Voting online

[timelord (Al)]

Gooday to all, can anyone tell me why in this day and age I have to waste my time travelling and standing in a que to vote?
I can lodge a tax return, do my banking spend money on goods ordered from the far side of the earth all from the comfort of my home in front of my computer but can't vote online! Why not?
Al.

[Lee]

I was thinking exactly the same thing today, as I tried to fold up the huge senate ballot to squeeze it in the box.... it is ridiculous that we haven't moved to an electronic system yet.....

[rogerg (Roger)]

As a software developer there's a large part of me that thinks it should be done electronically. But I still have a gut feeling that it's too early, too much risk, too easily hacked. We're not talking about $50,000 being stolen in a bank transfer when hacked, we're talking about the government of a country. The risk is too great.

[rat156]

All I can say is that whoever you voted for, campaign your new member for less light pollution. Every streetlight is 40W every night, equals a bit of CO2, turn them off!!

Cheers
Stuart

[Lee]

I rocked up - showed no ID, and put some numbers on a piece of paper, which was then folded crunched up into a cardboard box, supervised by some old ladies from the school's P&C.... I'm glad the banks use better security than that!

[rogerg (Roger)]

But - that's one, or maybe 5 thousand votes the old lady could steal/alter, as compared to a hacker who could substitute 500,000 with the click of a button.

It would be interesting to know what measures they have in place to prevent a car full of ballot papers going missing.

Quite a different scenario to your bank transaction I believe.

[kljucd1 (Daniel)]

Hi,

Have a look at all the complaints about the computer based voting in the US. I believe you still have to go there to do it and still people are making all sorts of claims about rigging.

It would be a lot of money spent on a system that no one would really trust.

Daniel...

[acropolite (Phil)]

I agree with Daniel, there is ample evidence of tampering with election results in the US system.

As for ballot papers going missing, all papers are accounted for, scrutineers, of all political persuasions, observe the initial count, which is done by the same people who mark your name off the roll, then cross checked by the electoral office, electoral rolls are also cross checked to ensure no one has voted more than once.

All ballot papers are signed by the electoral clerks before being handed out and the numbers tallied at the count. I worked on the polling booths for many years, I can't recall there ever being more than a couple of votes (in tens of thousands) not accounted for, often the missing papers were found in the garbage where disgruntled voters had thrown them.

Usually the numbers of papers tallied exactly.

This article, in Rolling Stone magazine, on the role of electronic voting in the 2004 US election, is well worth reading.

[Astro78]

Personally found it suss having to use a pencil And the soft ones that rub out really easily

[mick pinner]

l still find it a joke that voting, sorry turning up to have your name marked of the roll is compulsary.

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

Its a pity that so many people think their time is so valuable that they can't spare a 1/2 hour every 3 or 4 years to exercise a right that was hard fought for over so many years, one that many people in the world don't have.

As previously stated, forget electronic voting, too easy to tamper with (ever noticed how quickly hacks appear for new software). I'd much rather have a group of human eyes checking that things are fair and above board than rely on a computer to elect my government.

Bill

[mick pinner]

the right to vote was hard fought, not the compulsary vote.
it's not about time, a vote has to be earned not just expected.

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

And how do you earn it, by being a land owner as was the case in the past (effectively disenfranchising all those who were not). Compulsory voting is OK in my book, forces the lazy and apathetic to get of their bums and take part in the community at least once in a while. If folks can't be bothered then pay the fine, its only a few bucks a year. We live in one of the best countries in the world (probably THE best), have lots of rights and priveledges, but with this comes responsibilities and the most important is to vote on who should govern for the next term. If people took these responsibilities as they should, compulsion would not be neccessary, but human nature being what it is, its the best way of ensuring that enough cast a vote for a reasonably fair outcome. Or would you prefer that the government is elected by the votes of 25% of the population as happens elsewhere.

[cahullian]

When you sign up for the electoral role you have an agreement to turn up and vote. If you don't want to vote don't sign up. At least we all have a say not like other nations where lass than 59% of the population vote, either due to ingorance or intimidation.

Gazz (born in ireland but never voted, Australian citizen and always votes).

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

A young lady of the household just pointed out that some who won't stand in line to vote will stand in a queue at Maccas for a burger for the same time.

Bill
Born in Scotland, voted there, and votes in Australia.

[Zuts]

Originally Posted by Glenhuon

A young lady of the household just pointed out that some who won't stand in line to vote will stand in a queue at Maccas for a burger for the same time.

Bill
Born in Scotland, voted there, and votes in Australia.

It's sad isn't it, always me me me me, my time is precious...........

[netwolf]

All systems are susceptible to fraud. No such thing as a absolutely safe system.

An alarm goes off in a house and no one reports it because they think someone else will do it.
The power cuts out and no one reports it because some one else will.
An election is held and no one votes because some one else will.
It is wise to limit freedom with our conscious duty and responsibility to each other. If you feel strongly that the options are no good then stand up for election and make yourself herd. If you dont win at least you duty is done and consious is at peace.
"death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain"

Regards
Fahim

[ngcles]

Originally Posted by mick pinner

l still find it a joke that voting, sorry turning up to have your name marked of the roll is compulsary.

Hi Mick & All,

Very much agree with this comment by Mick. It is not compulsory to vote -- it is only compulsory to turn up and have your name ticked off the list. What you do with the ballot papers after your name is ticked off is irrelevant.

One little growing scam about voting really concerns me -- that is the practice of _all_ the major party candidates writing to voters before the election offering to assist in facilitating a postal vote. Now I know the party in question doesn't actually arrange the vote for you -- they just forward your details and the request to the Electoral Commission and indicate you want a postal vote and the Commission does the rest by sending out the appropriate pack to the voter.

But (and here is the big but) once you reply to the candidate in question and say "yes I need a postal vote, please arrange it for me", that party knows _for certain_ that you are not going to turn up in person at a booth to vote.

They can then (as they know your name and address) without fear of being caught-out, turn up anywhere in the electorate and vote for all the people who requested postal votes again and again and ... This is not to indict either of the big parties -- they both write letters to voters offering to arrange postal votes and it ought to be stopped.

Sure, if they want to write and advise you how to get a postal vote _from the Commission_ - fine. But the above is not kosher for mine -- it stinketh.

If we are going to have compulsory voting, I.D when your name is ticked off the roll should be compulsory too. One vote per identity - not one vote for any Tom, Dick or Harry who turns up and says "I'm John Smith, and I'm here to vote".


Best,

Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T

[cahullian]

Gee that's abit harsh Les. If you don't like the result move to America where 50% don't even vote he he he he

Gazz

[netwolf]

Les, I would assume that once you applied for a postal vote then the electoral commission would not list you on the role sent to the booths. If that is your concern and I have heard this b4 on a talk back radio station from a caller, perhaps you should right and ask the EC about it.