In Australia You Get A $20 Fine If You Dont Vote I Think This Should Happen Here What Do Other Abs Think?

[gordiescotland1]

With the importance of the referendum coming up in Scotland every vote is critical and I strongly believe that this should happen in the UK with postal votes available for people who cant make it to the polling station what do abers think ?

[EcclesCake]

Sounds like a brilliant way to increase the number of spoilt votes.

[China Doll]

How would it be enforced?

[youngmafbog]

No, the UK is (sort of) a free country so if you do not want to vote you should not be forced to.

Of course if you dont vote then you cannot complain !

[retrocop]

That would seem like a "clutching at straws" measure by the yes voters if that was made a statute.

[Prudie]

Surely you only want people to vote who've actually put some thought into their choice. If you force everyone you might s well just pick a ticket out of a hat.

[aelmpvw]

i don't think the polling stations could cope with a 100% turnout

[Bazile]

How is it inforced in countries where voting is compulsory ?

[ludwig]

I think everyone should vote, but the idea of fining people for not voting is ludicrous.

It amounts to charging people £20 for the privelege of staying at home rather than having to trudge up to the polling station and spoil a ballot paper.

[vulcan42]

Wouldn't the fine take place after the voting has finished? if your name hasn't been ticked, or whatever they do, to indicate you've voted then the fine is sent out.

[youngmafbog]

We seem pretty good in this country at chasing people to the ends of the earth for anything not serious so I am sure we could easily bring the full force of the law (internationally) on these criminals.

[New Judge]

"...with postal votes available for people who cant make it to the polling station"

Postal votes now are available for anybody who asks for one. And it has led to widespread abuse in some areas.

I'd go along with compuslory voting if:

(1) It applied to everybody and no exceptions were made for "cultural reasons"

(2) Postal votes were only available for those who could show a genuine need for the facility

(3) Most importantly, every ballot paper (except perhaps for those asking a simple referendum question) included a "None of the above" option. In the event of "None of the Above" gaining the most votes then no councillor/MP/MEP would be selected. The election would have to be re-run, but only once. In the event of a second indecisive vote the people in that area would have to do without a representative until the next election was due.

[youngmafbog]

I wonder what happens if you have a postal vote and Pat nicks it ?

[youngmafbog]

And where would those areas be NJ ?

[ludwig]

..it was probably introduced by some party after a focus group revealed it had strong support amongst the very lazy.

[Bazile]

What criminals are you referring to ymb ?

[ToraToraTora]

No, silly idea, forcing people to vote is little better than not allowing them the vote. It is often said that democracy is hard won, and it is, democracy is the right to vote and the choice of whether to do so. By forcing people to vote you are saying "you are dam well going to have to choose whether you want it or not!". Personally I do not take a non voters political views seriously but I do respect their right not to vote.

[youngmafbog]

Criminals that dont vote.

[New Judge]

This item gives some details of around 50 areas where investigations took place, youngmaf:

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/may/23/police-open-inquiries-allegations-electoral-fraud-uk

This report from the electoral commission shows their findings and recommendations. In particular:

“Electoral fraud is not widespread across the UK and reports of significant fraud are focused in specific places in England, concentrated in a small number of local authority areas. We do not believe it is likely that fraud has been attempted in more than a handful of wards in any particular local authority area. We do not support introducing temporary restrictions or special measures”

The report goes on to list the areas considered most “vulnerable” (a strange choice of word) to electoral fraud. Following the list the report goes on to say:

“These areas are often characterised by being densely populated with a transient population, a high number of multiple occupancy houses and a previous history of allegations of electoral fraud. These areas are also often home to communitieswith a diverse range of nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. We have heard some strongly held views, based in particular on reported first-hand experience by some campaigners and elected representatives, that electoral fraud is more likely to be committed by or in support of candidates standing for election in areas which are largely or predominately populated by some South Asian communities, specifically those with roots in parts of Pakistan or Bangladesh.”

It goes on:

“Evidence from police data and prosecutions shows that people accused of electoral fraud and people convicted of fraud come from a range of backgrounds including white British, South Asian and other European backgrounds. It would be a mistake to suggest that electoral fraud only takes place within specific South Asian communities. We are, however, concerned about the extent to which electoral fraud affects or originates from within specific communities. The evidence and views we have heard raise significant questions about whether individuals within these communities are able effectively to exercise their right to vote, and whether they are able to participate in elections on the same basis as other electors across the UK.”

This is strong stuff from an organisation like the Electoral Commission. It tries to tone down its findings as much as it can, but there is no doubt what it is saying.

Following the revelations of the Rotherham scandal it was suggested that Asian (particularly Pakistani) type politics have spread to some areas of the UK. These involve bullying and intimidation of political opponents and there being only "one way" to run a particular organisation. I have particular knowledge of the situation in London's Tower Hamlets and there is no doubt this is true.

I suppose we must wait for fifteen years or so until the problem has become completely out of control, widespread and unaddressed before somebody will wake up and smell the coffee.


is no doubt in my mind about this.