Rock the vote

[ATM]

This is the first time in my life I have registered to vote (and plan to do so.)
I have relished the many arguments that my non-voting attitude has sparked. I wonder how many have similar history or are currently still there? I am not looking for argument so much as letting you all know that I have been slowly and surely moved from apathy by many of the members' writings and actions on this forum. I will follow up later with a small assortment of my past (and lingering) issues that kept me from the polls and a few knee-jerk responses I've heard that barely warranted debate (except for the love of the game)

Feel free to chastise my past but be aware that this thread is intended to address real mindsets that still prevail and can be defended. A more effective plan to bring others along is more desirable than just a good argument. I have been active in other ways but not at the polls. I will start with my long running #1 reason and add more later:

The whole electoral system is broken. My vote doesn't count.


ETA: OK, I'll throw in my favorite (easily refuted) knee-jerk response as well:

If you don't vote, you have no right to complain.

(Please don't use that one on a thinking non-voter.)

[dburkhead]

Don't look at where the candidates are the same. Look at where they're different. Unless the candidates have exactly the same voting records, exactly the same history, exactly the same positions, on every issue that the office they are seeking may touch upon, then there actually is a choice to be made. And that choice is where your vote comes in.

When you don't vote, imagine for a moment that you were put into a situation where if you didn't find some point of difference between the candidates, some deciding factor that would make one better, worse, less bad, whatever, than the other, that all manner of horrible things would happen--you'd get incurable athlete's foot, poison ivy in sensitive places, your dog would die, whatever is suitably intolerable to drive you to make your best effort at picking form the available candidates. Now look at the opponent most likely to be able to beat that best effort choice because that's who you are voting for by not voting.


I've done "protest" votes before. Indeed, I did that in 2004 because I didn't like either of the main Presidential candidates and there really wasn't any risk of Indiana going to what I considered then and still consider the worse choice. However, I won't do that this time because the Indiana race (per the polls at this time) is too close and as much as I dislike either of the two main candidates I do consider one significantly worse. And so, I'll hold my nose and vote for the lesser of two evils once again.

[turnandshoot4]

Glad to hear you are voting. No matter what way you go, it's your duty.

[Bubbajms]

Back before the world was so complicated, there weren't so many issues to be dealt with. Nowadays, as David said, you don't vote for who you like - you vote for who you dislike the least..

[NateIU10]

This is the first time I will be eligible to vote (I'm 20). Glad to hear you will be voting also

[TomN]

Ahh I remember the first time I voted. I voted for Reagan.

[Mr.Hoppes]

I would like to un-register to Vote. In fact denouncing my citizenship is beginning to look good. Neither of the candidates offers much hope for this country, and I do not think it really matters which one gets in. This country needs to be humbled before any meaningful change will ever happen.

I always suspected I would end up running to Canada some day, I just never imagined it would be from our Government or lack there of.

Spell checked and grammar checked for those who give a snot.

[Mr.Hoppes]

Originally Posted by TomN

Ahh I remember the first time I voted. I voted for Reagan.

SO YOUR THE ONE!! Quick guys.... pants him!!!



First time I voted it was for Jack Daniels over Beer. Money was tight back then, couldn't even afford to have a decent chaser.

[TomN]

Originally Posted by Mr.Hoppes

SO YOUR THE ONE!! Quick guys.... pants him!!!

Careful! I might be going "commando"!

[techres]

Mr. Hoppes, I feel for you. I do not like my options and know more about what I am not doing than what I am. Frankly, the debates are not helping at all.

But it is my duty to vote, and I will. I just may have to take some serious time in the booth. I wish real candidates had come on the stage this election. We REALLY could have used a good set of choices to choose from.