Voter participation - what is your stance?

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Comments

  • I guess in my initial post I was mostly talking about the presidential election. This is the one I cannot participate in because I am not a citizen.
    The example with the liquor sale on Sunday stuns me and helps me understand more why people decide not to put their vote in sometimes. Like I said before I think I am allowed to vote in local elections. I should just go and practise :)
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Do, Leeze. Even just reading the ballot and information it contains. It's enlightening, though in a frustrating way.

    Honestly, I have a hard time with much of it, regardless of presidential or local fronts. Some of it is put forth in such a convoluted way, it almost seems intentional.
  • JimmyVJimmyV Posts: 19,171
    Of course I vote, because...
    hedonist said:

    Do, Leeze. Even just reading the ballot and information it contains. It's enlightening, though in a frustrating way.

    Honestly, I have a hard time with much of it, regardless of presidential or local fronts. Some of it is put forth in such a convoluted way, it almost seems intentional.

    It's absolutely intentional. Oftentimes the League of Women Voters will put out a handy booklet guide that spells out candidate's positions and ballot initiatives in easy to read detail. I find things like that to be very useful because even what a YES or NO vote on a ballot question means may not be what you think it means offhand. The more confusing they make the ballots the less likely voters are to cast informed votes. IMO.
    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,593
    Of course I vote, because...
    hedonist said:

    Free said:

    Can't help but attempt to get me to play your manipulative games...

    Not happening.

    Aw hell, now I need to bump the victim thread!
    No shit.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    Of course I vote, because...
    Shit, they can influence your vote with the official description of the issue. In Ohio, we had a marijuana legalization proposal and the description labeled it as "creating a monopoly" on the first sentence.
    It is a somewhat accurate, but very biased way of introducing a voter to a proposal.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • FrankieGFrankieG Posts: 9,100
    Of course I vote, because...
    I vote in every election because....
    it's the main way I can participate in our government.
    I hate when people complain about the system when they don't do their part and vote in every election.
    I am an informed member of society that wants my voice heard.
    2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
    2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
    2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
    2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    Of course I vote, because...
    hedonist said:

    Free said:

    Can't help but attempt to get me to play your manipulative games...

    Not happening.

    Aw hell, now I need to bump the victim thread!
    :giggle:
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • seanwonseanwon Posts: 471
    Of course I vote, because...
    ...of Supreme Court Justice nominations.
    1996: 9/29 Randall's Island 2,  10/1 Buffalo                  2000: 8/27 Saratoga Springs
    2003: 4/29 Albany,  5/2 Buffalo,  7/9 MSG 2                   2006: 5/12 Albany,  6/3 East Rutherford 2
    2008: 6/27 Hartford                 2009: 10/27 Philadelphia 1              2010: 5/15 Hartford,   5/21 MSG 2
    2013: 10/15 Worcester 1,  10/25 Hartford                       2014: 10/1 Cincinnati
    2016: 5/2 MSG 2,   8/5 Fenway 1,  11/7 Temple of the Dog MSG
    2018: 9/2 Fenway 1
    2020: 3/30 MSG             2022: 9/11 MSG            2023: 9/10 Noblesville
    2024: 9/3 MSG 1, 9/4 MSG 2 , 9/15 Fenway 1, 9/17 Fenway 2
  • JimmyVJimmyV Posts: 19,171
    Of course I vote, because...
    If you are in a Super Tuesday state I do hope you get out and vote today, but it isn't up to me or anyone else. The choice you make - whether it be to vote for a specific candidate or not at all - is entirely your own. Only you can make it. Don't let anyone pressure you, shame you, or judge you into a decision you don't believe in. This is how freedom works, and it comes in all shapes and sizes.
    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Rock on, Jimmy.
  • Of course I vote, because...
    vote in every canadian election. if I don't like any candidates,I spoil my ballot.
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • Of course I vote, because...

    i vote because if i don't i lose a little bit of the "freedom" that the candidates drone on and on about.

    i think national elections should be national holidays with compulsory voting. only then will the results be a true representation of the people.

    people will counter my opinion by stating that uninformed voters could sway the results based on the lies they hear in the media or at church or whatever, but i don't buy that.

    the only way you make people feel empowered, like they have some say or something, is to make every single one of them vote.

    how do you empower a group by forcing them to do something against their will?
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • Of course I vote, because...

    The two party system often creates a set of choices neither of which appeal to me. By not voting in that situation, that's my voice & vote. I'm not going to vote for a lesser of two evils just because I'm able to.

    To simply say "if you don't vote, you don't get to complain" or "your opinion isn't credible" is not a valid argument at all. It's a right, not an obligation. If I choose not to exercise that right, there's obviously valid reason(s) why.

    Personally I think uneducated voting, or party-line voting is more detrimental than not voting for one of two choices you don't agree with.

    not voting is not a voice or a vote. spoiling your ballot is your voice/vote if you don't like the choices.
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • jeffbrjeffbr Posts: 7,177
    Any time I hear somebody suggest that the feds compel us to do anything new, I will immediately oppose it simply based on the erosion of liberty. It is not the feds business to compel me to vote, and if I don't care enough to get off my ass and vote, then the country is probably better off for my non-vote. Years ago on the train I was called an elitist because I think people should have to put in some effort to vote, since it is such an important event. In my state (WA) they are now automatically registering people to vote if they get an enhanced drivers license. And there are no more polling places. Everything is done by mail-in ballot. Hopefully the people who don't care about voting don't even realize they're registered, and are too lazy to open the mail with their ballot in it. Voting should be done with care and study. Voting should be something that requires some degree of thought, education and effort. I'd love there to be at least a small test where pictures of the president and vice president are shown to a prospective voter, and they have to correctly identify them. If you don't know who is currently governing you, you have no business selecting the next leaders. I also believe that if you don't vote, you have no standing to bitch about the state of things. So I definitely encourage people to vote, but I also encourage them to read, think, and vote their conscience. It is a duty and obligation as a citizen, but I certainly won't suggest that one should be forced to vote.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Posts: 16,440
    edited March 2016
    I am undecided, because...
    I've given it a rest guys. I realize I didn't communicate correctly what I meant in my first post; I've tried to explain it over and over but you're all taking it way out of proportion. Everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that I HAVE VOTED IN EVERY ELECTION I'VE EVER BEEN ABLE TO VOTE IN.

    See you at the polls April 26.
    Post edited by HesCalledDyer on
  • newy777newy777 Posts: 89
    Voting by not voting is the most powerful thing a person can do. Look at what´s on offer. The liar Hillary, Sanders the guy who has no understanding of reality and Trump who is there as a result of the failure of the establishment. It´s a circus.. I´m not a citizen of USA but I can tell you one thing. I would definitely not give any of the nominees my vote. I could only vote if I sincerely had the option to vote for someone that was going to stand up and say this does not work.Someone with enough guts to tell the truth. Endless wars, too big to fail banks, federal reserve helicopter money.. People need to wake up that none of this is good for the world. Sanders would be a disaster for America.. How one human being could be so ignorant of generations to come is beyond me. Prosperity will be transferred from the future to now quicker than ever. Poor kids..America can´t afford him. Hillary, well she will go on destroying countries in the middle east. Has anyone checked out Libya lately. The western powers screwed up bigtime. How stupid are the ´big thinkers`of the world. Trump tells the truth and is very anti establishment but quite frankly would be scary if he into power. He is the result of a confused nation. If no-one voted it will send a great message. There is a big problem with democracy and that is the fact that the majority will always have it wrong. It´s sad but there is too much greed in this world. Don´t be short sighted. People need to take a very close look at themself before voting. Think about what it means. Think about the future we are giving to our children.
  • Of course I vote, because...
    not voting isn't powerful at all. it's nothing. it would only be something if ZERO people voted. and that's impossible. spoiling your ballot is a statement. not voting is the opposite of a statement.
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    I sure won't be voting for Clinton as I've stated I'm through with the Bush / Clinton regimes ruling over me.

    I'll have to check the constitution to see if clowns are eligible for POTUS. I have to imagine our forefathers never took the serious possibility of such an event occurring.

    Maybe Rupert from the TV show Survivor will decide to run ...
  • newy777newy777 Posts: 89
    HughFreakingDillion ,can you honestly say you are happy with what´s on offer? Sadly real change can only happen when it is too late. Voting for something I don´t agree with is pointless and by principle morally wrong.. I would vote when someone owns up to the real challenges and changes that will need to take place. The world needs a totally different monetary system and the wars have to stop straight away for starters. Not voting is something.. it´s morally right if the alternative is more of the same sh7t..
  • rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    Of course I vote, because...
    newy777 said:

    HughFreakingDillion ,can you honestly say you are happy with what´s on offer? Sadly real change can only happen when it is too late. Voting for something I don´t agree with is pointless and by principle morally wrong.. I would vote when someone owns up to the real challenges and changes that will need to take place. The world needs a totally different monetary system and the wars have to stop straight away for starters. Not voting is something.. it´s morally right if the alternative is more of the same sh7t..

    And if Ted Cruz the extremist gets elected and sets us back decades in terms of social justice??
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    Of course I vote, because...
    Then what?
    I doubt you will take responsibility for your role in making it happen, you will make excuses and justifications.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    Of course I vote, because...

    not voting isn't powerful at all. it's nothing. it would only be something if ZERO people voted. and that's impossible. spoiling your ballot is a statement. not voting is the opposite of a statement.

    Can you explain spoiling your ballot better? What do you mean?
  • Of course I vote, because...
    mark it improperly. like put a giant X on it, or draw a pig with lipstick, and submit it that way. it still gets counted (at least in Canada) and counts as a spoiled ballot. it's basically saying "I'm exercising my right to vote, but not for any of these clowns". it sends a message.
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • Of course I vote, because...
    newy777 said:

    HughFreakingDillion ,can you honestly say you are happy with what´s on offer? Sadly real change can only happen when it is too late. Voting for something I don´t agree with is pointless and by principle morally wrong.. I would vote when someone owns up to the real challenges and changes that will need to take place. The world needs a totally different monetary system and the wars have to stop straight away for starters. Not voting is something.. it´s morally right if the alternative is more of the same sh7t..

    you aren't listening. I'm not saying vote for someone you don't believe in. SPOIL YOUR BALLOT. that sends a message.
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • Of course I vote, because...
    Jason P said:

    I sure won't be voting for Clinton as I've stated I'm through with the Bush / Clinton regimes ruling over me.

    I'll have to check the constitution to see if clowns are eligible for POTUS. I have to imagine our forefathers never took the serious possibility of such an event occurring.

    Maybe Rupert from the TV show Survivor will decide to run ...

    you mean Chadwick?
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    edited March 2016
    Of course I vote, because...

    mark it improperly. like put a giant X on it, or draw a pig with lipstick, and submit it that way. it still gets counted (at least in Canada) and counts as a spoiled ballot. it's basically saying "I'm exercising my right to vote, but not for any of these clowns". it sends a message.

    So it's similar to what I said before about writing in whom you want, someone who's not on the ticket. Except you merely wreck havoc to your ballot. Gotcha.
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138

    Jason P said:

    I sure won't be voting for Clinton as I've stated I'm through with the Bush / Clinton regimes ruling over me.

    I'll have to check the constitution to see if clowns are eligible for POTUS. I have to imagine our forefathers never took the serious possibility of such an event occurring.

    Maybe Rupert from the TV show Survivor will decide to run ...

    you mean Chadwick?
    Yeah, that guy. Chadwick 2016!
  • MayDay10MayDay10 Posts: 11,727
    Of course I vote, because...
    I always vote no matter what. I dont understand why people do not vote.

    When possible, I do not vote on the D or R line.
  • newy777newy777 Posts: 89

    newy777 said:

    HughFreakingDillion ,can you honestly say you are happy with what´s on offer? Sadly real change can only happen when it is too late. Voting for something I don´t agree with is pointless and by principle morally wrong.. I would vote when someone owns up to the real challenges and changes that will need to take place. The world needs a totally different monetary system and the wars have to stop straight away for starters. Not voting is something.. it´s morally right if the alternative is more of the same sh7t..

    you aren't listening. I'm not saying vote for someone you don't believe in. SPOIL YOUR BALLOT. that sends a message.
    I see what you are saying.
  • FreeFree Posts: 3,562
    Of course I vote, because...

    newy777 said:

    HughFreakingDillion ,can you honestly say you are happy with what´s on offer? Sadly real change can only happen when it is too late. Voting for something I don´t agree with is pointless and by principle morally wrong.. I would vote when someone owns up to the real challenges and changes that will need to take place. The world needs a totally different monetary system and the wars have to stop straight away for starters. Not voting is something.. it´s morally right if the alternative is more of the same sh7t..

    you aren't listening. I'm not saying vote for someone you don't believe in. SPOIL YOUR BALLOT. that sends a message.
    Sends a much better message than staying home and not voting. No one's gonna wonder where you are when votes are being counted. But they see the write ins and spoiled ones.
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