Karsten Hilbert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > In Australia, you also have to register to vote, > ... > > it is compulsory to register (if you are eligible - of age and a > citizen) > ... > > Furthermore, if you are registered on the electoral > > roll, it is compulsory to vote, ... > > WTF !?! You mean to say you don't have the right to not vote ?
No, you must vote. Of course, there is nothing stopping you from voting informally (that, marking the ballot paper in such a way that the vote is invalid, or even just leaving the ballot paper blank) - and ballots are of course secret so there is no penalty for voting informally. However, it is illegal to incite or encourage others to vote informally. Typically the proportion of informal (invalid) votes is well under 5%, often under 1%. But you must turn up at a polling place on election day and have your name marked off, or make arangements to vote by postal ballot beforehand, or provide a valid excuse (such as severe illness) why it was impossible to vote on the. Vote is regarded as a responsibility. The whole system works very well. Tim C
