Museums as polling places

[Steve]

An interesting article from the head of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Museum:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/w...180970647/

Laurie, is the Surratt House a polling place during elections?

[L Verge]

An interesting article from the head of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Museum:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/w...180970647/

Laurie, is the Surratt House a polling place during elections?

No, but it was a polling place from 1854-1864. Since we were in the heart of Southern Maryland's Confederacy, I really wish we could hear the talk that went on in our tavern, especially during the 1860 election. Mr. Lincoln received only one vote in our entire county in that election.

Oddly, we don't know who the gentleman was who voted for him, but we do know that he resided in the southern-most region (geographically) of Prince George's County. Perhaps he did it as a joke?

I will double-check this, but Lincoln did a little better in 1864. Maybe because Union soldiers were allowed to vote whether citizens of Maryland or not?

[AussieMick]

No, but it was a polling place from 1854-1864. Since we were in the heart of Southern Maryland's Confederacy, I really wish we could hear the talk that went on in our tavern, especially during the 1860 election. Mr. Lincoln received only one vote in our entire county in that election.

Oddly, we don't know who the gentleman was who voted for him, but we do know that he resided in the southern-most region (geographically) of Prince George's County. Perhaps he did it as a joke?

Laurie, Well if it was done as joke then it was a Donkey vote.
Two reasons ...
#1 It could have been a Democrat (the Donkey Party) voting for a Republican.
#2 In Australia we have compulsory voting and some people simply fill in the ballot, in order to comply, without caring who they vote for ... we call that a Donkey vote.

( I hate compulsory voting ... but dont start me on that)

[L Verge]

No, but it was a polling place from 1854-1864. Since we were in the heart of Southern Maryland's Confederacy, I really wish we could hear the talk that went on in our tavern, especially during the 1860 election. Mr. Lincoln received only one vote in our entire county in that election.

Oddly, we don't know who the gentleman was who voted for him, but we do know that he resided in the southern-most region (geographically) of Prince George's County. Perhaps he did it as a joke?

Laurie, Well if it was done as joke then it was a Donkey vote.
Two reasons ...
#1 It could have been a Democrat (the Donkey Party) voting for a Republican.
#2 In Australia we have compulsory voting and some people simply fill in the ballot, in order to comply, without caring who they vote for ... we call that a Donkey vote.

( I hate compulsory voting ... but dont start me on that)

I have to ask how Australia enforces compulsory voting. What is the penalty if you don't vote?

---

No, but it was a polling place from 1854-1864. Since we were in the heart of Southern Maryland's Confederacy, I really wish we could hear the talk that went on in our tavern, especially during the 1860 election. Mr. Lincoln received only one vote in our entire county in that election.

Oddly, we don't know who the gentleman was who voted for him, but we do know that he resided in the southern-most region (geographically) of Prince George's County. Perhaps he did it as a joke?

Laurie, Well if it was done as joke then it was a Donkey vote.
Two reasons ...
#1 It could have been a Democrat (the Donkey Party) voting for a Republican.
#2 In Australia we have compulsory voting and some people simply fill in the ballot, in order to comply, without caring who they vote for ... we call that a Donkey vote.

( I hate compulsory voting ... but dont start me on that)

I have to ask how Australia enforces compulsory voting. What is the penalty if you don't vote?

I should mention that, about a dozen years ago, Surratt House featured a fantastic 19th-century political exhibit to coincide with an election year (can't remember which one). One of our longtime members lent his fantastic collection of original memorabilia of elections throughout the 1800s and all of museum quality.

We even had one member offer to loan an original "voting house" that was still standing on his property. In some areas, these were tiny structures with a door at each end and a voting counter and ballot box in between. The voter walked in one door, did his civic duty, and then walked out the other door. We had to decline using it because we couldn't afford the expense of moving it to Surratt House, securing it while on loan and then moving it back.

[AussieMick]

Laurie,
The penalty for not voting (that is: failing to have your name crossed on the electoral roll as having been given a ballot) in Australia is a fine (amount varies but in Victoria its $79) ... some rebels have come close to being jailed for refusing to pay the fine.

Obviously, people can have their name crossed off, take the ballot and leave it blank (or write something offensive on it) and put in the box. So its a sham and hypocritical ... the only ones penalised are those honest enough to refuse to vote!

Some people in US and UK say "wow! I wish we had compulsory voting!"
I argue its anathema to democracy ... you shouldnt be forced to do your duty. It doesnt result in everybody having their say (that's a myth put out by political parties) ... many voters do not give any consideration to who they vote for ... it makes politicians lazy (or 'lazier' I should say).

[Steve]

They had public voting then, so I doubt the sole Lincoln vote was a joke. Most of the anti-Breckenridge vote in Maryland went to Bell in the 1860 election.

As for compulsory voting, this American is opposed to the concept. One should have the freedom to choose not to vote.

[Eva Elisabeth]

The thought of compulsory voting is somewhat appalling to me. What if you do not want to vote because you aren't in favor of and do not want anyone "on offer"?

[AussieMick]

Eva, compulsory voting is ... worse than appalling. I sometimes feel like Winston Smith in 1984. But there are a few, just a few, other Australians that feel as I do. Most though have been brainwashed ( I'm not kidding) into the belief that compulsory voting is a great Aussie tradition which has "done us proud" (?!?).

It actually scares me that all (yes, all) the media and , would you believe, many many academics and university philosophers accept and believe that compulsory voting is wonderful. Actually its more devious than that. They detail all the pros and cons ... and then somehow decide that, on balance, compulsory voting is the best.

Arguing my case is sometimes like wading in treacle. Ive even heard people say " but if we didnt have compulsory voting, nobody would vote." Or, "Voting is your duty ... its a community essential ... like paying taxes and jury duty ... thats why its compulsory". It is a way "to ensure that everybody takes part in elections". ( Joe Stalin would be proud of that one!). Yes, Ive heard "Arent we great? We get around 95% voter turnout!!!" I've heard "Ohhh its not really compulsory to vote ... if you're that annoyed then just invalidate the ballot" ... this from politicians, as if breaking the law is not really a big deal as long as nobody knows you've done it.

Anyway to answer your very good question ... if you do not like any of the candidates on offer? You can run as a candidate yourself ... thats the response I've sometimes had from politicians when I ask that! Seriously, the only real option is to break the law and invalidate your ballot. Of course , your ballot will be classified as an "Informal" along with the 4% or so that are too confused as to how to vote correctly. In other words, nobody will take any notice of your dislike / disapproval of all the candidates.

The benefit for political parties is they do not have to persuade supporters to vote , that is to 'get out the vote'. They know exactly where the marginal booths are and can focus on them.

I love Australia ... but hate the voting system and will never stop fighting for change.

[Eva Elisabeth]

I still do not know - if you do not want to give your vote and support to any of the candidates you yet have to make a cross, or can you at least go to the ballot box, sign you appeared at the vote and make no cross on the ballot paper? I mean, you cannot be forced to support someone you do not like to support, and lately at least here the choice was always between pest and cholera, so for the first time I didn't vote in the past election. And sorry, I cannot give up my profession to run myself. Just imagine everyone unsatisfied did that...
(BTW, is it like in the US that there are only two parties to choose? Would make it even worse, less choice. Although here there are quite a lot of parties on the ballot paper and still lately no one to really go for...sometimes I end up voting Green just because I hope they at least do something positive for environment, even if the rest of the program is the same no-go as the other parties...)

[AussieMick]

Sorry (I got carried away).

You have to take a ballot and get your name and address marked on the electoral roll. You must deposit the ballot in the box.

What you do in between getting the ballot and putting it in the big box is your business. You can vote correctly or leave it blank or scribble abusive words or write a slogan like "Climate Change is Your fault .... do something".... or draw indecent pictures. I've been a scrutineer and seen them all.

The State goes out of its way to help people to vote, such as postal voting or voting early. No written identification required ( Just say your name and address); then be asked 'Have you voted before at this election? ' Answer 'No'... and get your ballot and marked off the roll.

We have the Liberals (equate to Republican) and Labor (Socialist ) and Greens (normally vote with Labor). There is also the National Party (mainly farmers) who usually form a coalition with the Liberals. There are always a few nutbag (ok, sorry, one or two are quite good) Independents and they sometimes win in a few seats.

[Eva Elisabeth]

So more than one party can make the government? That's at least something as representing more than one group's opinion. (Here a party needs 5% to make it into the Bundestag and be eligible to participate in governing, forming coalition etc...).

[AussieMick]

Yes, in Australia the Liberals are currently in government in a coalition with the Nationals. After an election that is the case except when Labor wins power in its own right. Labor has been in power about 10 years in the last 20 years (so its 50:50).

Greens have some power in the 'upper' House (Senate) when Labor and the Coalition have locked equally. When this happens the Greens usually vote with Labor. Independents very occasionally have the deciding vote.