Don't want to vote? Pay the price

I’ve just turned 18 years old and barely understand the voting system, let alone politics or anything like that… And to be honest, I really don’t care either.. I think I’ll just pay the damn fine.

I thought the offenders were only put through the courts if they chose to contest the fine after their reason was rejected. Otherwise it was a fine in the mail with payment details. Maybe I was misinformed..

“Especially interesting was the Chief Magistrate’s comments that those most likely to not vote are Australians. People from overseas apparently relish the opportunity to vote.”

I didn’t realise tourists were allowed to vote in Australian elections. 😉

taco said :

I believe I should have the right to abstain from voting if I so choose.

Only politicians are allowed to abstain from involvement in a vote, citizen.

…there are people in other countries, less fortunate than our own lucky country, who would give their left arm…hell probably their left leg too…for the privilege to vote. Do the old donkey vote if that’s what you want but don’t think you have the right to complain about how one single thing in this country is run if you don’t at least get off your arse and vote to try and make a difference…morons.

p1 has a point. We don’t have compulsory voting, we have compulsory attendance. If you don’t want to vote, just take your ballot and throw it in the bin. With pre-poll, postal, absentee voting and elections held on a Saturday, it’s pretty easy to do your civic duty.

Dragging 500 people people through the courts for not voting is a waste of resources and everybody’s time.

While I agree, f there was no fine type arrangement, then we would end up with de-facto non-compulsory voting. Which personally I am against, but like I said, feel free to get it changed…

I believe I should have the right to abstain from voting if I so choose.

Dragging 500 people people through the courts for not voting is a waste of resources and everybody’s time.

If you don’t want to vote, there is nothing stopping you from getting your name marked off (pre-poll of on the day) then not writing anything on the paper.

If you have intentionally not voted, or been too lazy, well then that is why there is a fine. Don’t like compulsory voting? Then get the law changed.

Ralph said :

Chief Magistrate Ron Cahill noted that most of the people charged appeared to be Australian born.

1) Irrelevant; and

2) A racist comment, in my opinion.

It’s only racist if you assume there’s only one race of Australians. The irony…

And irrelevant? Come off it.