YouGov survey - Obligation to vote

[Hibbyradge]

Would a kindly admin please amend the title to read YouGov, thank you.

YouGov's most recent survey was entirely about politics and was quite interesting, particularly compared to some of those about different brands and shops.

One of the questions was about people's obligation, or not, to vote.

It asked me to choose between

a. There's no point voting

b. People should only vote if they care who wins

c. It's everyone's duty to vote

It took me a few minutes to answer this. I doubt many Holy Ground posters would agree with a. so the question really is, should we oblige people to vote.

Given the low turnouts in elections over the years, option c., on the face of it, is quite attractive, and I almost automatically ticked that box.

However, if you don't care what happens, unless there's a "don't care" option on the ballot paper, why should people be forced to state a preference?

I imagine that, initially at least, changing the law in that way in the UK, would hack folk off to such a degree that they'd deliberately vote for daft parties and possibly skew the result.

It would also lead to an extra layer of bureaucracy in order to monitor voting and fine people for not doing so.

I know others feel differently and I'd be interested in their views.

Edit: I opted for b.

[Just Jimmy]

I think some people SHOULDN'T vote and it's in the public interest that they don't.

I would say option B.

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[CropleyWasGod]

I think some people SHOULDN'T vote and it's in the public interest that they don't.

I would say option B.

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What people should this be?

[Hibbyradge]

What people should this be?

Tory and UKIP voters :wink:

[Just Jimmy]

What people should this be?
people who don't bother to do some research prior to the election or referendum and simply vote based on how they always voted or what assumptions they make.



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[CropleyWasGod]

people who don't bother to do some research prior to the election or referendum and simply vote based on how they always voted or what assumptions they make.



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How would you monitor that?

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[danhibees1875]

How would you monitor that?

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Anyone who intends to vote differently from myself has clearly came to that conclusion via a lack of research.

As for the OP, B - just as we have it.

I don't think people should be forced to vote. We're privileged with the right to vote and it's great to have, but people should equally have the right not to vote if they wish.

[Speedy]

I wouldn't phrase it the way it is in the op but of the three I'd go for option B.

[SHODAN]

Make it compulsory to vote and put "none of the above" on the ballot paper.

Apathy towards the vote has led to some deeply unpopular governments who only propose policies favouring those likely to vote.

[Speedy]

Make it compulsory to vote and put "none of the above" on the ballot paper.

Apathy towards the vote has led to some deeply unpopular governments who only propose policies favouring those likely to vote.

What would the punishment be for not voting?

What happens if 'none of the above' wins?

[Mr White]

What would the punishment be for not voting?


It's currently a $20 fine in Australia. That's about £12.

It rises to $50 the second time apparently.

[SHODAN]

What would the punishment be for not voting?

What happens if 'none of the above' wins?

1. A fine.

2. "None of the above" won't count towards the tally.

[Pretty Boy]

Why should people be denied their democratic right not to vote?

[--------]

Last local elections the council here in Motherwell were actively discouraging people from voting.

The first sign to tell us where the voting station was was on the door of the very small section of the very large school they had closed for the day.

However, the walk round and round looking for the place did me good, and I got talking to lots of nice people who were equally as puzzled as myself.

Option C - with a space on the voting paper to vote for 'None of the above'. And a fifty quid fine for anyone too lazy to get out there. You can always organise a postal vote if you have a problem.

[High-On-Hibs]

Nobody should be forced to choose between different shades of turd that will be flung at them for the next several years. Rather than forcing people to turn out and vote, the political establishment have to get their act together and give people a reason to actually want to turn out and vote.

[--------]

Nobody should be forced to choose between different shades of turd that will be flung at them for the next several years. Rather than forcing people to turn out and vote, the political establishment have to get their act together and give people a reason to actually want to turn out and vote.


There's that, too. More folks would get out to vote or register to vote by post or online if the choice of candidate wasn't so bleedin' awful. :agree: