how compulsory voting saved Australia from trumpism

[tielan]

How Australia's compulsory voting system saved it from Trumpism

Compulsory voting keeps politics focused on the centre rather than the fringe of politics. To win elections, political parties have to appeal not just to their base but to the majority of people. Australia is also one of only a few countries with preferential voting, which means a voter ranks candidates in order of preference, compared with most countries where the candidate with the most votes wins. It ensures that those elected have the support of the majority of voters.

Comments

[wpadmirer]

Envious.

[tielan]

It's not a perfect system. I mean, we go through PMs like they're tissue paper, and the lobbyists still hold sway, plus our politicians can still sell fear-based messages to the electorate generally.

But, yeah, at least we have less worry about gerrymandering and one-issue voters.

[velithya]

I genuinely don't understand why more countries don't use preferential voting. Just. WHY

[tielan]

Because them that's in power would rather not give it up.

[velithya]

I mean, that's a fair point.
I suppose that's why they don't want compulsory voting either.