Quote:
Originally posted by Strange Famous
You could spoil the ballot paper if you didnt want to vote for any of the candidates.
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In Australia, one kind of "spoiled" vote is called a donkey vote - A term that would be completely misunderstood in American politics.
It's accepted here because it's part of our tradition and status quo. It means we have a reputable National electoral commission that has consistent technology and procedures across all voting districts (operating under the KISS principle). Changing the system, either in Australia or America would disrupt the balance of power in either place. Therefore, it's just not gonna happen.
Our compulsory voting might not be ideologically or philosophically "pure" but neither is the US selective service or electoral college - and America accepts the electoral college because it's part of your political history.