Tales from the Polling Booth

[fish]

I voted at Upper Sturt Primary School.

As expected, the CFS volunteers were out in force with their sausage sizzle and would have made a nice profit.

The school fundraising committee were there too with cakes and plants and would have made a tidy sum.

A huge thumbs up to the Liberal "how to vote card" supplier who not only gave me his card but also directed me to the piles of other parties cards who, at the time, were unattended. He could easily have said nothing but chose to make it a level playing field.

As always the electoral commission staff were professional albeit somewhat wooden.

Upon leaving the polling booth the Greens "how to vote card" supplier had returned.

All in all a pleasant experience and I am glad to have had the opportunity to vote without fear of violence or repercussion against myself or my family.

[zipzap]

Always shake my head at the dimwits in the line spewing cos they HAVE to vote at the "stupid" elections. Having worked in polling booths there are always run ins with similar people, some getting violent at times. I reakon if voting was made optional we'd have less than a 20% turnout

[Interceptor]

Always shake my head at the dimwits in the line spewing cos they HAVE to vote at the "stupid" elections. Having worked in polling booths there are always run ins with similar people, some getting violent at times. I reakon if voting was made optional we'd have less than a 20% turnout

Not sure what they get in the US, but 20% would seem very low to me.
It would vary from seat to seat of course.

[Gozu]

Always shake my head at the dimwits in the line spewing cos they HAVE to vote at the "stupid" elections. Having worked in polling booths there are always run ins with similar people, some getting violent at times. I reakon if voting was made optional we'd have less than a 20% turnout

As I was walking in through the door of my booth today a miffed bloke comes out pushing a pram and says to all "Ahh the democractic process".

[GWW]

Make it voluntary, but put a rule in that those on Centrelink Benefits will miss a payment if they don't attend a voting booth to get their name crossed off. I reckon it would be a big turnout then

[dedja]

Sorry to be pedantic but it's not compulsory to vote ... it is in fact compulsory to have your name crossed off the electoral role at a polling booth and once you do that there is no compulsion to cast a valid vote.

[Wedgie]

Make it voluntary, but put a rule in that those on Centrelink Benefits will miss a payment if they don't attend a voting booth to get their name crossed off. I reckon it would be a big turnout then

Should be the opposite, they'll miss a paymetn if they do vote.

[GWW]

I reckon most of them would stuff up the way they complete their electoral card anyway, so probably woudn't make a difference to the election outcome.

[Dogwatcher]

Anyone do the whole legislative council card?

I love voting, I reckon it's great.
Also enjoy following the election coverage as the votes roll in during the night.

Worth noting the massive number of people who postal voted as compared to voting on the day. Is it a sign of the times?

[GWW]

Yep i listed all from 1 to 74 (or whatever the total was)

[Dogwatcher]

You mad bastid.

[A Mum]

Worked in one today - now home 7am till 9-30pm - I am totally buggered !!

so... my dreams tonight will be made up of...

Do you have your easy voting card?
What is your full name?
Where do you live?
Have you voted before in this election?



Must say though - those easy voting cards did make it easier - who ever thought of them are a genious

As for grumpy customers - Just a few

One thing I did notice this election - lots and lots and lots of first time 18+ voters

[Dogwatcher]

All those questions you had to ask....

That's why I love living in the country.

The guys on the desk know who you are. All I got asked was "have you voted elsewhere today".

I felt like saying "not with this name" just to see if I got any response

[gadj1976]

There was an absolute stunning dolly bird in front of me in line today. Hats off to the girl wearing the body hugging hooped dress. I hereby applaud thou.

Having worked in a polling booth some years ago, I can vouch for all the weirdos (rosary beads included - I'll never forget him (took about 20 minutes blessing the booth and the voting papers and the pencil!)) and dolly birds that grace society on a semi regular basis, bless 'em.

[fish]

Make it voluntary

Nah I disagree GWW.

Surely a result from 100% or so of the electorate is better than one from less than 100%.

[Dogwatcher]

I will note, one thing I didn't hear today was:

"Oh crap, we've got to do this again later in the year."

[GWW]

Make it voluntary

Nah I disagree GWW.

Surely a result from 100% or so of the electorate is better than one from less than 100%.

My comment was in jest, fish, as seen by the bit about Centrelink benefits.

[fish]

Make it voluntary

Nah I disagree GWW.

Surely a result from 100% or so of the electorate is better than one from less than 100%.

My comment was in jest, fish, as seen by the bit about Centrelink benefits.

HeHe no worries mate

[MightyEagles]

Yep i listed all from 1 to 74 (or whatever the total was)

I did the same I think it was 72. I prefer to do below the line, if you vote above the line, it's pretty much asking the party you voted for to do the voting for you. If you vote below, you vote the way you want.

[wycbloods]

Yep i listed all from 1 to 74 (or whatever the total was)

I did the same I think it was 72. I prefer to do below the line, if you vote above the line, it's pretty much asking the party you voted for to do the voting for you. If you vote below, you vote the way you want.

I voted below the line as well and there was definitely 74 ME.