Strange Australian Voting Method

Started by Sabby, January 12, 2008, 05:55:38 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Sabby

Here in Australia, every now and then, the same thing will happen. When everyone goes into the booth and casts their vote, they simply draw something on the paper, (as you'd imagine, this equals a lot of cartoon boobs and penis') so, when the tally has been counted, everyone has gone on the recorded as having voted, but theres no way to tell who simply drew something and there fore did not vote.

I don't understand the purpose of it, but its kind of funny.

Humble Scribe

Isn't it because voting is compulsory in Australia?
The moving finger writes, and having writ,
Moves on:  nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.

Ons and Offs

Sabby

Theres a fine for not voting. I'm 19 and the election completely went over my head, so I had to pay the due for not voting. But whats the purpose drawing a penis on all the voting slips? I'm starting to think Australians are a little too layed back these days. *snickers* still, its funny.

kongming

It's a pretty small fine, though. Like, much less than a parking ticket, so if parking is going to be a real hassle on voting day, stick with the fine for not voting.

At any rate, our method isn't that strange.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.

Ons/Offs:
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=9536.msg338515

Elvi

I think, Sabbat, that the term used for this is 'protest'.
You don't want to vote, but you don't want to be fined for not voting, so you go along, spoil your ballot paper and don't get fined.
It's been fun, but Elvi has now left the building

Sabby

Now that would make some sense Elvi... I'm not too good at politics, so I wouldn't know why such a protest would take place. Eh, at least we got Rudd in, and a couple thousand cartoon breasts :D

SerpentKiss

I think I'd write the opening of a joke, just to annoy them, without giving them the punchline...

....until next year's vote

Lovebug

As a full paid-up strange Australian, I continue to be in favour of compulsory voting. If our government's crap, it's everybody's fault and not just because the weather was bad or what have you.

It also makes it very difficult for extreme points of view to get traction with the electorate, which is a Good Thing in that I would be unlikely to thrive in a theocracy.

HairyHeretic

Apparent a favourite method of spoiling the vote over here is to vote for Dustin the turkey, even if he's not on the ballet.

In case you're not familiar with Dustin, he's Irelands entry for the Eurovision this year (amongst other things).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7261164.stm
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

Trieste

Supposedly Mickey Mouse gets the most write-ins in US presidential elections. I heard that somewhere...

Mindhazingsquid

I wonder who gets the most Canadian votes?  Probably the "Natural Law Party" these days.  Ron Parker and his Yogic Flyers made an appearance just around the time I started being allowed to vote but have since vanished in the the anals of history, hah hah.

kongming

Quote from: mindhazingsquid on May 07, 2008, 11:59:15 AM
the anals of history

I think you meant annals. I wouldn't normally point out an easy typo, but in this case you used the word anal, so I think we really need to draw attention to it, for the sake of lulz.

Oh, I think "Good News Week" should run for maybe 6 weeks prior to every election. That way Australians will actually pay attention to what's going on in politics and make educated decisions.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.

Ons/Offs:
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=9536.msg338515

Mindhazingsquid

Yeah, I was making an intentional funny with anals and annals.  The Natural Law Party was so rediculous.  They were going to use Yogic Flyers to patrol Canadian skies among other things.  Yogic flyers being the guys who bounce around on their butts.

ShrowdedPoet

I'm American :( and I feel it very important to vote. . .but If I were Austrelian, I would still feel it very important to vote, but maybe I'd have some fun one year and draw and fat naked chick. . .*giggles*
Kiss the hand that beats you.
Sexuality isn't a curse, it's a gift to embrace and explore!
Ons and Offs