Museums as polling places

[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).