In 1922, voter turnout in Australia went down to fifty-eight percent. (Remember, our current rate is only sixty percent!) As a result, government officials became concerned. By 1924, they had made voting compulsory. Now Australia has regularly enjoys heavy voter turnout, even though the sanction for not voting is nominal. Australians make a habit of voting; Americans do not.
The only downside of the Australian system is the presence of what they call “donkey votes.” Some voters merely play pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey to decide their vote – apparently because they don’t like any of the candidates, or are simply flouting their citizenship obligations.
The problem of such random voting, however, is small (and in any case, if it is truly random, ought not to affect results). In addition, the problem could be easily solved by adding a space for the voter to register the sentiment “No Candidate Acceptable.” Then the NCA vote should be tabulated – and weighed. If NCA wins, then no one has been elected, and the election law should provide for another race to quickly follow.
This clinches it for me: Australia is the most civilized nation on the planet. Not only do they have this system — and the key for me will be the adoption of NCA as a choice — but they also have coin-operated gas grills along their scenic highways. Hungry? Buy some food and grill it right there at the scenic rest area. No muss, no fuss.
I wanted to emigrate there when I was 18 but was deterred by a communications snafu. It’s not too late, I suppose.