In Australia,  you can always spoil your vote, but if you don't turn up to vote, you can be fined.
218127
There is no problem with compulsory voting in a democracy. A democracy is not a state of unmitigated freedom. There have to be social rules and laws for any form of government. Without compulsory voting, you get the mess we have in the USA, where one party has deliberately set out to take power away permanently from the other party. Unfortunately for them, they chose a stooge for a leader and it's all about to fall apart.
424544
great question...i would say voting for the wrong reason, that seems like the more 'active' evil as opposed to the more 'passive' not voting
422501
this is called "the punish vote". You know both are trash candidates, but there´s a slight difference between them that makes you vote for the least repugnant. \nI did this in the past elections.\nBut i´m thinking that supporting the "splinter" party is not throwing our votes away, it´s a form of "manifesto" in which the "social power" that we as citizens have, demand more respectful and honorable candidates for a country, that at the end, leads the way through history.
377192
Only an Australian citizen is allowed to vote.
106768
In the end you only have one vote regardless of your political affiliation.  People who don't vote are the weak ones.
512356
It's counted as a normal vote because it is a normal vote. It's just a different method of voting.
393821
The longer they take before an election, the more likely they are to mess up and take themselves out of the competition. Not so very bright.
652500
Look at their voting records and vote accordingly.  However, make sure whomever you are voting for won't be worse.
124598
I vote, but I live in the U.S.  In my opinion voting is definitely important.  I also think that people that don't vote should not run their mouths about who is currently in office because had they taken the time to go vote they may have been able to sway the outcome of the election.
501295
of course. I cant complain if I dont vote.
184695
yes, it is crazy but the reason it's tolerated goes back to lack of education.  No one really watches things anymore, a good portion of people no longer vote, and when independants have a hard time getting elected because the Democrats and Republicans have fixed the laws in many states that require thrid party canidates to get twice as many signatures to get on the ballot as a republican or democrat has to get.  Add to that that people fall into a habit and vote one side or the other simply because the person is of the party they've voted for for years.  Factor in double standards and that things that would get a democrat lynched a republican can do with no harm no foul and you divide people against using the power that they have under the constitution to alter the government to help fight against corruption...it gets depressing at times to be sure but it's not irreversible.
200473
No, it's not mandatory. No consequencies if you don't vote.
643851
Do your civic duty, it's the price of being able to vote.  You might not be chosen anyway.
541701
If the state is prepared for you to fight on its behalf it ows you the decency of respecting your opinion. Of course you should have a vote.
199013
I think that some young people do not want to vote because they find voting being meaningless but yet, they are the ones who complain a lot about the government. I believe that if you do not vote, DO NOT Complain on what is happening where you live.
433056
When you break the law, you show your disdain for organized community and the rules that govern it. Voting is a priviledge, not a right, and a person who has no regard for the laws or statutes doesn't deserve the right to have a say in them.\n\nEdit: Jaywalking doesn't make you a felon.
378500
Yes, b/c that gives you the right to bitch about stuff.  I hate when people complain about who's in office.  When you ask them who they voted for, they always come up with some excuse about not being able to get out to the polls or not being able to b/c they aren't registered voters.  \n\nIf you don't vote you loose your rights to complain.  That's why I'll be out there later today.  Vote!!!!!