Voting

Saturday was voting day. In Australia, elections are always held on weekends to ensure people do not have to take time off of work to vote. Voting is also compulsory; should an individual decide not to vote, they are fined massive amounts; voting is also preferential.

I am not entirely sure how I feel about this system of voting. You have to vote, which ensures you get a fair number of people who have no clue about anything casting votes. It also ensures that many people will become educated on important issues in order to ensure that they are educated voters.

Preferential voting is also a different concept. On the ballot, you number the candidates from one to five (let's say there are five) in order of preference. It is unclear how come this is form of voting was adopted over a majority or straight vote, or over a system like the one in place in America.

Note:
Smear campaigns are everywhere, not just the United States. Massive amounts of money are spent telling you who NOT to vote for.