2016 Postmortem

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)

17. "When you have 95% of the people voting you know who is chosen is who the people want."

Sat Apr 28, 2012, 04:59 PM

Apr 2012

That's not necessarily true in a multi-candidate winner take all system.

For example, suppose that 60% of the population favor X and that there are 3 candidates running.

Candidates A and B support X and Candidate C opposes X. A & B could split the vote getting 30% each leaving
C with 40% and a victory.

In an example from the real-world note that many people argue that Ralph Nader 'cost Gore the election'.

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What do you think of mandatory voting, such as they have in Australia? [View all] pinto Apr 2012 OP

People who can't be bothered to study the issues and candidates Speck Tater Apr 2012 #1

Good point. Same day registration and vote-by-mail are 2 of my pet voting issues. pinto Apr 2012 #2

Actually, my family in Oz say that it trains people ancianita Apr 2012 #33

I'm for it as long as there are no prison sentences for people who don't vote bluestateguy Apr 2012 #3

Where do you get the idea that people go to jail for not voting? They're fined. ancianita Apr 2012 #35

I'm just thinking out loud (no sources or documentation, etc.) bluestateguy Apr 2012 #38

It Would Fix A Great Deal Of What Is Wrong With Our System, Sir The Magistrate Apr 2012 #4

Hi Mag. Good points. pinto Apr 2012 #6

Couple of other points (coming from an Aussie ex pat) Sheepshank Apr 2012 #31

I would think extending the voting period. BarbaRosa Apr 2012 #5

Having election day being a single normal working weekday certainly makes it harder for people PoliticAverse Apr 2012 #16

Exactly. Hence the reason it should be made a National Public holiday. End of story. vaberella May 2012 #45

Then get your State to do that...in states with voting via mail or drop off we get Bluenorthwest Apr 2012 #27

I am opposed to it. Curmudgeoness Apr 2012 #7

I would be vehemently opposed to a pre-test for voting rights. That said, pinto Apr 2012 #8

The reason I am leaning toward some simple test Curmudgeoness Apr 2012 #11

There is much, much history in this country regarding 'some simple test' at the polls. Bluenorthwest Apr 2012 #28

As long as "none of the above" is an electable candidate, I support it. saras Apr 2012 #9

I think the Australian system includes "none of the above" as a voting option. pinto Apr 2012 #10

and what happens if someone legally changes his/her name to "none of the above"? niyad Apr 2012 #19

What if someone changes their name to Barack Obama? You just don't let them get away with it saras Apr 2012 #23

I'd prefer "motivated" voting, instead. MineralMan Apr 2012 #12

I would prefer that stupid people who get drunk or just bloviate and don't bother MADem Apr 2012 #13

Penalty for not voting in Australia.... PoliticAverse Apr 2012 #14

I have close friend in Sydney area marlakay Apr 2012 #15

"When you have 95% of the people voting you know who is chosen is who the people want." PoliticAverse Apr 2012 #17

So don't use such a flawed system. God knows it's cost America our future... saras Apr 2012 #24

They do use IRV in Australia, it's true muriel_volestrangler Apr 2012 #37

absolutely against it. I refuse to cast a ballot if there is no suitable candidate. niyad Apr 2012 #18

How many ballots do you see that offer just one candidate and one race? Bluenorthwest Apr 2012 #29

They use paper ballots there too. MrSlayer Apr 2012 #20

Against it. n/t Daniel537 Apr 2012 #21

They have mandatory voting in Brazil. A young man/woman can vote secondwind Apr 2012 #22

paul weyrich would be against mando voting. chknltl Apr 2012 #25

Our powers-that-be are only powerful because people don't vote... polichick Apr 2012 #26

The US does not run a single election. The States do so. Each does so differently. Bluenorthwest Apr 2012 #30

In a real democracy the states would be required to have VERIFIABLE voting... polichick Apr 2012 #32

I'm totally for mandatory voting in America. Democracy -- use it or lose it. ancianita Apr 2012 #34

It would radically change American, and will never happen here. grantcart Apr 2012 #36

I think there should be steps taken before we ultimately go down this path... Drunken Irishman Apr 2012 #39

The 1st Saturday in Nov. may work better than what we have now, for a start. pinto Apr 2012 #40

Leaving it the 4th is not a problem. Just make it a national public holiday. It's that simple. vaberella May 2012 #44

I agree. Why isn't voting day a public holiday? It doesn't make sense. n/t vaberella May 2012 #43

Australia has conservatives who don't deny global warming, gave them universal healthcare Tiggeroshii Apr 2012 #41

You should have made this a poll. My opinion: I'm on the fence. vaberella May 2012 #42