Guardian Prize Crossword 29577 Saturday...
Crosswords1 min ago
Compulsory voteing
It was suggested that voting should be made compulsory.
I don't think this would work, if people were made to vote, some would spoil their vote or in other ways sabotage the system, and how would it be enforced.?
Anyone got some good arguments for this as a means of raising the turnout?
I don't think this would work, if people were made to vote, some would spoil their vote or in other ways sabotage the system, and how would it be enforced.?
Anyone got some good arguments for this as a means of raising the turnout?
Answers
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Ruby I haven't worked out all the pros and cons fully but on balance I think mandatory voting would present a more true result. Something along the lines that it is ones civil obligation to vote rather than to be 'too busy' to make the effort or to 'not care because all politicians are variations of a bad lot'.
I live in a constituency where, barring a bibical miracle, the outcome is a foregone conclusion and as a consequence the turnout is a disgrace.
I live in a constituency where, barring a bibical miracle, the outcome is a foregone conclusion and as a consequence the turnout is a disgrace.
The current electoral system is one of the cornerstones of democracy.
I remember my father moaning at me because I opted not to vote as a teenager, and he rtold me that people had fought and died in the war to give me the vote. I replied that actually, people fought and died to give the CHOICE of whether or not I vote, and to take that choice away is to make the essence of freedom redundant.
If politicians are worried that apathy in the electoriate is growing, they should do more to engae the young voters, and make it apparent to them why choice is important.
The hoary old get-out that 'they are all the same' is increasingly valid - and that is the fault of the politicians, not the voting system.
Anyone who thinks that compelling people to vote will suddenly cuase an upsurge in thoughtful committed intelligent voters who carefully consider the arguments, manifestos and personalities involved, before they vote, is living in a dreamland.
I remember my father moaning at me because I opted not to vote as a teenager, and he rtold me that people had fought and died in the war to give me the vote. I replied that actually, people fought and died to give the CHOICE of whether or not I vote, and to take that choice away is to make the essence of freedom redundant.
If politicians are worried that apathy in the electoriate is growing, they should do more to engae the young voters, and make it apparent to them why choice is important.
The hoary old get-out that 'they are all the same' is increasingly valid - and that is the fault of the politicians, not the voting system.
Anyone who thinks that compelling people to vote will suddenly cuase an upsurge in thoughtful committed intelligent voters who carefully consider the arguments, manifestos and personalities involved, before they vote, is living in a dreamland.
I'm with Jack here. Excellent point.
In answer to your question, Ruby, I don't have a good argument for this as a means of raising the turnout, but one way to achieve that might be for politicians to gain the confidence of the electorate by doing the impossible in telling the truth and keeping their promises.
Apart from that, I feel that too many of our basic freedoms are being systematically destroyed and the state is becoming far too intrusive, so let's not add compulsory voting to the list. Personally, I do vote, but the choice whether to or not must be left to the individual.
Youravonlady, I too live in a constituency where the result is a foregone conclusion - thank goodness.
In answer to your question, Ruby, I don't have a good argument for this as a means of raising the turnout, but one way to achieve that might be for politicians to gain the confidence of the electorate by doing the impossible in telling the truth and keeping their promises.
Apart from that, I feel that too many of our basic freedoms are being systematically destroyed and the state is becoming far too intrusive, so let's not add compulsory voting to the list. Personally, I do vote, but the choice whether to or not must be left to the individual.
Youravonlady, I too live in a constituency where the result is a foregone conclusion - thank goodness.
Forced voting is fine - provided you just happen to agree with the two main Conservative and New Labour parties. But what about people like me who couldn't live with themselves if they were forced to vote Tory or New Labour? (The Lib Dems are not even worth mention). The whole idea of voting is that you vote for a party that represents your ideas. I know other people who don't vote as they have no party that represents their views and I guess many of the 50-60% of the electorate who don't vote at elections feel the same.
If I were forced to go to a polling station I would be one of the many who would prefer to spoil the paper. So what would be the point of wasting everyone's time and effort counting all the spoiled ballots? You couldn't force anyone to vote for just Conservatism or New Labour as you wouldn't then have a secret ballot and it would make a mockery of the principle of democracy.
It is my free and democratic right not to vote. The only people who agree with forced voting don't believe in that principle and obviously vote for one of the two main parties. Please realise that other people have different views to yourselves.
If I were forced to go to a polling station I would be one of the many who would prefer to spoil the paper. So what would be the point of wasting everyone's time and effort counting all the spoiled ballots? You couldn't force anyone to vote for just Conservatism or New Labour as you wouldn't then have a secret ballot and it would make a mockery of the principle of democracy.
It is my free and democratic right not to vote. The only people who agree with forced voting don't believe in that principle and obviously vote for one of the two main parties. Please realise that other people have different views to yourselves.
thanks for all the answers
I remain believing that compulsory voting whilst increasing some participation, would not be sufficiently beneficial to outweigh the downside. Its the you can take a horse to water but can not make it drink.
I think all the political parties could do more to engage those not currently engaged, and future voters. I have been a member of a party since I was 18 so am one of the converted. But, if I wasn't there hasn't been any overtures by any of the parties locally or nationally that I think I would have succumbed to if I was unsure about whether to vote or not.
I remain believing that compulsory voting whilst increasing some participation, would not be sufficiently beneficial to outweigh the downside. Its the you can take a horse to water but can not make it drink.
I think all the political parties could do more to engage those not currently engaged, and future voters. I have been a member of a party since I was 18 so am one of the converted. But, if I wasn't there hasn't been any overtures by any of the parties locally or nationally that I think I would have succumbed to if I was unsure about whether to vote or not.
Electing a government is a serious business and should be left to those of us who have an opinion on the matter.
Therefore it's a good thing that anyone who's daft enough to think 'they're all the same' and 'it won't change anything' are voluntary removing themselves from the electoral gene pool - that's right - it's a bit like the Darwin awards. Such people should not be forced to vote.
Therefore it's a good thing that anyone who's daft enough to think 'they're all the same' and 'it won't change anything' are voluntary removing themselves from the electoral gene pool - that's right - it's a bit like the Darwin awards. Such people should not be forced to vote.
I don't know about 'good' arguments, but here are some arguments in favour:
1) Ensures people make their feelings known.
2) Ensures power seeking opportunists don't take over (as they will if people don't bother to vote).
3) Ensures people participate in politics instead of leaving it to a power elite.
4) Ensures that people actually do something about issues they feel about, rather than just whine and whinge.
5) The right to vote has been hard won. People have been prepared to die or face imprisonment for the right to vote. In some countries today (e.g. Burma) this is still the case. We should use that right.
6) 'If voting changed anything, they'd abolish it' say the cynics. Well some countries have abolished it, and the people have been worse off for it.
7) Cynics also say 'Don't vote, it only encourages them', but this assumes a system where a government in power have legal control without popular consent. There are minority parties who wish to change this and ensure a government can't pass laws without asking the people in a referendum. One is free to vote for such parties, or to set a new party up.
1) Ensures people make their feelings known.
2) Ensures power seeking opportunists don't take over (as they will if people don't bother to vote).
3) Ensures people participate in politics instead of leaving it to a power elite.
4) Ensures that people actually do something about issues they feel about, rather than just whine and whinge.
5) The right to vote has been hard won. People have been prepared to die or face imprisonment for the right to vote. In some countries today (e.g. Burma) this is still the case. We should use that right.
6) 'If voting changed anything, they'd abolish it' say the cynics. Well some countries have abolished it, and the people have been worse off for it.
7) Cynics also say 'Don't vote, it only encourages them', but this assumes a system where a government in power have legal control without popular consent. There are minority parties who wish to change this and ensure a government can't pass laws without asking the people in a referendum. One is free to vote for such parties, or to set a new party up.
Im with Andy and Saxy, it's not exactly democratic forcing people to vote and choice is the cornerstone of democracy. I personally feel obliged to vote. Along with his father I believe women died to give me the right to vote and I would never not turn out to vote. I would rather turn out and create my own none of the above box, at least its making my feelings unknown instead of it looking like I had forgotten or not been bothered.
As for raising turnout I do think keeping people interested past that first time they are allowed to vote is the key. Now the hunting with dogs ban has been in place, I expect the turnout has fallen round here. It was the key issue believe it or not.
As for raising turnout I do think keeping people interested past that first time they are allowed to vote is the key. Now the hunting with dogs ban has been in place, I expect the turnout has fallen round here. It was the key issue believe it or not.
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