Should Expats be given the right to vote?

Langeveldt · 15-03-2009, 04:11 AM

A thorny issue in South Africa, the constitutional court has just allowed Expats the right to vote.. I'm 50/50 on it really, while they are more likely to vote for the opposition which is a good thing, I don't think someone who has given up their interest in a country and no longer contributes towards it should be allowed to have a say in how it is run.. I for example wouldn't dream of voting in the UK election, a country I don't contribute towards, so shouldn't have a say in IMO..

I don't think people who haven't been to South Africa for years should be allowed to have a say in things that affect us here on a day to day basis.

BoyBrumby · 15-03-2009, 04:16 AM

I think it depends on where you live for the majority of the time. If you've upped sticks completely and moved abroad to settle it seems a little counter-intuitive that you get to vote on issues that don't affect you directly anymore. To use the current idiom, expats aren't stake-holders in the same way residents are.

_Ed_ · 15-03-2009, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Langeveldt

I don't think someone who has given up their interest in a country and no longer contributes towards it should be allowed to have a say in how it is run.

Yeah, I agree.

I also think the 'one vote for all' concept should stretch across national boundaries. I don't like the idea of some people being able to vote in elections of more than one country.

luffy · 15-03-2009, 05:02 AM

awta.

Craig · 15-03-2009, 05:28 AM

I can vote in the New Zealand election, but I never have. Because as BB said, there is no need, as none of John Key's policies have any impact over my life, but for example Kevin Rudd's policies does.

social · 15-03-2009, 05:35 AM

Lived as an expat for years and I dont think that I should be able to vote in Oz elections as the policies of the Australian goverment have absolutely no impact upon me PLUS the ****ers would probably make me pay tax on my earnings in my adopted homeland if they granted me the right to do so

andyc · 15-03-2009, 05:39 AM

Haha, at first I thought you meant should they have a right to vote in the country they're currently staying in.

But definitely, 100% yes. I'm not sure how it's going to work there in South Africa, but I like the Australian system: it's compulsory to vote if you're actually living in Australia, but if you are an expat, you don't have to vote if you don't want to. That way, if you are still interested in your home country, you can go ahead and vote, but if you're not, no worries.

Goughy · 15-03-2009, 08:18 AM

Whilst you are a citizen of a country you should be able to vote in its elections.

Whether you live there or not isnt important, they still represent you as a citizen. You can also return anytime you wish and have an important role in shaping how you want your country to be.

Protean · 15-03-2009, 12:23 PM

The way it was before even people on a working-holiday who were only away for a short, defined period couldn't vote. Much better to do away with all the restrictions on who can and can't, it's too easy to exclude people, seems unlikely that people who aren't coming back will bother anyway.

Sanz · 15-03-2009, 04:12 PM

Yes.

G.I.Joe · 15-03-2009, 04:50 PM

Only if they're paying their taxes in their native country.

Son Of Coco · 15-03-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goughy

Whilst you are a citizen of a country you should be able to vote in its elections.

Whether you live there or not isnt important, they still represent you as a citizen. You can also return anytime you wish and have an important role in shaping how you want your country to be.

Yeah I agree with this, I can vote in the Australian elections if I want while living overseas. One thing that did grate a bit though was English expats voting for a monarchy when we had the referendum on a republic a few years back. Admittedly, the system put forward for changing to a republic was somewhat flawed. But hearing people with posh English accents talking up the Queen on TV made me want to shout "If you like her so much, **** off back home!"

James · 15-03-2009, 08:33 PM

The way it works in New Zealand or so I've been told is that you can't vote if you've been living out of NZ for 4+ years.

Come the next NZ election, I won't be able to vote and I'm an NZ Citizen.

Would imagine you can't vote either Craig.

Anil · 15-03-2009, 08:43 PM

i believe they should, as long as they remain citizens..

Burgey · 15-03-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by social

Lived as an expat for years and I dont think that I should be able to vote in Oz elections as the policies of the Australian goverment have absolutely no impact upon me PLUS the ****ers would probably make me pay tax on my earnings in my adopted homeland if they granted me the right to do so

I know how you vote, and I agree you shouldn't

15-03-2009, 04:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Langeveldt Soutie Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Stellenbosch - South Africa Posts: 29,336	Should Expats be given the right to vote? A thorny issue in South Africa, the constitutional court has just allowed Expats the right to vote.. I'm 50/50 on it really, while they are more likely to vote for the opposition which is a good thing, I don't think someone who has given up their interest in a country and no longer contributes towards it should be allowed to have a say in how it is run.. I for example wouldn't dream of voting in the UK election, a country I don't contribute towards, so shouldn't have a say in IMO.. I don't think people who haven't been to South Africa for years should be allowed to have a say in things that affect us here on a day to day basis.

15-03-2009, 04:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
BoyBrumby Englishman Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Doing the stance Posts: 42,658	I think it depends on where you live for the majority of the time. If you've upped sticks completely and moved abroad to settle it seems a little counter-intuitive that you get to vote on issues that don't affect you directly anymore. To use the current idiom, expats aren't stake-holders in the same way residents are. __________________ *- As featured in The Independent.* "This is not the time for namby-pamby promising youngsters who might just do something; not the time for building for the future. Pragmatism rules and they don't come more pragmatic than Rogers." - Victor Marks makes the case for stiff-legged and stiff-armed 35 year old left-handers in Ashes squads

15-03-2009, 08:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
Goughy International Coach Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: All Over Posts: 14,658	Whilst you are a citizen of a country you should be able to vote in its elections. Whether you live there or not isnt important, they still represent you as a citizen. You can also return anytime you wish and have an important role in shaping how you want your country to be. __________________ If I only just posted the above post, please wait 5 mins before replying as there is bound to be edits West Robham Rabid Wolves Caedere lemma quod eat lemma Happy Birthday! (easier than using Birthday threads) Email and MSN- Goughy at cricketmail dot net

15-03-2009, 08:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
James Cricket Web Owner Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 22,310	The way it works in New Zealand or so I've been told is that you can't vote if you've been living out of NZ for 4+ years. Come the next NZ election, I won't be able to vote and I'm an NZ Citizen. Would imagine you can't vote either Craig. __________________ Follow Cricket Web on Facebook Follow Cricket Web on Twitter Email - james.nixon@cricketweb.net Moderators - moderators@cricketweb.net (will go to all moderators) Skype - nixonja@hotmail.com Google Talk/Facebook - cricketweb@gmail.com

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15-03-2009, 05:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
luffy International Captain Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: **** Posts: 5,353	awta.

15-03-2009, 05:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
social International Coach Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 11,081	Lived as an expat for years and I dont think that I should be able to vote in Oz elections as the policies of the Australian goverment have absolutely no impact upon me PLUS the ****ers would probably make me pay tax on my earnings in my adopted homeland if they granted me the right to do so

15-03-2009, 12:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Protean State Regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 941	The way it was before even people on a working-holiday who were only away for a short, defined period couldn't vote. Much better to do away with all the restrictions on who can and can't, it's too easy to exclude people, seems unlikely that people who aren't coming back will bother anyway.

15-03-2009, 04:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Sanz Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: USA Posts: 16,228	Yes.

15-03-2009, 04:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
G.I.Joe International Coach Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: India Posts: 10,223	Only if they're paying their taxes in their native country.

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