To think that voting should be compulsory, with a £1000 fine for failing to cast your vote.

[HecatesTwopenceworth]

Bloody voter apathy drives me crazy! If you don't vote you have no right to moan about the state of things. 17.5% turnout in Salford.

17.5%

Outrageous.

I think that voting should be compulsory, but there should be an additional box on the form to allow you to abstain, if you do not wish to give any of the candidates your vote, and that you have longer to vote - so there are sessions over several days, to allow people time to vote around their commitments.

But not voting should not be an option imo, even if your vote is I Wish To Not Vote (cos you're all bastards)

Go on. Hit me...

Totally agree Hecate, we are lucky to live in a country which is a democracy where we can all vote. It makes me really angry that people just can't be bothered to take 10 minutes out of their day once every 2-3 years.

I agree with you.

There should be polling stations in the local supermarkets, bus stations and doctors. And they should get text / email voting properly off the ground too. That would help.

Voting is compulsory in Australia, with a fine if you don't vote without good reason (although not as much as £1000). Turnout is usually pretty respectable.

I hate voter apathy. Agree with Bratnav - it takes 10 minutes. Even if you spoil your vote as a protest, you should make the effort.

I also don't think postal voting should be allowed unless absolutely necessary (armed forces, out of country etc). It is far too open to fraud, and again, it takes no more time to actually go to the polling station in most cases than it does to go to the post box.

I find it amazing that it is not compulsory to vote here. If you don't vote then you have no right to complain. it's a $70 fine in Australia if you don't vote (some people are execpt of course). I vote and I have been here only 3 years but my vote will affect what happens to ME.

Will employers give people paid time off work to vote?

YANBU - I completely agree..

I totally agree.

Polling stations are open from 7am till 10pm so employers don't need to give you time off. Can also register for postal votes or proxy voting.

turnout will be even worse next week after the expenses row.

text or email would just lead to even more opportunities for fraud - and it's wide open as it is thanks to Blair's repeated attempts to encourage people to vote. The political classes just don't understand that they turn people off. OK, some can't be bothered, but far more are just fed up with the lot of them, even before the latest revelations.

I DO vote because I hear my mother and godmother and ancestors telling me people fought and died for my right to vote. But I don't think anyone should be co-erced into voting. And this is exactly the wrong time to attack the electorate, for heaven's sake!

cross posts dweezle

Some people postal vote due to illness etc but then they also have early voting as well. It is good that everyone has the opportunity to vote.

Out of curiosity, are people in prison allowed to vote in the UK? They are not allowed to in Australia.

I like to choose whether I vote or not, I really do not want to be forced to vote or be fined

I would like a box that states - all of the above are rubbish so I have to tick this box instead.

Both DH and I do postal votes as it makes life so much easier. I agree that you have absolutely no right to complain if you don't vote. However, I don't think I'd go as far as fining people.

I vote as, like edam I feel that people fought and died for my vote.

I would agree if people were still given the option to vote by post - or better still - somehow work out a system for email/phone/text voting.

Yes the polling stations are open from 7 til 10 but that can still be problematic for some people. What about a single parent for example who would find it very difficult before dropping their children to nursery and then after nursery has two exhausted children who they need to get home...then once the children are in bed cannot leave the house?

So YANBU but people need to be given more flexibility.

Well, I disagree!

You should not be forced to vote if there is no manifesto that you agree with.

BUT, If you do not vote, keep your gob shut about the state of the country. You have no right to complain if you are not voted IYSWIM

Prisoners are not allowed to vote in the UK - but I think the European courts of human justice are looking to change it as they feel voting is a basic human right.

I rarely "formally" vote as I never feel there is anyone that really represents my views, however I do spoil my ballot paper so have exercised my right to vote, even if I haven't actually cast a vote IYKWIM.

well I have 2 small DCs, and I'll just take them with me the week after next.

You do have the option to do postal votes peppapig.... I do! It was very easy to sort out.

ERM - in my OP I did say that as part of compulsory voting there should be the option to abstain.

I agree that people can't complain if they haven't cast a vote and always try and vote. On a couple of occasions, however - just after my DD was born for example - I have totally forgotten and I am someone who feel strongly about it so YABU and YANBU.

agree totally.

Although I am bothered that people vote on such silly issues and don't consider the bigger picture. So maybe you should have to pass some sort of competency to vote test first (hmm - that doesn't really fit with the original idea does it ?)

i also feel very strongly about this!!

Women died so we could have the vote and then people don't bother voting!!

Grrr...

I did read it properly, and I gave my answer - no to forced voting and yes to a box which states all the above are rubbish.

Sorry you didn't understand my ramblings - wanders of to make toast