apparently I have to vote today.

creative · 08-09-2012, 11:32 AM

as the title says....

didnt even know there was an election on! and who am i suppose to be voting for as they have clearly done a good job of informing the public of who they are and what they do!

And If I dont want to... $55 fine. democracy my A*$e!

guess I will go stick the tail in the donkey!

StealthAu · 08-09-2012, 11:37 AM

I wonder how many elections you can not vote, receive the fine in the mail, fill out the section saying you did vote to avoid paying the fine, before they clue on that you are just full of it.

FPV+fteT3 · 08-09-2012, 11:39 AM

Yea'h funny thing was only talking to my dad about this yesterday been kept very quiet one could be excused for not even knowing an election of some muppets is on. I have not voted in over 20 years not going to start now it was a relatively easy process getting off the voting list.

DJR David · 08-09-2012, 12:20 PM

And yet people in some other countries are fighting to the death for the right to vote............

XRDeeze · 08-09-2012, 12:27 PM

you have the right to remain silent

**GasoLane** · 08-09-2012, 01:05 PM

Strange, I would have thought most local newspapers would have been all over it, both of ours have.

But I guess if you don't read newspapers...........

Moby Vic · 08-09-2012, 01:45 PM

In researching Australia for my trip, one of the most surprising and interesting things I learned was that you are required to vote.

One hundred percent participation is certainly an admirable idea, but making it compulsory diminishes it a little.

Over here we only vote if we feel like it, which obviously gives us mixed results.

JC807 · 08-09-2012, 01:53 PM

because its compulsory they only have to appeal to the lowest common denominator. If it wasn't compulsory and they knew they had to appeal to people who gave a chit, and not just the dumbbasses, the self serving dorks might actually have to do a better job.

Evgeni · 08-09-2012, 01:56 PM

I guess it is compulsory to turn up. Whether you vote or not, is another issue. Just remember though a donkey vote is a vote to keep the status quo.
Even this is flawed. Today I wasn't even asked to identify myself. A few years ago after I actually did vote, I received a fine in the mail saying I didn't vote. I wrote back saying, yes I did. End of story.

Moby Vic · 08-09-2012, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC807

because its compulsory they only have to appeal to the lowest common denominator. If it wasn't compulsory and they knew they had to appeal to people who gave a chit, and not just the dumbbasses, the self serving dorks might actually have to do a better job.

But I can't say our system is any better—typically the candidate who spends the most money campaigning wins.

You certainly have a different approach (the UK doesn't do that, correct?), and it's interesting to see how people feel differently about it.

Jim Goose · 08-09-2012, 02:08 PM

I really dont understand how people whinge about voting?

If you dont want to vote for anyone, show up, get your name off the list, fold the voting paper in half without voting for anyone and walk out.

As long as your name is crossed off the roll.. who cares what you do with the voting paper?

Quote:

And yet people in some other countries are fighting to the death for the right to vote............

exactly right. Sadly we have two issues here in this country.
1) a lack of decent candidates or parties to vote for.
2) a population who is largely ignorant about politics and who cant see the forest for the trees.

Evgeni · 08-09-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

But I can't say our system is any better—typically the candidate who spends the most money campaigning wins.

Least you guys have someone the majority voted for

Moby Vic · 08-09-2012, 02:11 PM

Not always!

You'd be surprised (or maybe you wouldn't) about how many Americans don't understand that we don't elect a president via popular vote. We have something called the Electoral College. A large number of us (not myself) thought it was invented in 2000.

creative · 08-09-2012, 02:34 PM

Don't get me wrong, I'm not whinging about voting, but its the lack of decent people to vote for. A quick search this morning shows not one candidate that addresses anything that remotely affect me.

Even more so the fact that not one candidate has been out their promoting themselves.

gtfpv · 08-09-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

I really dont understand how people whinge about voting?

If you dont want to vote for anyone, show up, get your name off the list, fold the voting paper in half without voting for anyone and walk out.

As long as your name is crossed off the roll.. who cares what you do with the voting paper?

exactly right. Sadly we have two issues here in this country.
1) a lack of decent candidates or parties to vote for.
2) a population who is largely ignorant about politics and who cant see the forest for the trees.

your absolutely right jim . COMPLACENCY AND APETHY .
the frog in the hot pot .

coupxb · 08-09-2012, 03:31 PM

yes it is a shame. We shouldn't force those worms who font want the right to vote and keep it for the civilized population.

mik · 08-09-2012, 05:16 PM

the worst part about voting is that the the facts are more often than not are presented to the voter in a way to get a cartain reaction, who ever does the best job at manipulating the facts ends up the winner, either way the poor average voter still ends up no more informed for the experience because pollies are masters of putting the facts they want you see in front ............and leaving pertinent facts buried in a thousand pages of jargon.

**supershifty** · 08-09-2012, 05:28 PM

I have never voted in my life for any government election. That is local/state/federal. I've been eligible to vote for the last 28 years - I refuse to. I disagree with the preferential voting system. I believe in "one vote, one value" I don't want my preferences going to another "preferred party". I can see how the preferential system works, and in theory I suppose it is fair - doesn't mean I agree with it. Majority rules in my case - one vote, one value!

I also disagree with the fact that you can be fined for not exercising your "right to vote" - that is just plain wrong!

I am led to believe that the preferential system does not apply to all elections in QLD - it's optional. In the tally of these votes though - a mix of preferential and "one vote, one value" Seriously!

I'm up for a flame on my opinion here. Change it!

Cheers!

ILLaViTaR · 08-09-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creative

as the title says....

didnt even know there was an election on! and who am i suppose to be voting for as they have clearly done a good job of informing the public of who they are and what they do!

And If I dont want to... $55 fine. democracy my A*$e!

guess I will go stick the tail in the donkey!

Informing the public costs them money whereas fining the public makes them money.

Ben73 · 08-09-2012, 05:41 PM

I don't care who I vote for, just as long as the greens are marked down last.

Yellow_Festiva · 08-09-2012, 05:45 PM

Radio has been advertising for weeks about voting, then there are the bloody mug shots on every corner and up every pole of the candidates.

I generally vote the day before... seems I'm always "flying interstate on business" on votoing day on the 6am flight... Beat the lines, and running the gauntlet of touts handing you disposable paper place mats on who to vote for.

I guess I'll get stuck if they ask what business I'm in...

Anyway, as others have already pointed out. You don't need to vote, just get your name ticked off.

Also, a person on the radio said that for a very long time he hasn't voted, he gets the fine in the mail then calls to say he did vote at X location. The time taken to investigate makes it cost more to follow up than the fine so they just take his word for it and drop the fine.

I don't mind voting actually. The local guy who I have met on a few occasions seems decent enough so he got my vote.

**GasoLane** · 08-09-2012, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

Not always!

You'd be surprised (or maybe you wouldn't) about how many Americans don't understand that we don't elect a president via popular vote. We have something called the Electoral College. A large number of us (not myself) thought it was invented in 2000.

The name 'Dubbya' comes to mind

As for those who don't vote, I hope you don't complain that whoever is in office is making a mess of things.

creative · 08-09-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Radio has been advertising for weeks about voting, then there are the bloody mug shots on every corner and up every pole of the candidates.

I dont listen to the radio much anymore...except RawFM and they dont do adverts!
The posters, i never look at them. just make my place of living look like a rubbish tip.

gtfpv · 08-09-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supershifty

I have never voted in my life for any government election. That is local/state/federal. I've been eligible to vote for the last 28 years - I refuse to. I disagree with the preferential voting system. I believe in "one vote, one value" I don't want my preferences going to another "preferred party". I can see how the preferential system works, and in theory I suppose it is fair - doesn't mean I agree with it. Majority rules in my case - one vote, one value!

I also disagree with the fact that you can be fined for not exercising your "right to vote" - that is just plain wrong!

I am led to believe that the preferential system does not apply to all elections in QLD - it's optional. In the tally of these votes though - a mix of preferential and "one vote, one value" Seriously!

I'm up for a flame on my opinion here. Change it!

Cheers!

as much as i respect your views , you have no right to voice your concerns or opinions as you let others decide how you live , and so ni assume you have no worries and should be happy regardless .

gtfpv · 08-09-2012, 08:57 PM

i would like to go to a pub with people who dont vote , im sure i could tell them that its thier shout all night . who's going to argue ?

Franco Cozzo · 08-09-2012, 11:22 PM

I'm not on the electoral roll, they gave up on sending me letters finally.

I don't like any political party and their policies so no point voting for anyone.

xtremerus · 08-09-2012, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I'm not on the electoral roll, they gave up on sending me letters finally.

I don't like any political party and their policies so no point voting for anyone.

How did they know to send you a letter, if you are not on the electoral roll??

Neale · 09-09-2012, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtremerus

How did they know to send you a letter, if you are not on the electoral roll??

Remember Big Brother is watching, they most likely know if you have a drivers licence. I got a letter from the Electoral Commission when I moved. I changed my address with the RTA for my licence & rego, then shortly after I got a letter reminding me to change my address with them aswell. Makes you wonder why they dont automatically do it anyway if they already know.

Franco Cozzo · 09-09-2012, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtremerus

How did they know to send you a letter, if you are not on the electoral roll??

They probably know because I've got drivers license, health care card and medicare card so I'm probably all over the system they kept sending out enrolment forms to my house.

So I reckon they know.

b0son · 10-09-2012, 05:04 PM

I attempted to vote, but was turned away. They said I was supposed to go to the school nearest my address, but it was only 5min til close, so wouldnt make it.