I voted today.

Thought I'd take the camera along and document the process.

Once I got nailed filming at the touch screen I was questioned by some official there.

I wasn't filming the private votes of other's so I'm not sure what the big deal was.

The wait was about 1 1/2 hours but it was sunny and warm.

I didn't see any disinfranchised voters or any problems for that matter.

Participating in democracy really is a special feeling when you arrive at your polling location.

If you can vote, and still haven't, go vote now! As long as you are in line by the time the polls close you should be allowed to vote.

I didn't get the jest, looked kinda boring, but I got the jist ;)

I can't believe you wait in line for so long! Over here our voting is handled by an independent electoral commission, voting is compulsory (which I think is right, if you enjoy living in a democracy, you should have a corresponding obligation to participate in the process - I know, before you start, you guys are pro choice on everything :surrender ) and you cue for about 10 minutes because they have polling booths EVERYWHERE. Plus we vote on Saturday so people can spread it out during the day.

I think the "Jest" was on those of us that live in states that still have punch card ballots. I keep hearing on the news how important Ohio is in this election, so how come we get the oldest voting equipment?

Great video though, I thought where I voted had the longest line in the country, I see from your tape I was wrong.

I didn't get the jest, looked kinda boring, but I got the jist ;)

I can't believe you wait in line for so long! Over here our voting is handled by an independent electoral commission, voting is compulsory (which I think is right, if you enjoy living in a democracy, you should have a corresponding obligation to participate in the process - I know, before you start, you guys are pro choice on everything :surrender ) and you cue for about 10 minutes because they have polling booths EVERYWHERE. Plus we vote on Saturday so people can spread it out during the day.

Thanks Karl, I should break out the dictionary more often. The "gist" has been corrected.

As for boring, that you couldn't be more wrong about. Sure it's not sex, or a 300 mile cruise on a V-ROD but millions of our people exercising their right to chose the direction of our country couldn't be a more proud and exicting experience. That is, unless the people we vote for win :).

While you're voting on a Saturday we'll be cruising!!!

I think the "Jest" was on those of us that live in states that still have punch card ballots. I keep hearing on the news how important Ohio is in this election, so how come we get the oldest voting equipment?

Great video though, I thought where I voted had the longest line in the country, I see from your tape I was wrong.

NO WAY Mike!!! Your line was less then an hour and a half? That ain't bad!

Punch cards? :eek:

Over here our voting is handled by an independent electoral commission, voting is compulsory (which I think is right, if you enjoy living in a democracy, you should have a corresponding obligation to participate in the process - I know, before you start, you guys are pro choice on everything .
That's Bogus. Or more like BOOOOOOOOGus.

I voted. But like you said, most here would agree that you are free to choose. Not voting is a valid protest. Not voting is also a valid choice if you are among the clueless who needs a rock star or Hollywood star to tell you to get out and vote.

That's Bogus. Or more like BOOOOOOOOGus.

I knew someone would say that :hiding: You are still free here to have your name crossed off the list, fold your piece of paper up blank and put it in the ballot box. At least when people have to go to a polling station and vote, they are more likely to take some notice of the issues and cast a vote.

Whats bogus is the parties spending god knows how many 10s or 100's of millions USD on a campaign only 50% of elligible voters will bother polling at :confused:

Here is a good article I got, of all places from the VRF Religion and Politics forum, about the Australian election we just had:

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- When Australia's 13 million voters go to the polls on Saturday October 9, they will take part in a national election that has two special characteristics setting it apart from most others.

Voting in Australia is compulsory, with a modest fine slapped on those who don't cast their ballot.

As well, the nation uses a preferential majority system that gives considerable power to minor political parties in determining the final result.

Compulsory voting has been a feature of Australian federal elections since 1924.

Everyone on the electoral roll must vote, subject to some qualifications. For example, itinerants, people living overseas and expeditioners in the Antarctic territory administered by Australia don't have to vote. Nor do people serving a jail term of more than three years.

People who object to voting can make a case in writing to the returning officer. But ultimately their reasons can be tested in court.

Strictly speaking, the act of voting is not compulsory. It is enough for an elector to attend a polling booth, have his or her name marked off the list of voters, be issued with a ballot paper and then put the folded paper in the ballot box.

Because voting is secret, there is no compulsion for a voter to complete the ballot paper before folding it and putting it in the box.

Compulsory voting was introduced in Australia after voter turnout had fallen to as low as 47 percent in elections before 1924.

Another argument put forward by its proponents was that it would free up the political parties to concentrate on explaining their policies, rather than having to be concerned about getting people to come and vote.

Preferences come into play
Under the Australian preferential voting system, a successful candidate must receive an absolute majority (50 percent plus 1) of the total formal votes cast.

The system is used in elections for the federal lower House of Representatives, and in most state lower houses in Australia (Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory are the exceptions).

Its main benefit is that the winner is the "most preferred" candidate among all voters in a single electorate.

It also allows people to support minor parties and independents without "wasting" their vote, because their preferences may decide the ultimate winner.

On the ballot paper, electors are required to show their first, second, third, and so on, choice of candidates, by placing "1," "2," "3," against the candidates' names.

If no candidate wins an absolute majority on election night -- before absentee, postal and pre-poll votes are counted -- then these "preferences" come into play.

The candidate with the lowest number of first preference votes is excluded. These votes are then distributed to the remaining candidates according to the second preference.

If there is still no absolute majority for one candidate, then the candidate with the second lowest number of first votes is excluded, and their preferences are distributed to the remaining candidates. The process of distributing preferences continues until one candidate has an absolute majority.

Neither of the two main political parties in Australia -- the governing Liberal Party (supported by its National Party allies in rural electorates) and the opposition Australian Labor Party -- is likely to achieve more than 50 percent of the primary vote in the 2004 election.

This means that minor parties such as the Greens and the Democrats can influence the final result in the way they direct their preferences.

In seeking to win a flow of preferences from these minor parties, the two main parties will sometimes adjust their policies to make themselves more attractive.

A third aspect of the 2004 Australian federal election is that it includes a vote for half of the upper house, or Senate, along with all 150 seats in the lower House of Representatives. "


Just a point of comparison anyway

Karl, that's very interesting. It wouldn't be an appropriate system here though because we are a collection of 50 states. We don't have to go through those tie breakers to have one candidate achieve a majority of votes. Here the states determine the president. A majority of voters could choose one candidate, but the winner is the one who gets the most electoral votes from the states and the Disctict of Columbia. This way, all big cities could be for Kerry, but the folks in the rural areas still have some clout.

Karl, that's very interesting. It wouldn't be an appropriate system here though because we are a collection of 50 states. We don't have to go through those tie breakers to have one candidate achieve a majority of votes. Here the states determine the president. A majority of voters could choose one candidate, but the winner is the one who gets the most electoral votes from the states and the Disctict of Columbia. This way, all big cities could be for Kerry, but the folks in the rural areas still have some clout.

I have actually taken some time during this election to look into your Electoral College System and understand how it and your election structure all works, and I reckon the process itself is pretty clever considering the population you have and the way your states and the fed relate under your republican set up. I think it all the razzamatazz and the Hollywood hype that gets in the way!

I think it all the razzamatazz and the Hollywood hype that gets in the way!I couldn't agree more, Karl.

After this election, I think we will see a push from Hollywood and the media for a popular vote in America. They're going to make it sound very reasonable and necessary.

Thank God it will never happen. The founders of our nation knew Plato, and they knew that true democracy is one step away from tyranny. A popular vote in America would put New York, Los Angeles, and one more city, maybe San Francisco!, in charge of deciding who becomes our president. What a nightmare that would be. That's exactly why we don't have a democracy; we have a constitutional republic. It's the best system for us.

I didn't get the jest, looked kinda boring, but I got the jist ;)

I can't believe you wait in line for so long! Over here our voting is handled by an independent electoral commission, voting is compulsory (which I think is right, if you enjoy living in a democracy, you should have a corresponding obligation to participate in the process - I know, before you start, you guys are pro choice on everything :surrender ) and you cue for about 10 minutes because they have polling booths EVERYWHERE. Plus we vote on Saturday so people can spread it out during the day.


Blah blah blah blah blah... leave it to an Aussie to critisize anothers spelling and the greatest nation on earth.

Blah blah blah blah blah... leave it to an Aussie to critisize anothers spelling and the greatest nation on earth.

The spelling was a joke, and the rest was a comparison. The differences have a lot to do with our population and the day we do it. If you think that was a criticism and decide to get your back up, all I can say is take a chill pill. And by the way, being the biggest strongest kid on the block doesn't make you the greatest nation on earth. Even your president doesn't say that. He doesn't put your country over anyone elses. He says that there is, when you pull together, no limit to the greatness of America. No argument on that one, but you aren't perfect, no-one expects you to be, so don't get so defensive, we're just talking here right?

Karl, My post was put up simply to get a rise out of you and to see how you would respond. You responded like a true gentleman and therfore have gained my respect. Over the years and especially since 9-11 I have talked to a lot of people from other countries who seem to have the misconception of the american people. They think that everything we have, we took from someone else. For the most part we are a country of hard working, God fearing and family loving people. I for one have lived the "American dream" to its fullest. I came from a very poor family but because of the opportunities presented to me in our society I was able to marry, have a family, build a house and a succesful company just simply because I wanted to. So forgive me if I get a little defensive, I may be a little hyper sensitive when it comes to defending our country.
You are right that being the biggest stongest kid on the block doesn't make you the greatest nation on earth. That is "what" we are and not "who" we are. Its the "who" we are that makes us the greatest nation on earth.
If France, Germany or Austrilia (just to name a few)where attacked like we were on 9-11 they and you would expect us to be right there to have your back. And we would be in a second. We do have our allies and we do greatly appreatiate them very much, but to have critisism from other countries about how we are trying to handle the situation is a little hard for us (me) to take.
So...that being said. it might give you a little insite as to why I am a little defensive of our country. I hope you have the same feeling towards your own country.

Karl, My post was put up simply to get a rise out of you and to see how you would respond. You responded like a true gentleman and therfore have gained my respect. Over the years and especially since 9-11 I have talked to a lot of people from other countries who seem to have the misconception of the american people. They think that everything we have, we took from someone else. For the most part we are a country of hard working, God fearing and family loving people. I for one have lived the "American dream" to its fullest. I came from a very poor family but because of the opportunities presented to me in our society I was able to marry, have a family, build a house and a multi million dollar company just simply because I wanted to. So forgive me if I get a little defensive, I may be a little hyper sensitive when it comes to defending our country.
You are right that being the biggest stongest kid on the block doen't make you the greatest nation on earth. That is "what" we are and not "who" we are. Its the "who" we are that makes us the greatest nation on earth.
If France, Germany or Austrilia (just to name a few)where attacked like we were on 9-11 they and you would expect us to be right there to have your back. And we would be in a second. We do have our allies and we do greatly appreatiate them very much, but to have critisism from other countries about how we are trying to handle the situation is a little hard for us (me) to take.
So...that being said. it might give you a little insite as to why I am a little defensive of our country. I hope you have the same feeling towards your own country.

That's just about what I was gonna say! Well except I haven't built the multi million dollar company yet but I did stay at a Holiday Inn expess last night!!
Must be getting close :)

Thought this one needed a little bit of levity

I'd be against compulsory voting since the right to not vote is just as important as the right to vote. No offence to our bretheren down under, but a common problem in all our nations is that law makers create laws as a knee-jerk reaction to an undesirable event. Then we find that the new law may create additional problems or trample existing rights, so we adjust it by creating a few more laws, etc. etc. Eventually we're encumbered by so many legal laws, rules, etc, that nothing works as it was intended.

Anyway, advantages to living is a small town - I arrive at the polling location at 7:45 a.m. before work. I walk directly to the person who takes my name and checks me off the list. I step aside and wait for the person voting to finish and leave the booth. I count to 12 as I wait. They leave and I enter the booth. I vote. I return to my vehicle. The time is now 7:48. I drive to work, park and reach my office - time, 7:53.

Gotta love a small town. (by the way, the polling location was the firehouse, about half way across town from where I work.)

Karl, My post was put up simply to get a rise out of you and to see how you would respond. You responded like a true gentleman and therfore have gained my respect. Over the years and especially since 9-11 I have talked to a lot of people from other countries who seem to have the misconception of the american people. They think that everything we have, we took from someone else. For the most part we are a country of hard working, God fearing and family loving people. I for one have lived the "American dream" to its fullest. I came from a very poor family but because of the opportunities presented to me in our society I was able to marry, have a family, build a house and a multi million dollar company just simply because I wanted to. So forgive me if I get a little defensive, I may be a little hyper sensitive when it comes to defending our country.
You are right that being the biggest stongest kid on the block doen't make you the greatest nation on earth. That is "what" we are and not "who" we are. Its the "who" we are that makes us the greatest nation on earth.
If France, Germany or Austrilia (just to name a few)where attacked like we were on 9-11 they and you would expect us to be right there to have your back. And we would be in a second. We do have our allies and we do greatly appreatiate them very much, but to have critisism from other countries about how we are trying to handle the situation is a little hard for us (me) to take.
So...that being said. it might give you a little insite as to why I am a little defensive of our country. I hope you have the same feeling towards your own country.

Yeah, we are ready to have a "discussion" with anyone that bags Australia, just like you guys bristle when you feel your nation is being criticised. Nothing wrong with that mate :cheers: I actually was pretty impressed with the way your election was handled, and cnn.com had some brilliant coverage on the results and how it was panning out. Kerry did the right thing and Bush played fair as well. After 2000 a lot of us internationally were pretty relieved to see the lawyers leashed and the players being proper sportsmen. Your country probably went up lot in everyone's estimation as a result. When you guys act civil like and play nicely together, then look outward united, people sit up and take notice in a positive way. When you are apparently deeply divided like you have seemed to be for a little while, it makes everyome nervous :hiding:

You should all be pretty proud of how your political parties handled it, on the whole. Given the stakes, it looked like a pretty clean fight.

Thanks for the post Karl, your a stand up guy. :cheers:

When you are apparently deeply divided like you have seemed to be for a little while, it makes everyome nervous :hiding:Yep Karl is a pretty sharp guy. Even way Down Under he knows that divisions are often far more apparent, portrayed, emphasized than they exist in actuality. Wouldn't ya know, turns out the 2000 presidential race (popular vote to Gore) was far more evenly split than the 2004 race (popular vote to Bush by over 3 million votes). Funny how, if you believed the "mainstream" media all along... and Hollywood... and other outward appearances... you'd have thought we were more divided today than ever before. Not so!

BTW, Australia ROCKS. I have never been there but I'm going to visit when I can afford to... that's for sure!