voting/ballot papers

[Ashu]

The question really isnt whether or not such an option should be provide (it should be)

The question is what to do with those votes & what should be done if the total of those votes outweighs all the other votes for parties/candidates.

Which is a much harder question to answer.

I just said it in my post above.

[~[ Greased Gerbil ]~]

the poiont is your making a statement by saying "i want to vote but not for any of you"

The only point your making is that you couldn't be bothered running as a better alternative; and if you don't think you're a better alternative, you have no right to judge the suitability of the candidates that put themselves forward for popular approval.

You could have a "None of the above" option. But all that would happen is that the government would be formed from the party who gained the majority of votes/seats from voters who bothered to evaluate the candidates and make a choice.

[Londo Mollari]

a vote of no confidence...lol

poiont is your making a statement by saying "i want to vote but not for any of you", where as not voting is taken as a sign that you couldn't give a crap about voting or your to lazy to tear yourself away from the square thing in your front room....or other such excuse/s.

your making a statement...but nobody cares, do you think politicians really care about that?

not voting is often stigmatised, but its perfectly valid, forcing people to vote is stupid, if you dont want to vote (be it laziness, lack of anyone worth voting for or w/e) then you should be free to do so

your right to complain about government policies is however forfeited

as it stands, spoil your paper if you want to "send a message/make a statement"

[MEZZANINE]

I went for 'don't vote, but i would if this option was on the ballot paper'

For the simple reason that the political animals always say the non-voters are either lazy or undecided, not true, Im in a 3rd group that simply doesnt want any of the options on offer



On a more general note, voting and democracy dosent work, or to be more accurate it works as a form of peace keeping by deluding people into thinking they have a measure of control over way things are run, but it doesnt work as a method of giving people the control they think they have.

A true democracy would have proportional representation, and referendum on all major decisions, but that wouldnt work either because although it would give people the power, most people are to stupid and selfish to make the right decisions, they would simply vote for what benefits them, their families and friends the most in a very short sighted way.

[Thriller]

Voting is more symbolic than substantial but that does not mean its not an important. Because it represents an idea.(that people are capable of governing themselves)

Ideas are what change the world.

Thats why discussing them is so important... the more good ideas in circulation the better the world will become.

[Mister Sandman]

Actually voting is compulsory if you over 18 and registered in Australia.


When you get a job you have to register to vote.

I.e You dont have to vote while you are unemployed. Unless you are already registered.


However, you can easily just hand in a blank paper.