This is the kind of "logic" that makes me despair

[chickenfeet]

Hoon calls for compulsory voting.

This has to be right up there with "floggings will continue until morale improves".

Obviously this is a better "solution" than, say, an electoral system where every vote counts or on that allows a party to gain a majority of 100 with less than 40% of votes and when, anyway, those elected to prefer to lie about all the important issues rather than listen to what the electorate is saying.

There is a pretty strong correlation between how responsive the electoral system is and turnout. That's why the US and UK have such miserable turn outs.

Comments

[pigseatingfigs.livejournal.com]

Compulsory voting is a very good idea, providing the following conditions are met: postal (or some other form) voting is made available for those unable to leave their homes/attend a voting centre AND there is an option for 'Abstain' on the ballot paper.

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

There may be a good case for compulsory voting but advocating it as a means of reducing voter apathy suggests a severe inability to distinguish between cause and effect.

[australian-joe.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.

I'm quite the fan of compulsory voting, actually.

Yes, you can certainly get deliberately or accidentally spoiled votes which don't count, but the main reason I like it is that candidates don't have to spend any time or money on getting out the vote, which (in theory) both opens up candidacy to poorer players, reduces the power of special interests, means that no candidate can outright ignore any particular demographic, and means candidates spend a bit more time on substantive issues. (I said in theory. 8-/)