I received the following email, and gave the reply. It think the points are important so worth being considered.
Im not a Jehovah, but I do have a very good friend who is ... we were both wondering what happens to Jehovah’s in Australia if they do not vote, since in America they do not have to vote. Do you get fines? What happens if a Jehovah Witness goes against the teaching of you religion and does vote?
Thanks for your enquiry. In Australia, there is a small fine of about $20 for not voting. However, when they send the fine you can get out of paying by claiming to be a “conscientious objector.” On the form, a Witness would write something such as “I wish to exercise my right not to vote as a conscientious objector. We recognize that only Jehovah is our king. We support no other government as these shall soon be destroyed. Daniel 2:44”
In regards to voting, the Elders Book (ks91-E) pp.96,140 says;
“They do not interfere with what others do as to voting in political elections, running for or campaigning for political offices, joining non-neutral organizations, shouting political slogans, and so forth. (w86 9/1 pp. 19- 20; w68 6/1 pp. 351-2) Since true dedicated Christians are "no part of the world," if a member of the congregation unrepentantly pursues a course in violation of his Christian neutrality, he thereby disassociates himself from the neutral Christian congregation. (John 15:19; 17:14-16; w82 1/15 p. 31)”
However, this was changed in the Watchtower 1999 11/1 p.28, with voting becoming a conscience matter.
“As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of his responsibility to God and to the State.”
As Jehovah does not direct the Watchtower Society, it constantly changes its rulings. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been fined and jailed for not voting. Others have been disassociated for voting, loosing their family and friends. In Malawi, thousands of Witnesses were killed for not holding a political card. Now, the Watchtower has changed its mind and said it is not that bad after all. It shows just how dangerous religious institutions such as the Watchtower are, that claim to act for God and manipulate its members.