to present ID,
usually a voter registration card or a drivers license. I usually present
the former.

Peace... Sridhar

> Cheers
>
> Geoff in Oz
>
Received on Thu Jul 05 2001 - 20:05:48 BST

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