# FILE NAME: 00001757.soc
# TITLE: Should the government fine every citizen who does not vote in elections? [fd8c46156de3bbfbd3059d83e4e96085]
# DESCRIPTION: 
# DATA TYPE: soc
# MODIFICATION TYPE: original
# RELATES TO: 
# RELATED FILES: 
# PUBLICATION DATE: 2025-10-12
# MODIFICATION DATE: 2025-10-12
# NUMBER ALTERNATIVES: 4
# NUMBER VOTERS: 5
# NUMBER UNIQUE ORDERS: 3
# ALTERNATIVE NAME 1: Statement 1 - 
# ALTERNATIVE NAME 2: Statement 2 - In general, the group was opposed to the idea of fining people who do not vote in elections. The group felt that people should have the right to vote or not to vote. The group felt that people should be encouraged to vote but not forced to vote. The group felt that the issue of people not voting was not as big an issue as some people make out. The group felt that people should vote if they are interested in politics and the future of the country. The group felt that some people are not interested in politics and they should not be forced to vote. The group felt that some people might not be in the country on the day of the election and they should not be fined. The group felt that some people might be sick on the day of the election and they should not be fined. The group felt that some people might not be able to get to a polling booth on the day of the election and they should not be fined. The group felt that some people might not be able to get time off work to vote and they should not be fined. The group felt that some people might not be able to get childcare to vote and they should not be fined. The group felt that some people might not be able to get
# ALTERNATIVE NAME 3: Statement 3 - In general, the group was opposed to the idea of fining people who did not vote in elections. There were a number of reasons for this. Firstly, it was felt that fining people who did not vote was not in keeping with the idea of a democratic society. Secondly, it was felt that there were a number of reasons why people did not vote and that these should be taken into account. For example, it was felt that people who were ill or hospitalised should not be fined for not voting. Thirdly, it was felt that fining people who did not vote would not necessarily result in the best candidates being elected. It was felt that people should be free to vote for the candidate of their choice and that fining people who did not vote would not necessarily result in the best candidate being elected. Finally, it was felt that there were a number of practical difficulties with fining people who did not vote. For example, it was felt that it would be difficult to administer such a system.
# ALTERNATIVE NAME 4: Statement 4 - “We have debated the issue of fining non-voters in elections. We are of the view that fining citizens for not voting in an election would be undemocratic. We believe that every citizen has the right to vote, but that this is a personal choice and should not be taken for granted. This is one of the fundamental rights of a citizen in a democracy and cannot be forced on people by the state. We are concerned that if people are forced to vote by being fined, they will not cast their vote for the person or party they would have voted for otherwise. There are some people who have genuine reasons for not being able to vote and fining them for this is wrong. There are also people who simply do not know which party they would vote for or who the candidates are in their constituency. This is another reason for which it would be wrong to fine these people. Lastly, there are some people who are unhappy with the democratic process in their country and do not wish to be involved. This may include people who have been unhappy with the way elections are run or people who do not feel they are being listened to by the government or political system. They are therefore choosing to protest through not voting and should
3: 3,4,2,1
1: 1,2,3,4
1: 4,3,2,1