The Native Iowan

But this aint the USofA. Voting here is very well organised, and yes, you need an ID. It’s easy, they know who you are, once you are on the list. Technically it’s illegal to NOT vote here In Australia. You fail to vote you get fined 55bucks. They do know who you are here in Aus.

I know a number of people that have forgotten or neglected to register to vote. They dont appear to suffer from their law breaking.

When I became an Aussie citizen I was given a pretty impressive info pack that led me through the labyrinth of services, registrations, benefits and more. I have a Medicare card. The medical benefits are worthy. I have a senior citizen card that gets me discounts on my car insurance, but little else than cheap hair cuts and discount coffee.

For folks that are of a mono-democratic mindset, here in Aus we have a parliamentary system within a preferential voting system. Nothing like the USA or the Solomons. Both run a “first past the post” electoral system. He with the mostest votes at the end of counting wins… no matter that a single constituency with only 5000 electors, running 10 nominees can elect a “winner” with only 501/ 10+% of the vote.

Here in Aus you must “preference” your votes… 1 for your favourite, 2 for the next choice, and so on… my constituency had 8 candidates. I had to number each.

If my #1vote does not get enough votes in the first counting, my preference #2vote gets my vote… and so on, until a winner emerges with a clear majority.

And such it is…

I am casting my vote early and by mail:

Last thought: I simply do not understand why the USA does not adopt a clear, transparent and functional electoral system.

More later