Yes it is "compulsory" to vote in Australia. If you are on the electoral
rolls and don't vote, they send you a please explain letter. Your reply to
this can be just about anything. E.g "I forgot", "the dog ate my homework",
"my car had a flat battery" etc. They will usually accept this. The only
people who have a hard time are the ones who want to make a point. I think
they usually present themselves for jail rather than pay the $10 fine,
hoping that the media will be there.
> > >
> > In Australia, I believe its compulsory to vote. Perhaps an Australian
> > list-member can confirm or deny this.
>
> On the other hand, if someone doesn't care enough to get out and vote, do
> you really want them to do so?

Apathy is the same here as it is in most other parts of the planet.
Politics naturally polarizes, so in the end the the unthinking right
balances the unthinking left and the knowledgable (is that a word?) punters
close to the fault line decide all democratic elections.
I lost a lot of faith in the US system when Mickey Mouse won the presidency
..... TWICE!!!
I should clarify.... I am not talking about the cigar salesman.
Ron, Oz