Mixed message from same-sex marriage debate

theage.com.au | 6/4/2015 | Paul Sheehan

[NetAddicted]

You probably thought, as I did, that last week's same sex marriage referendum in Ireland was carried by an overwhelming 62 per cent vote majority in support of changing the constitution.

In fact, only 34 per cent of the adult population voted in support of the measure. There are 3.52 million Irish citizens of voting age, and 66 per cent of them did not vote "yes". Two-thirds of the adult population either voted "no", or did not vote, or did not register to vote.

[NetAddicted]

I never read this, until if ran across this article yesterday. I'm amazed this never made the news anywhere. I know there are lots of homosexual reporters, and -friendly ones, but nobody?

[NetAddicted]

Sorry, forgot to post link:
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/mixed-message-from-samesex-marriage-debate-20150603-ghfy8w.html

[all the best]

So you just discovered that elections and referendums are just about those who actually vote. Except in the old USSR and such others, not everybody votes. See U.S.A.

[Boogieman]

Doesn’t seem different than any other election. Unless the country has mandatory voting, there is always a large segment of the population that can’t be bothered to do it.

[Cboldt]

If you are part of the majority, or if the conduct of the rulers is little affected by the outcome of an election, then not voting is rational.

Mark Twain had it figured out, we wouldn't be allowed to vote if it made a difference.

I vote. Good time to mingle with friends and strangers. I'm on the losing side of the outcome about 80% of the time, so my vote itself is meaningless, except it legitimizes the outcome that I object to.

[dmz]

Dont know where you’re from, but the results of every election Ive ever seen only reference (and include in their percentages) those who vote.

[jjotto]

Ireland’s voter turnout for gay marriage referendum was over 60%, considered a high turnout for a referendum. It won by 62% to 38%. That’s the way things work.

Both sides can make a theoretical claim on the 40% that didn’t vote.

[Ray76]

I’ve heard that many ex-pats returned just to vote and then left.

[NetAddicted]

Where did you read 60% of the population voted, because this reporter is saying only 34% of the population voted. Of those 34%, 62% voted for same-sex mirage.

[NetAddicted]

Oops! Reread article. 34% of the Irish population voted for the referendum.

[jjotto]

He’s playing games with numbers that can be played the opposite way too:

http://electionsireland.org/results/referendum/refresult.cfm?ref=201534R