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by inopinatus 3142 days ago
Yes I can. Here in Australia we've just held a non-compulsory national poll (technically a survey not a vote, although it's been debated in public as though it were a plebiscite) on making the legislative changes to permit same-sex marriage. The turnout is 78.5% of eligible voters, thereby exceeding the Brexit voter participation rate.

NB: The comparison may be confounded by local behavioural standards. Participation in this survey wasn't compulsory, but Australia has mandatory voting in most local and national elections. So there may be a prevailing culture of compliance. Nevertheless, a cursory review of the popular press suggests the turnout is substantially higher than that expected by most pundits.

2 comments

People could be more passionate about the issue. With Brexit people didn't care as much. Im even doubtful it will really make much of a difference looking at it backwards 10 years from now.
I had no idea. My claim was clearly hyperbole but I think the substance of the point still stands... it was a high turnout.