Lost in transit

I think that European elections are not really a benchmark for voter apathy or the lack thereof (yet). I don't know what the turnout in national elections is, but I would bet it is a lot higher. European elections aren't really about anything and they don't affect voters except perhaps in a very roundabout way. And talking of percentages: A turnout of 30% would be a miracle in any local election here in central Missouri.

michael, of course you're right: for the last big election here, the turnout was about double what it was for the european election. still, the euro election was enough of a blow to the leading party that the head of the party (the prime minister) resigned both from his post and from the head of his party.

i agree that it doesn't really affect the day-to-day lives of most voters in an appreciable way; still, neither do the girls from a "reality" TV show.

I think the problem of low voter turnout isn't restricted to the Czech republic, it's a condition pretty much affecting the whole of the western world. And you're right, more people vote for TV shows (Pop Idol, Big Brother) than they do for the people that are going to govern them.

When I lived in Australia I used to object to the fact that it was a democracy that made it COMPULSORY to vote - if you didn't you got slapped with a hefty fine. There's nothing like the threat of having to pay for your lack of inaction to make you physically get off your backside to cast your vote.

We just had mayoral elections here in London (in conjunction with the European election) and I considered not bothering because I'd had a long, hard day at work and just wanted to put my feet up in front of the telly. But then the guilt (and my Australian-you-MUST-vote-or-you'll-pay-for-it conscience) got the better of me and I went and did my civic duty.

Kim, is voter turnout in Australia appreciably higher? They give you *days* to vote here, instead of the one day stateside, and up until two weeks ago I had thought that might be a factor in the higher turnout. I also thought the fact that people were maybe excited about having a choice about the candidates might have been what had people showing up, but apparently not.

Some of it is surely that they're just so... boring! The man who looks most likely to replace Spidla is 34 years old, but he looks as dull as the older guys.

I used to think the "fine" idea was a bad one. At this point, I really think it might be something worth considering. A fine idea, so to speak. Especially if "none of the above" is an option, just so we can make clear: it's not that I don't want to vote, it's that I don't like what I see on the menu.

Anne, voter turnout is pretty much 100% - even if you are overseas you can vote at the local Australian embassy!

Funny you should make the reality TV link, Anne, a TV station here in Oz is planning to select a senate candidate via reality TV show for this year's election. No joke.

On the compulsory voting gig, that "hefty" fine is actually about $20 and is not imposed that often. A please explain letter is sent first and there are a number of acceptable excuses. But it's all such a palaver it's easier to just vote! Anyone mortally offended by being "forced" to vote (tell it to the suffragettes) is perfectly free to write that on their ballot paper instead of ticking the box, without fear of consequences.