A question for United Statians who vote.

[den]

re this by Tom Tomorrow

How can you be a registered voter and not be allowed to vote for who you want? How does your system work?

Comments

[zibblsnrt.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's the fact that voting's non-compulsory as much as the fact that voters have to basically ask permission to vote. Voter's lists not only cut campaign lengths by ridiculous amounts, they increase turnout...

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

Voting is compulsory here. In fact, you have to explain why you didn't go to vote on Election day.

It's "going to vote" that is compulsory. We turn up and have our names crossed off. What happens after that is up to us. We can vote, walk out, or write 'All politicians are scum sucking arse-holes' on the ballot if we wish.

We get a 98% turn-out, and the campaign from announcement to New Prime Minister lasts about 5 weeks. So our current prime minister is a lying bastard who licks Bush's arse, but he did get in on a true majority vote. (which is a pity.)