Aquarium > Politics

[out_there]

Saturday, November 25th is the State Election for Victoria.

This means that people who are coming to the aquarium to look at the fishies at 1pm will need to have voted beforehand.

I'm putting this out as a general reminder because I only just realised that these two events are on the same day. Now, because I never updated my address when I moved last time (14 months ago), I can't vote but for everyone else who doesn't want to pay the $20 fine, please do.

ETA: If anyone needs info on the Vic elections, try http://www.13vote.com.au/.

Comments

[delurker.livejournal.com]

Ooh, good point.

[out-there.livejournal.com]

I only just realised, so I thought it best to point out. Apparently, you can vote in advance -- there are pre-poll centres where you can vote between monday and friday -- but it's something that needs to be organised.

If you need info, try: www.13vote.com.au

[scribewraith.livejournal.com]

you should still be able to vote for your old address - I'm still voting in Norman Park because I haven't got around to changing it.

[out-there.livejournal.com]

Only if you've moved within the last three months. I called them up about it, and since I didn't update from the last move -- 18 months ago -- and it was in a completely different district (like two hours drive from where I live now, on the other side of Melbourne), I'm officially not eligible.

As much as I support democracy and enforced voting, I'm not-so-secretly relieved that I don't have to bother this time.

[ahab99.livejournal.com]

Huh. So you get out of the enforced voting because you haven't updated your address? That seems like a loophole.

[out-there.livejournal.com]

Tecnically, they have the right to fine me $20 for not voting, since it was my error not to change address last time. But in my defence, I changed address this time (just a few days too late for this election's cut off date) and had every intention of voting until I realised I hadn't changed last time I moved, so hopefully they'll take that into account and waive the fee.

Mind you, if you want the loophole to get out of voting? Never register. If you don't register to vote at 18, they never add you to the electorate roll and you never get fined for not voting.

It's not like they drag you off in chains, it's just... *expected* that everyone will vote.

[ahab99.livejournal.com]

Heh. Do you have to prove you registered for any other government services you might want to access? I know here in the States boys are required to register for the draft when they turn 18; if they don't do that then they can't do things like apply for Federal financial aid for college.

[out-there.livejournal.com]

No. I mean, welfare payments all go through Centrelink (national welfare agency/department) and while they'll ask for a tax number, being enrolled to vote doesn't get crosschecked for any payments.

And we don't have the draft. (Yay.) I think they went by Births, Deaths and Marriages records when they had it for Vietnam, though. *shrugs*

[ahab99.livejournal.com]

We actually don't have a draft either (that is, it'd have to be explicitly reinstated for anyone to actually be drafted), but yet every man still has to register for it. It's rather strange, actually. I guess the infrastructure won't get removed unless there's the pressure of an imminent draft and people start protesting, or something.