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Voting

post #1 of 39
4/27/07 at 8:10pm
Thread Starter 
I'm curious to learn who on here votes and who doesn't. In Australia it's compulsory, which I think is fantastic.

Voting is a right and a privilege, but it's also a responsibility that we should be expected to discharge.

I know that in America it is not compulsory, but Max and I were discussing this the other night and we agreed that we think this coming election will see a record, overwhelming number of voters participate. I really think that almost your entire country will vote in this election. But I'm probably wrong so I'd like to know what you think!

Despite all the terrible things happening in the world, current events do seem to have galvanised otherwise apathetic citizens to action. And this can only be a good thing.

What do you think? Do you vote? Do you exercise your right not to vote? If so, why?
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post #2 of 39
4/27/07 at 8:15pm
I have voted in every major election (and most local ones) since I turned 18.
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post #3 of 39
4/27/07 at 8:38pm
Yup, I sure do vote! I'm WAY too opinionated not to vote.
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post #4 of 39
4/27/07 at 9:46pm
With the exception of a few minor bond elections, I have voted in EVERY election, since 1976. My picks don't always win but, I HAVE made the effort.
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post #5 of 39
4/27/07 at 11:35pm
Yes, I vote. As in the US, it is not compulsory in Canada, but I figure if you don't exercise that right, you forfeit the right to complain about the outcome.
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post #6 of 39
4/27/07 at 11:43pm
I wish it were compulsory here. So many complain and do nothing to make things better.

Of course, our country has a long history of denying/preventing the right to vote so making it compulsory would be silly Maybe in another hundred years.

I vote in the elections. The first time I voted, I voted for Regan! EEK! I didn't know anything about the process, just followed what others around me were doing. I have taken a vow to make up for that by never ever voting Republican again
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post #7 of 39
4/27/07 at 11:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rapunzel47 View Post
I figure if you don't exercise that right, you forfeit the right to complain about the outcome.
I agree! I hear people complaining all the time. When asked how they vote, they say they don't bother, that it doesn't matter. I figure my vote cancels out my mother's vote
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post #8 of 39
4/28/07 at 1:33am
hmm, depends on whats going on. if i vote in local stuff and if the line is not hugh when i get out of work.

for the presdent yea, i tend vote, but i did sit out the last one, cause i could n not in good faith vote for bush. And i really think kerry needed to be in jail for being a traitor, some choice we had there.
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post #9 of 39
4/28/07 at 2:18am
I always vote, women fought hard in the past for the right to vote, and others have said if you don't vote you don't have any right to complain. So I can jump up and down and moan about Blair as much as I like
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post #10 of 39
4/28/07 at 4:21am
I vote in every election... sometimes it's just me and a pole worker.

One of the reasons I did in college is that the League of Women Voters had a master baker and she'd make these amazing brownies. I guess she'd do what ever it takes.
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post #11 of 39
4/28/07 at 6:06am
I am now a voter. I voted in the presidential election in 2004 and primaries (which included for our state government) in 2006.

I'm definitely looking forward to 2008!!!
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post #12 of 39
4/28/07 at 6:17am
As soon as I turned 18, I registered to vote. Whenever I have moved, one of the first things that I've done is update my registration. The past few years, I have voted by mail. It is so much easier, to sit on my couch and go through the ballot, at my leisure. Being a news junkie, my decisions are ususally made, long before the election.
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post #13 of 39
4/28/07 at 12:56pm
I don't understand how people can moan and groan about taxes, domestic and foreign policy, trade agreements, etc., and then not exercise their right to vote. I wasn't eligible to vote for a very long time because I live overseas, but once the U.S. changed its voting laws to allow overseas voters, I re-registered (with a different party) and began to vote in state and federal elections again by absentee ballot. It's quite easy to keep up on issues and candidates online.
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post #14 of 39
4/28/07 at 1:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rapunzel47 View Post
Yes, I vote. As in the US, it is not compulsory in Canada, but I figure if you don't exercise that right, you forfeit the right to complain about the outcome.
same here and as a UK citizen I still vote back home through postal ballot also
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post #15 of 39
4/28/07 at 9:55pm
I have voted every major election since 1980 and most of the smaller local elections. If you don't vote, you should not be allowed to voice your opinion in any political matter. I vote because it's my obligation as a citizen to participate in the process to place people in office that represent the majority view of the country. Its also one of the most fundamentally patriotic things to do.
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post #16 of 39
4/28/07 at 10:29pm
I only vote when I actually have researched each candidate and item on that ballot ... have yet to vote in a pres election cause I feel there hasnt been anyone worth voting for
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post #17 of 39
4/29/07 at 3:53am
I always vote for the reasons others have mentioned. Even if I don't particularly like any of the options I know I'm going to get one of them so I may as well vote for the least worst option! There are too many people who have fought for my right to vote for me to not bother. I remember the first time I voted - general election 1979 (and yes, I'll admit I voted for Margaret Thatcher! ) - I was so excited as I'd only turned 18 the previous month.

I'm usually a presiding officer at a polling station so I always hope for a good turnout as it makes my day marginally less boring! I'm praying for good weather on Thursday! (local elections over here)
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post #18 of 39
4/29/07 at 6:44am
I have in the past chose not to vote for anyone and wrote 'none of the above' on my ballot - a spolied ballot is not a wasted ballot but I refuse to be a ststistic in low voter turnout
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post #19 of 39
4/29/07 at 7:01am
I have voted since I was eligible in 1980. The smaller local stuff I didn't do so much (easier since these have become mail-in elections). I refuse to not have my say in what is going on.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next US elections with turnout. With Bush not eligible, the Democrats will have a harder time getting people out to vote (hatred is a great motivator and I don't see the current candidates inspiring that yet). If Hilary Clinton is nominated, then the Republicans will do a good job of getting the voters to go because of people hating her as much as the Dems hate Bush.
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post #20 of 39
4/29/07 at 8:15am
I always vote

Doesn't matter who you vote for though- the Govt always get in
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post #21 of 39
4/29/07 at 9:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharky View Post
I only vote when I actually have researched each candidate and item on that ballot ... have yet to vote in a pres election cause I feel there hasnt been anyone worth voting for
i agree with that.
i will still show up to vote for issues and stuff, but like the last presdent election
how to vote when you dont like the choices that you are given?

that why i keep saying dem and rep, must have someone better they can pout up
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post #22 of 39
4/29/07 at 10:14am
1976 was the first I was eligible to vote and have only missed one election, last year's primary, because of my accident. From 1992 until last year, I have also worked the polls as a clerk. (The accident occurred as Mom and I were on our way home from a poll worker training session.) I hope to be able to work the 2008 primary and election.
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post #23 of 39
4/29/07 at 3:40pm
>slips gemlady $20 to swing the vote<
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post #24 of 39
4/29/07 at 3:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by alice_curiouser View Post
I have voted in every major election (and most local ones) since I turned 18.


But I don't always cast a vote for every race - sometimes my lack of a vote IS a vote. My ballot gets counted.

I don't think the turnout for this election will be that much higher than any others. Bush is already a lame duck, and the only candidates we have are rich people, who generally don't live like most of the population.

I know LOTS of people that are so fed up with the BS that is handed down to the American public that they dropped out of voting, and let their registrations lapse. Sad state of affairs, when the pols force people into NOT caring anymore.
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post #25 of 39
4/29/07 at 6:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by silentNate View Post
>slips gemlady $20 to swing the vote<
Mom has been sheriff and would promptly boot you out the door!
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post #26 of 39
4/29/07 at 7:36pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GingersMom View Post
But I don't always cast a vote for every race - sometimes my lack of a vote IS a vote. My ballot gets counted.
That's exactly right. Exercising your right NOT to vote is just as important - at least you still go in and enter your choice.
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post #27 of 39
4/30/07 at 2:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by icklemiss21 View Post
I have in the past chose not to vote for anyone and wrote 'none of the above' on my ballot - a spolied ballot is not a wasted ballot but I refuse to be a ststistic in low voter turnout
That would be a wasted vote over here - spoiled ballot papers are discarded and don't count in any way.
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post #28 of 39
4/30/07 at 3:52am
I vote any and every time there is something to vote for.

I have always felt if you don't vote then you don't have a right to complain about how something is being done.
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post #29 of 39
4/30/07 at 3:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by urbantigers View Post
That would be a wasted vote over here - spoiled ballot papers are discarded and don't count in any way.
same here, but they still count people who 'collect' their ballot paper. So there is a difference between the voter turnout number and actual votes - I would rather be one of them than seen as apathetic and not showing up. They just don't see it as 'oh they are exercising their choice not to vote' they just see it as not showing up.

I still (personally) prefer it over not showing up to an election, but then I did my final paper in voter turnout so it is a pet peeve of mine
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post #30 of 39
4/30/07 at 5:55am
Too many people in North America don't vote and then complain about the status of things. IMO - you don't have a right to complain if you didn't exercise your right to vote. I vote every election, federal, provincial and municiple. I don't necessarily vote along party lines, but for the best person in my riding to represent me.
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