I have voted in every election since the age for voting was lowered from 21 to 18. I do not understand why someone would not vote? I just don’t get it. There are millions, maybe billions, of people in this world that are unable to participate in a free election. I may be wrong, but I think that we are the only nation on Earth where its citizens can vote directly for their president. Why wouldn’t someone want to participare in doing that?
I vote in every election, regardless of whether it’s an “off-year” or not, and for that reason you cite, Bill. I figure it’s my civic duty, and I remember that people died so that I can cast my vote.
I believe that Election Day should be a holiday. Federal offices should be closed, businesses should be closed, and we vote in person (except for those who absolutely cannot make it in person). And we verify who we are. That’s how important this right and its exercise are.
We had our primaries in May, and there was no problem at all, at least not in our precinct and polling station.
In the entire history of mankind, our system is an abnormality. How long we will last, who knows? But yes, vote. Even if you’re outnumbered in your area and all of your votes are for naught. At least you can grumble honestly that you did your part.
Interesting. In Australia voting is compulsory. We have federal elections, state elections and local council elections. I’m pretty cynical about all brands of politics and many’s the time I have not wanted to vote and as I get older I become more cynical. Our parliment at all levels often seems like a childs kindergarten the way they carry on. Some years ago one of the cartoonists from a daily national did a drawing of the various party leaders poking out of a rubbish bin. The caption read “don’t vote for any of the bars***ds, it just encourages them”
Very interesting,I had never heard of that before.Seems you can be excused for various reasons like religious beliefs,or you can submit a blank ballot,or write in names,or finally pay a small fine.But I thought the whole argument for and against was interesting.
I am not attempting to start a possibly political discussion,just relating what I read.
You are correct Tojo72, there are ways of avoiding having to vote, but they are few. For those that attend just to make in invalid vote, the point is that you still have to attend. I suppose its human nature - we often want what we can’t have. In the States and the U.K. voting is not compulsary and it frustrates those who view it as important that people do. Here it is viewed as a chore and most of us grumble about it, although I don’t really think people are annoyed at having to vote as such, maybee its more about just getting more of the same, as we only have two major partys and nothing much seems to change for the better.
Well I’ll chime in as long as this political thread lasts. Not voting is voting, you just voted for “I don’t care”. Get to the polls and vote, and do it on a paper ballot and ensure you put it in the counter yourself.
Pay attention to races for your representitve,senator and local races as much as you do for the presidential candidates. Who we put into congress is just as important as who we put in the white house.