Yes, you are correct, Sue Ellen. Voting in Australia is compulsory. When you turn 18, or become naturalized if you are an immigrant, you register at the Electoral Office, and then you HAVE to vote at every election - Local council, State, and Federal until you are over 75 (I think), then it is optional. They cross off your name, at the voting booth, when they give you the voting paper. If your name is not crossed off you get a please explain letter, and a fine! If you are away, you can vote beforehand with a Postal Vote, or you can do an Absentee Vote.
It is Not 'first past the post' voting, either. You have to allot preferences - so every box has to have a number in it. 1 for your first chioce, 2 for second, etc. One Senate Ballot we had something like 85 candidates, so had to number every box!!! Don't ask me more about Preferential voting - I really don't understand it at all!! I just know who I prefer the most, and who the least, and number accordingly!! I means that candidates with fewer votes can win the election with votes from 2nd or 3rd, or 4th preferences. - A daft way, but there.........!! from Liz in Melbourne, Oz, [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
