Polling Day

Today is Polling Day for state elections in New South Wales. I thought I'd just share a few thoughts as an American observing the voting process here.

First of all, voting is compulsory here in Australia. Australia is the only English-speaking country to have made voting compulsory in both federal and state elections. My understanding is that you can be fined if you don't vote. This means that voter turnout is around 95%! To an American who is bombarded with reports and complaints about the apathetic American electorate at voting time, that is just mind-boggling. I think America has something to learn here.

A little side note on compulsory voting: aborigines are not required to vote, but if they register, they must vote. Intriquing. I'd be interested to read some legislative history on that.

Secondly, voting is on Saturday. Is that brilliant or what? No half days for schools because their cafeterias are being used. For 9-5 workers, no trying to figure out how to make it to the polling place. What I saw last time we were here and this morning when I was out for an early run was older people, families with small children, young people, all walking to the different polling places (schools, community centers, etc.) to vote. And there were reasonable lines of people waiting.

In addition, community groups and schools take advantage of the polling to have bake sales (cake stalls), barbecues/sausage sizzles, book sales, plant sales, etc. That promotes a much more festive/community atmosphere, it seems.

Of course, we don't get to vote. But I was enlisted to bake something for the cake stall through the school. My lesson learned in that regard? Cadbury brownie mix produces fewer brownies, uses a smaller "slice pan", and the girls weren't too keen on the taste. Poor souls who buy my brownies. Back to baking from scratch!

Anne