Voting: Could the system be any more stuffed?

[xtremerus]

Originally Posted by troppo

I think that is a rather simplistic view of a complex problem.

People who don't vote have just as much right as anyone else to have an an opinion or view on any given issue...the problem starts when neither party shares your view. Sure, you can vote for the greenies or an independant, BUT since we have a two party preferred system, what happens is your so-called 'valuable' vote is sold to the highest bidder in a preference deal, thus rendering your view worthless. Is it fair then, that one should be forced to cast a vote while knowing it will eventually support the opposing view? I consider abstinance both a form of protest and a means of retaining some small degree of integrity, in that no matter which team of clowns gets in, I didn't help put them there.

Your vote is only "sold to the highest bidder in a preference deal, thus rendering your view worthless", if you let them. In the Senate 'tablecloth' ballot paper if you cross a party above the line, it is accepted that you go along with their preference deal. Apparently most [95%?] do it this way.
Take the time and vote below the line, and it goes the way you what it to go. With compulsory voting this will always happen, as some voters just go through the motions to get their name crossed off, and the political parties play their silly games.
I always vote below the line on the Senate 'tablecloth'

[troppo]

Originally Posted by xtremerus

Your vote is only "sold to the highest bidder in a preference deal, thus rendering your view worthless", if you let them. In the Senate 'tablecloth' ballot paper if you cross a party above the line, it is accepted that you go along with their preference deal. Apparently most [95%?] do it this way.
Take the time and vote below the line, and it goes the way you what it to go. With compulsory voting this will always happen, as some voters just go through the motions to get their name crossed off, and the political parties play their silly games.
I always vote below the line on the Senate 'tablecloth'

While that is true, the end result is almost the same. The two party preferred system means the nominee with the least amount of votes is eliminated each round until only two remain. Generally, those two are the ALP and Liberals (because most voters are sheep), so even if you put them as the last two in order of preference, the odds are better than average that one will still get your vote.

[SB076]

Originally Posted by Force6

I say keep the inefficient pencil and paper voting, because each election I get paid ~$400 to sit around marking names off!

So your responsible for marking balthazarr name off three times

Obviously from the replies in this thread there are flaws in the system, therefore it needs to be rectified and I cant see why we cant vote over the internet. Think of the lost productivity, or loss of time that could have been spent enjoying life rather than standing in a queue having everyone give you a how to vote card, then throwing them all out and finally ticking or numbering some boxes

[AusM]

The system is rigged. Thousands of people don't vote properly and I still haven't seen the donkey get in!

[FGII-XR6]

this is true only for those too stupid to allocate their own preferences a preference deal in the house of reps is only the order they appear in the how to vote ticket. if you allocate the way you want to the preference deal is short circuited

Originally Posted by xtremerus

Your vote is only "sold to the highest bidder in a preference deal, thus rendering your view worthless",

[BIGJB]

Originally Posted by PFdesign

The system is rigged. Thousands of people don't vote properly and I still haven't seen the donkey get in!

Now for my 2 cents. Have never voted never been enroled never been on a census.

I live in a "democratic society" yet if I don't vote I get fined.
If I fail to pay the fine I get imprisoned.
Great democratic freedom we have in OZ.
I refuse to do anything with the govt that I can get out of.
My life and privacy is my own not thiers so f... em I say.
All a bunch of corupt lowlife scum only in it for what they can get themselves.

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by PFdesign

The system is rigged. Thousands of people don't vote properly and I still haven't seen the donkey get in!

Last time I checked Mickey mouse was polling better than Donkey, but there has been a big swing against Mickey in some marginal seats.

On a more serious note, the best advice ever given to me about the Australian Electoral system was "Just vote for the independant, that way he might get his money back"

[Bobman]

Anyone who thinks the Government cares about them is in fairy land

[deathlucky]

Originally Posted by 99GHIA

Now for my 2 cents. Have never voted never been enroled never been on a census.

I live in a "democratic society" yet if I don't vote I get fined.
If I fail to pay the fine I get imprisoned.
Great democratic freedom we have in OZ.
I refuse to do anything with the govt that I can get out of.
My life and privacy is my own not thiers so f... em I say.
All a bunch of corupt lowlife scum only in it for what they can get themselves.

come on man you have to be on the census its fun to bull it come on who did take it truthfully? who said there religion was jedi knight? who didn't say there hiding 50 Mexicans in a sweat shop in there basement? i couldn't be the only one.

is really surprised the mobs haven't cracked down and shut this thread yet