Elections Everywhere Else

What's voting like in different countries? Well, for the countries that have the right to vote, it can be a totally awesome experience. It was an election year in the Philippines on one of my visits. My mother's entire province went out to their polling place, an elementary school, and it was a huge party. There wasn't a single person who COULD vote, that didn't. Every ballot was a paper ballot, and everyone's thumbs were blackened by "I VOTED" ink. It was fantastic. I thought, "Why couldn't it be a party like this for US too?" Voting is often viewed as a chore in the United States for some reason, a civil DUTY. Perhaps that's why young voters shy away from voting, it's just ANOTHER chore to do, there's a line without a fun roller coaster at the end of it, there's some planning required with registration, and there is early waking up involved.

Australia actually requires all citizens of age to vote, and if they don't there's a fee.

"What happens if I do not vote?

Initially the Australian Electoral Commission will write to all apparent non-voters requesting that they either provide a reason for their failure to vote or pay a $20 penalty.

If, within 21 days, the apparent non-voter fails to reply, cannot provide a valid and sufficient reason or declines to pay the penalty, then prosecution proceedings may be instigated. If the matter is dealt with in court and the person is found guilty, he or she may be fined up to $50 plus court costs.

If there's anything that will make young voters turn out, it's the threat of losing the little money they have. I was listening to NPR the other day, and a guest proposed that voter registration be automatic upon the age of 18. BRILLIANT! If the government found the 18+ population during Vietnam, they should be able to do THIS! Imagine the turn out if we fined people for not voting, and if there was automatic voter registration! Young voters would have the MOTIVE to go, and the extra step of voter registration wouldn't be a worry. Eh, maybe someday.