Regarding this weekend's presidential elecction - Is it mandatory to vote in Italy?
446122
No, it's not mandatory. No consequencies if you don't vote.
872137
By law, employers are required to give employees time to vote.  And early voting is permitted. \n\nI do think Saturday election days would bring more people to the polls.  Many people end up missing the deadline because of work, traffic, etc.
892390
It is imperative that people vote this year and that's why so many people are turning out.  The direction of American leadership must change to slow the progress towards fascism.\n\nThe US Constitution has been dismantle.  Your right to prove you don't belong in jail was abolished last month.   And the government has signed into law, wiretapping EVERYONE's phones and computers and has approved forms of torture.\n\nNext year they will institute national ID cards with infra red tracking capabilities and possibly, your fingerprints.  You will no longer be able to travel out of the country without signed government permission. When they come to usher you out of your home on an "emergency" will you wind up here:\n\nhttp://www.sianews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1062
137016
I think that if we don't vote out Berlusconi at next elections, fascism is coming back. He seriously threatens our democracy, and Calderoli, besides being an idiot, is also a minister of Berlusconi's government.\nClick on the links below to see what PBS television and Freedom House say about Berlusconi and freedom of press in Italy.
447518
Prodi will win, but Berlusconi is hilarious. The Berlusconi insults Prodi with classic Italian machismo is very entertaining.
417015
shwo the italian authorities that you an spell things right.\n\n\nand, i guess, get a citizenship!
1051273
It should not be. Nor do I think voting should be a requirement to voice your opinion.\n\nA vote is saying that you affirmatively approve one candidate over another. If none of the people on the ballot are ones that I actually support, I wouldn't vote for them.\n\nHowever, because I am still stuck with whatever laws the majority-elected government chooses to enact,  I absolutely have the right to voice my opinion about those. Especially since I don't actually have the opportunity to vote for most of those laws directly.
1094293
Absolutely, if you do not vote then do not complain. You voice is through voting. Vote, work on campaigns, talk to your friends, if you have them, about your candidate, place signs in yard if Homeowners Association will allow. I worked on my 1st campaign when I was 15 yrs old & 35 yrs later I still try to support them. I hate stuffing enevolpes - always have. I study all the candidates & pick the one that will vote most closely to my beliefs. Then I try to trust & support them after voting for them.
730317
Yes. You can just vote for part of the ballot.
428698
http://www.enewsreference.com/news/italy.htm
1161740
What is an "ecetoral" vote? \n\nThis is like taking your car to a mechanic because it won't run and saying the stractor is gefunked.\n\nWhat you will end up with is a flivver job you didn't need.  Get it straight.
366677
Given the way Italian coalition governments tend to operate, I'll be surprised if he lasts for *one* year.\n\nSilvio Berlusconi is the exception to the rule, and a lot of his success has been involving adroit political maneuvering.  I don't think Prodi has the capability to follow Berlusconi's methods.  And with the likelihood of this being a razor-thin margin means the slightest real upset could very easily force the government to call for new elections.  Italian governments are not known for their stability.
17398
I agree with the above two posters. Here is a link to some additional information:\n\nhttp://www.italiamerica.org/id72.htm
1176268
Absolutely-Go, Italia!
674871
there is an election commission. it declares date of election. after that leaders of various political parties distributes money,wine,gifts etc........ people will vote for the leader who distribute more money
780410
It is too late. The races will be won or lost tonight. No one will care about votes that come in after that. If you DO have an absentee ballot, it will tell you by what date you have to mail it. Think about it, elections are decided today. Your ballot gets in Thursday. Will it matter then? NO. Consider the case of absentee ballots in Florida during the last presidential election. Get to the polls NOW.
479716
Yes - I find the whole process fascinating.  I also believe that voting is an informed decision making process, so I keep up with local, state and national issues so I can make an informed decision.  How can a person complain about the state of things in their city, state and country if they are not well informed as to what is going on AND they don't vote!  If you don't exercise your right to vote, you shouldn't complain about the state of things.