Today was our provincial election. Not only was it about provincial politics, but we had an added bonus of a referendum on our voting system. In the weeks leading up to this, I have heard so many people say that they were not going to vote and I am just amazed as I am of the opinion that you do not get to gripe if you do not vote for change.

So, off I toddled today to vote and put in my 2cents regarding the referendum. I have yet to turn on the television to see how things are going as polls will start coming in after 10 pm, I believe.

I fully believe that we can change things by voting. It is a long and drawn out process and frustrating beyond belief most times, but it is the system we do have and we have to work with it. No politician is ever going to be 'the one' to effect significant change in our lives, but we can do it slowly one politician and party at a time. Or at least I hope so. **crossing fingers**

Do you vote? What is your opinion on the process?

Well our state, federal and refferendums are compulsory to vote. If you are over 18 you have to vote!

Local shire are not.

I would vote anyway I think that these people will be running the country and you should put your two cents in.

The only problem with compulsory voting I see is the people who really don't care, generally just pick someone they 'think' is right, like the green party say (not that there is anything wrong with that) but if 10% of people have that mentality the numbers for the minority parties are growing and one day will be in power, and I do not think that they have what it takes to run the country, as their policies are generally not very broad.

Yes, I vote. No, it really doesn't matter to me who's in office as the things I really care about, like the economy, are cyclical and whoever is in office only reaps the benefits of an upturn or gets blamed for a downturn. I am apolitical for the most part but am a registered Republican.

Well our state, federal and refferendums are compulsory to vote. If you are over 18 you have to vote!

Local shire are not.

I would vote anyway I think that these people will be running the country and you should put your two cents in.

The only problem with compulsory voting I see is the people who really don't care, generally just pick someone they 'think' is right, like the green party say (not that there is anything wrong with that) but if 10% of people have that mentality the numbers for the minority parties are growing and one day will be in power, and I do not think that they have what it takes to run the country, as their policies are generally not very broad.

It is COMPULSORY to vote there?! WOWZA! It is up to us to decide if we wish to put down the remote control and make our way out to the voting station here. It is always interesting to see what the voter turnout is. Often, it is pathetic and less than 50%.

I had 6 candidates to chose from and had no idea about 3 of them. Had no clue we had an independant, nor a Family Coalition member.

I can well imagine that if compelled to vote many would not be serious and just do an 'eeny meeny miney mo' to chose a candidate.

Rach ... how is voting required? Do the powers that be come hunt you down if you don't vote????

You get fined if you don't vote, LOL I am not sure how much. But once you are 18 you register to vote, the do track you down when they know you are almost 18. They take your name when you get there in this big book and they work out the ones who don't vote.

When you go in they have generally lots of people out the front and they have fliers of the politicians, and you get one from the group that you like, and they have all the preferences done for you!

I actually like it, I love going to the polling booths and even if I didn't have to do it, I still would!

Are we the only one it is compulsory for?

Also if you are away, then you have to do a postal vote, so actors like Nicole Kidman, has to do theirs by postal vote!

I always vote. Like Leigh said you can't bitch if you did not even vote. I wish more people would vote, but most of my friends are totally clueless about the world around them, and would just mark anything if they had to vote. So I guess that could get a little scary.

I agree with the you can't complain if you don't vote ideology. You are part of the problem by not voting.

I vote in presidential/state elections and try to vote in local elections.

I don't think it should be compulsary to vote however, I think this is a freedom that we enjoy and should happily participate in as citizens of the countries we live in. There are too many societies that don't even have the option. I also plan on raising my children to appreciate the freedoms they have as American citizens and that voting is part of the responsibility that goes along with enjoying those freedoms.

And I typically vote for Democratic candidates (bet you are all shocked by that LOL) since my views tend to be more liberal in nature.

Holy Cow Rachel

I ad no idea...interesting concept

Let's just say I have registered a vote but not with every election...my bad!

I just feel no matter the outcome, no one is ever happy.....
I think here in the US regardless of the outcome of the election, we don't truly stand behind our elected officers...
It's every man for himself and everyone is ready to point the finger