Daryl wrote:I'd never claim that my country (Australia) is perfect, but our system does seem to be better in this. Firstly it is compulsory to both register after age 18, and to vote.
The registration process does require ID, but after your name is put on the rolls, it is no longer required. On the day to vote you go to your preferred polling station, where your name is crossed off that paper copy, you are given a ballot form, you vote, and then often buy a snack (cooked sausage in bread) from a charity stall on the way out.
There is potential for minor fraud by going from polling station to station and voting multiple times, however across decades and the country it is passing rare.
A funny example of bureaucracy happened many years ago to us. Our voting had changed from over 21 to over 18, yet when my wife moved in with me, and changed her address on the roll, she used an old form stating that she was over 21. It was rejected, as she had to use the new form stating she was over 18.
Part of the problem here is that we have a political party who over time seems to be running out of steam and voter suppression is their way of patching the boiler. Their core constituency right now is reacting to demographic change which has made for tense times.
Don
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