There’s a fine for not voting, yes. I think it varies by the “level” of the election, but it’s like, $150 at most…
But then you can send back a “reasonable excuse” why you couldn’t vote (i.e. I was away/sick/whatever), and they’ll usually let you off (at least first time), which is what I did, when I was interstate from my electorate during Rona…
But I honestly think it’s more the principle of it being mandatory, and the threat of punishment, rather than anyone, say, being actually arrested or summoned to court for not voting…
It’s a genuine cultural thing. If you admit, publicly, that you didn’t vote, you’re seen as a “rebel”, or a bit of a weirdo/outcast, and/or “shamed” a bit, like “Well you shouldn’t get to complain/have a say in community affairs, then!”
I’m not sure that’s quite the same elsewhere, at least in the level of shame directed at avowed “non-voters”, but then, we don’t have “get out the vote” campaigns, so much as “remember you MUST vote” campaigns, so that’s… An interesting cultural quirk/difference, if nothing else!
There’s a fine for not voting, yes. I think it varies by the “level” of the election, but it’s like, $150 at most…
But then you can send back a “reasonable excuse” why you couldn’t vote (i.e. I was away/sick/whatever), and they’ll usually let you off (at least first time), which is what I did, when I was interstate from my electorate during Rona…
But I honestly think it’s more the principle of it being mandatory, and the threat of punishment, rather than anyone, say, being actually arrested or summoned to court for not voting…
It’s a genuine cultural thing. If you admit, publicly, that you didn’t vote, you’re seen as a “rebel”, or a bit of a weirdo/outcast, and/or “shamed” a bit, like “Well you shouldn’t get to complain/have a say in community affairs, then!”
I’m not sure that’s quite the same elsewhere, at least in the level of shame directed at avowed “non-voters”, but then, we don’t have “get out the vote” campaigns, so much as “remember you MUST vote” campaigns, so that’s… An interesting cultural quirk/difference, if nothing else!
Voting should be a privilege; something you want to do, not something that's forced upon you.