Reply #31: Having originally come from Australia

[Sheepshank]

I see merits of required voter turn out. Of course, once one gets into that little voting booth, what they mark or do not mark on the card is a huge matter of choice. They have what's called "donkey" votes. In essence marking the ballot as to make it invalid...marking every candidate or no candidates.

So really the law merely requires everyone to show up at the polling booth, does not require a valid vote.

But of other significance is that people do tend to get resentful when mandated to do anything. I am then not as surprised that the effect is a population that doesn't seem as politically engaged as here in the USA. Voting to many is almost a chore.

Then there is the matter of a much smaller population so high turn out is essential.


eta almost forgot the OP...All citizens and legal residents of driving age should also be able to vote.