Welcome to Tuesday Debate Day for September 25, 2012! This is an open forum for you to give your input into the political discourse. This week we’ll examine an issue that was brought up as a side note within a press conference held by Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand.
The Chief Electoral Officer is the person responsible for overseeing federal elections. Simply stated, his job is to make sure everyone follows the rules set out in the Canadian Elections Act. When an infraction is suspected or detected, the Chief Electoral Officer investigates and reports back to Parliament, often with recommendations on how to proceed. From there Parliament will decided whether to send the matter to a committee for further investigation or to the court system for a legal ruling on the matter in question. An interesting fact about the Chief Electoral Officer is that he or she is one of two resident Canadians over the age of 18 who can not vote. Can you name the other resident Canadian who is ineligible to vote? (Answer at the bottom)
During Marc Mayrand’s press conference he noted that there is widespread apathy amongst youth, which he fears is not simply a temporary rebellion. He believes this is particularly unsettling and does not bode well for the future of our country. One solution to this problem, although not currently being pursued by Elections Canada, would be to legislate compulsory voting. This is where our debate question for this week comes from: should voting be made mandatory in Canada?
Compulsory Voting would entail a system where the public are required to vote in elections, or at least attend a polling station, on voting day. If an eligible voter does not participate, without a valid reason, he or she would be in violation of the law and subject to punishments like fines, community service, or even prison time.
What do you think, should everyone have to vote?
Add your comment and join the conversation! (Scroll over the photo below for the answer to the trivia question)
Politix Brain Storm 
I don’t know,
it seems like trying to force people to do things winds up with:
A) Blatant defiance
B) Something like Stockholm Syndrome
C) Still not getting quite what was wanted. (Close but no cigar)
I hear ya, especially the close but no cigar part. I imagine votes for “Micky Mouse” would skyrocket.
Although spoiled ballets would be an accepted form of that blatant defiance. Which begs the question, if it is condoned, is it still defiant?