Quote:
Originally Posted by Aliantha
well, we have that law here, and it comes in the form of a fine if you don't vote, however, it is rarely put into force.
Also I'd add that if you have an obligation to vote but don't want to, you can always do a 'donkey vote' which is of course where you get your name marked off the list but don't vote for any one of the candidates.
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I have worked as a polling place staffer in Australia four times. Boring, but pays ok.
It is illegal to not turn up - the fine is $20 unless you come up with a plausible excuse.
It is illegal to
deliberately cast an informal vote (same fine I think) but it is criminal to try to find out how someone is voted, so you can vote informally with impunity. (Informal = ballot paper blank or otherwise not demonstrating a clear intention).
The "donkey vote" as I have always heard the term is where people number the candidates in the order they appear on the ballot. These votes are formal and so candidates can get extra votes if they are lucky enough to be first on the paper. When counting votes we find a fair few like this.
Some jokers like to get creative with their ballot papers; adding candidates, political spiels, sketches. This normally, but not always, makes them informal, but they're great amusement when we have to sort through and count the bloody things.
Now, about the US election process ...
I'm going to presume we've had that thread. Repeatedly.