Sir, – Perhaps it is time to consider compulsory voting, with fines for offenders.
I’ve even thought of a spurious “Yes” argument for this, based on my own “back-of-an-envelope” financial calculations. If 60 per cent of an electorate of three million must pay a €50 fine for not voting, that makes €90 million in fines. Even allowing for those with a valid excuse, or who those simply won’t pay, many millions could be raised every year! Come to think of it, given that there were two referendums last Friday, wouldn’t that then make each non-voter liable for €100, as being guilty on two counts of failing to exercise their franchise? The same would apply next year, with local and European elections scheduled.
I jest, of course, but the fact that so many people do not vote is something that surely must be addressed. – Yours, etc,
SEAN BELLEW,
Upper Faughart,
Dundalk,
Co Louth.