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A comment on Australia’s new mass surveillance mandate. Parent comment

Re:Australia’s new mass surveillance mandate by Teever on Tuesday September 07, 2021 @10:27PM (#28452327)
I think that I would be okay with compulsory voting if there was a 'none of the above' option on the ballot. If "none of the above" wins the vote then all the people on that ballot are disqualified from running in any election for a period of time, say 10 years and there is a do-over on that particular electoral district election. I'd like to hope that would clean up politics real quick.
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Re:Australia’s new mass surveillance mandate by __d on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @02:35AM (#28453801)
In fact, you are not compelled to _vote_.

You must show up at a polling place (either prior to the election or on election day), and you must identify yourself to the polling officer, and receive a ballot paper.

You do NOT have to complete the paper: you can put it in the box untouched, you can write "screw you all" on it, etc.

So ... yeah, you are obliged to show up, but you don't have to actually vote.

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Re:Australia’s new mass surveillance mandate by notreallyhere00 on Tuesday September 07, 2021 @11:43PM (#28452762)
This is an option, it’s called an informal vote, and it’s counted towards the tally
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Re:Australia’s new mass surveillance mandate by sircastor on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @12:55AM (#28453193)
Rather than a “None of the above” option (though I do find your disqualification concept interesting) I prefer an “I abstain” option. Food requires a small amount of effort but an effort nonetheless. Every time a voter picks up the ballot, you hey are faced with the question “do I really have nothing to contribute here?”
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Re:Australia’s new mass surveillance mandate by SturgeonsLaw on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @04:43AM (#28454643)
Yeah, that happens. One of my close friends is disillusioned with the government, and usually just uses the ballot paper as a way to "politely share his thoughts on the matter" with whoever is unfortunate enough to read it. They don't verify that a vote was cast, just that you showed up.
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