Compulsory voting keeps the Australian political system responsive to the people. New parties and candidates (like Katter’s Australian Party) who lack wealthy backing can contest elections without spending large sums of money just to get the voters to polling booths.
Why did the age change for voting?
The drive to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 grew across the country during the 1960s, driven in part by the military draft held during the Vietnam War.
What is the age limit for voting in Australia?
Alphabetical list of countries
| Country | Age |
|---|---|
| Australia | 18 |
| Austria | 16 |
| Azerbaijan | 18 |
| Bahamas | 18 |
Why should the voting age be lowered to 18?
The present-day youth are literate and enlightened and the lowering of the voting age would provide to the unrepresented youth of the country an opportunity to give vent to their feelings and help them become a part of the political process. It is, therefore, proposed to reduce the voting age from 21 years to 18 years.
What happens if you don’t vote in Australia?
If you do not vote at a State or local government election and you don’t have a valid reason, you will be fined $55. Apparent failure to vote notices are distributed within three months of an election event.
What is a valid reason for not voting in Australia?
The High Court gave some practical examples of what would be regarded as valid and sufficient reasons for not voting: Physical obstruction, whether of sickness or outside prevention, or of natural events, or accident of any kind, would certainly be recognised by law in such a case.
What was the original voting age?
The Twenty-sixth Amendment (Amendment XXVI) was ratified on July 1, 1971. It lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 and declared that “the right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.”
When was the voting age lowered?
The proposed 26th Amendment passed the House and Senate in the spring of 1971 and was ratified by the states on July 1, 1971.
In which year voting age was reduced?
21 years to 18 years.
Should voting age be reduced to 16?
Those in favour of giving 16-year-olds the vote believe that: Young people deserve the right to vote as decisions about the future have greater implications for them than for older people. Voting young will enhance the habit of participation.
What was voter turnout in Australia after World War 1?
After the First World War, there was a significant decline in voter turnout in Australia from 71 per cent at the 1919 election to less that 60 per cent at the 1922 election.
When do parents become more involved in politics?
Spikes in parental voting involvement occur when their children reach a voting age. If the voting age is lowered, parents would still likely follow this trend. 3. The involvement of more people creates more innovation. If you have 5 people in a room together, you have the potential for 5 different perspectives.
Why are schools not adequately preparing young Australians for Democracy?
Schools are not adequately preparing young Australians to participate in democracy Since 2004, the National Assessment Program on Civics and Citizens has measured student’s level of knowledge about the Australian Government, judiciary and democratic processes.
