I have been sitting here for the past few days thinking about the upcoming election and I can't help but think I can't get behind any of the candidates, and don't like any of the candidates that are running.
So needless to say I'm really wondering if I would be just best to sit the election out before I vote for someone I don't like, or write an obscure name of cartoon charachter on the ballot.
What do you do in a situation like this vote for someone you can't believe in or get behind, or just not vote at all.
Mooch
[question posted by oneandonemakesix]responses and comments:
Every vote counts and if many people think like their one vote doesn't count, then adding that up, will turn the voting in another direction. The only time I don't vote is when I have no transportation to the voting booth. [carmelanirel]
Do what my grandma does, vote for the one that you think will help you out the most. Because in the end I guess thats all that matters, what they can/will do for you. [vamp6x6x6x]
Well Sweetie I have never voted and I never will as I see it I would waste my time Some People say that one vote could make the Difference, no it could not because no matter who gets in they are all the Same [gabs8513]
Well said, and the state our country is in, I don't think any party will make any difference to it, they're all as bad as each other, false promises, greed and apathy that's our government, that time is better spent doing something else xx [wolfie34]
Well welcome to my world. In BC, when we have elections, it's not voting for who you like, it's voting for who you dislike least. Your vote is important. It could become critically important if the race is close. And besides, it's one of the last things a citizen is allowed to do to politicians. Here in BC, I am trying to change that, but it is still how it is right now. So, I recommend that you sit down and decide which politician is going to mess you over the least, and vote for that one if nothing else. Good luck in that though... [BCMike]
we share the same view. here everybody wants to run for public office even if they are not qualified to. long time politicians are no-match to the popular ones...and why not, some of them are actors! =p [wild_swans]
When I have no confidence in any of the candidates, I still vote because I can. What I do in that situation is try to figure out who seems the least evil, or the least likely to send country in a fast spiral down the global toilet. Lots of people don't vote (including my husband) which makes MY vote count even more. It's really a personal choice and I won't harass you if you don't vote (especially if you had planned on voting for someoen running against my candidate LOL). However, keep in mind that if you miss an election it might create a hassle for you if you want to vote in future elections because they look in their book at the polling place to find you signature from the last election to prove you are who you say you are. You also might not get notification if they change your polling place. That happened to me, they changed the place where I was to vote and I was not notified. When I finally DID get to the right place, they couldn't find my information so I was forced to fill out an absentee ballot instead of using the booth. Absentee ballots are counted last, so my vote did not have the impact I would have liked. It turned out OK because my candidate won, but it was still annoying. [MSV1313]
I feel your pain. There are not candidates that I can align myself either. I am not sure what I am going to do. [lolalolacherrycola]
For me that's an easy choice I just don't vote, we have to go to the local village hall when voting comes in, and I am not a hypocrite I won't go out and vote because to me it makes no difference, besides it's a waste of my time, I can use that time for other things like Mylotting LOL. I very rarely vote, I don't have time for politicians and I can't stand any party they are all out for themselves anyhow, so I register my dissatisfaction by NOT voting full stop. [wolfie34]
Absolutely one vote can make a difference. As an example, the results from my precinct caucus (MN Senate district 17, Cambridge East-P2, for those who don't believe me the results are posted on the MN Sec. of State page) had Clinton and Obama tied up dead even with one uncomitted vote, 21-21-1. I think that it is a shame that people are so jaded now a days to the point that they don't even consider voting. I'm not going to point fingers because there are more people responsible for it than just the candidates. After all, it is your right to decide whom you would rather have to represent you and decisions are made by those who show up. If you don't like the candidates that are running, why don't you run? That is your right as well, at least as long as you haven't been convicted of treason. [LegattoAD]
Olivebranch you are seriously misinformed,George.w.bush inherted what debt from former president clinton?it was Bill Clinton who inherted his debt from george bush sr.and left the country with a surplus of funds at the end of his last term!only to have George.w.bush jr.spent it all on a various wars,5 billion a week in IRAG,secondly former president Clinton created more jobs during his two terms as president,i think you should check your facts before you vote!and stop listening to OBAMA'S misinformation spin doctors! [bond0077]
This happened in our provincial election in Canada a few years ago. None of the candidates stood for anything that I agreed on. In the States, it is different, the party leader will not throw out the candidate if he decides to be pro-life, or says that he attends church on Sunday and no thank you, he will not be at the Capitol that day, so for us not voting or writing "no acceptable candidates" is the only choice we have. If there are no candidates that stand for what you believe or have your ideals, I would say mark the ballet as "no acceptable candidates" or do not vote at all. [suspenseful]
makke up ur mind clear...its only time people can express ur views towards the existing scenario. [anoopchandran_uck]
Just vote for whoever you feel best about. I'd rather have someone vote than not vote at all. I know you said you don't like any of them, but if you HAD to chose, who would you chose? Please don't NOT vote at all. [koalatbs]
I don't vote...They all lie to get into office...As my grandpa always said you can't gripe if you don't vote...I gripe no matter what....LOL [queenofarms]
Well i know that in my country people have to vote i mean it is so critical here that each person that votes makes a difference so i think that it does make a difference but i really can not tell you to vote if you are not convinced in what does poloticians represent in this case maybe you should go with what you really feel [liranlgo]
Just as the saying goes "every vote counts". your vote alone may not make that difference at all. most important is that you vote for the one you believe and not because you just need to, this is privilege that others don't have. [wild_swans]
Well I'll tell you what my fiancee told me... if in fact you choose not to vote then for the next 4 yrs you've chosen to remain silent as far as your thoughts on how this country is run. You will have not right to sit and complain about what the president is or isn't doing because frankly you didn't vote so your opinion of how bad he/she is won't matter. If you want to have a say in things even if you don't like who's running then vote. You can write in a person, yes odds are they won't get voted in but it then gives you the right to complain about who's in office and the crappy job you think he/she is doing. Vote and be heard or don't and STFU for the next 4 yrs. Those are pretty much your choices. [devilsangel]
Hi! I'm of a similar mentality. I haven't been moved by any candidate. I am planning on waiting until the conventions and then I will start investigating each candidate and what they stand for. There is still plenty of time to make an informed decision. I do think that it's important to use your voting privilege since that's what the founding fathers would have wanted you to do! Good luck to you! [di1159]
Here is the thing, if you don't vote, then you forfeit your right to complain if the new president is doing a poor job. Now, if you do vote and you end up regretting it, you still have the right to complain. I look at it like this. If I order something at a restaurant that has hair in it, is under cooked or just really awful, I have the right to complain as I am not paying for hair, not paying to eat raw food and for something that should be at least passable. I feel the same with the President. If I vote a fool into office, I have a right to complain about not getting what I expected. But, if I do nothing, then I have nothing to complain about. Does that make sense? [cortjo73]
Oh well for me I would vote for the next best thing that suits my liking. In an election there is not reall a person that has matched with my expected qualification. But I do vote the next one that closely match my desired qualification. I really believe that your vote can make a difference even if it is just one vote. [rsa101]
Well its same here. I have not been voting for the past few years coz I see no merit in supporting self-serving, half-educated sycophants and humbugs who are infesting Indian politics today. None of them have an iota of patriotism or community-service in their heart and their only aim is to sit on the throne and garner money and wealth for themselves, their extended families, their friends, their supporter and then if something is left, then that goes towards community service. They are one of the major reasons why my country is so poor even after 60 years of independence. Previously, when vote-casting was done manually, I would stamp my choice on multiple candidates so that automatically nullified my vote but now with the EVMs, one cant even do that. So I have been sitting at home and telling everybody (rather proudly) that I don't vote. [sudiptacallingu]
Yes lack of voting makes a difference.because every single vote takes a party ahead to victory.Its like the proverb "Small drops of water make a mighty ocean"So each vote counts during the election.I never like to take part in voting.but my parents forced me to vote so that their party would win. [vicky30]
Hi Mooch, I work as an elections official and have learned a lot about the voting process. While you may not like any of the candidates in a particular race, you don't have to vote for them. You will more than likely have other local issues in your area that your vote may very well make a difference. One of the funniest things that I had happen during the Bush election was a lady from Florida came into my precinct (I'm in California) with her absentee ballot. I can't help to wonder if that one ballot would have made a difference in the Florida results. You wouldn't believe how many people vote for Mickey Mouse or Snoopy as write in candidates. The elections office has a list of qualified write in candidates for the various offices, so you might want to check with them before the elections in your area. As for me, if I don't like the candidate, I don't vote in that part of the ballot. By the way Mooch, you and I exchanged a lot of ideas years ago when I first started on MyLot. You also responded to a posting my boyfriend did a few days ago about abuse. I would like to put you back on my friends list so that I can let you know what happened. [Loverbear]
Just don't vote at all. But that makes no difference to the outcome. I think that they should have a voting option that can be used for when you don't want to support any of the candidates. A "non of the above" box on the form. This would represent a vote of no confidence in any of the candidates. Then, if there was a majority of people who "voted" for "non of the above" they'd have to rerun the election with a completely new set of candidates until they found someone who was acceptable to a majority of the electorate. That would be better democracy than we are offered at the present. [jwfarrimond]
Now that is an awesome idea! That would make such a difference in how candidates look at us as voters. I think that would also go a long way in keeping them honest. Are you listening here Washington? [olivebranch56]
At one time I asked myself the same question. I also posted it here on myLot a year ago and the responses made me rethink my attitude. If everyone thought their vote did not make a difference then we would not have democracy but would leave ourselves open to dictatorship and lose our freedom to choose. I have even in local elections voted for the underdog just because I could not stand any of the main choices. Hoping that my vote would be the one that loses for the candidate I did not like! [whiteheather39]
Hi oneandonemakesix, I always vote in an election, sometimes we just have to choose the lesser of two evils. There have been times when I was in your situation, and wondered if it was worth it, but we shouldn't let the percentage of those who vote drop anymore than it already has, it's an unhealthy sign. Blessings. [Pose123]
usually i would agree that in a situation where a well known proven candidate we all know,will win,such as a bill clinton,or a ronald reagan,what is point?but what we have here for the first time in a long time,are 4 rookie candidates,with known proven experience in running a country,or even being a governor,the republican candidates,one has almost no chance of winning,huckabee,and one who is 73 yrs of age,has some experience with dealing with congress,that would be mccain,and on the democrat side we have a first time rookie senator,first time would be rookie president of african (part kenyan)american decent,who for some reason everybody feels even though has the least experience in congress,never was a governor,never run a company or anything,would make the best president,that would be barack obama,and Hillary Clinton who as far as length of in congress is the most experience,has the experience of her husband to fall back on,bill clinton,one of america's most successful presidents ever,yet america's seem to want barack obama,i am not surprised !! this is the same america who voted for george.w.bush.one of america's worse presidents in history,you voted him in twice!to use a dr.phil's favorite sayings"what were you thinking"? [bond0077]
I was thinking I didn't want another Bill "Cigar" Clinton in the white house, and still don't. I want someone who has some moral values, who doesn't say one thing out one side of their mouth, while blowing smoke out their rump. I may not have gotten that, but at least we haven't had to deal with another womanizer scandal for the past 8 years. You say Clinton was one of Americas most successful president's. Yes was was successful in covering things up, Lewinski, the bad economy Bush inherited from the Democrats, yes he was very good at pulling blinders over peoples eyes and "Lip Service", take that how you will. By the way wasn't it just so convenient that the terrorist waited until Clinton was out of office before they attacked, wouldn't want to upset the president they had in their pocket, now would they. Yes I said it! Bill Clinton was in on that attack. My opinion, we all have one. [olivebranch56]
I'm not american, and i dont follow politics, but i thought that i'd drop by and let you know that as patriotic as i am about being canadian, i have NEVER participated in a vote in my life. Is that wrong ? I dunno if it is or not, but i couldnt be bothered, they lie and cheat to get the title that they know not what to do with anyways lol. WHo cares who's in the running, nothing turns out they way they promise it to be anyways. ALTHOUGH!! we did get that new holiday in febuary with the last prime minister. and its a stat holiday! Family day! yay. [Sissygrl]
I live in Canada and I have to admit I don't vote anymore. I don't like any of the parties or the candidates for the last 20 years or so, so instead of making a noninformative vote, I just don't vote at all. I feel bad about this because it is my constitutional right to vote but I just can't do it when I don't like any of them. I think a lot of people in Canada feel the same as I do because after an election and they do a count on all the votes it has shown that less than 30% of the population of Canada voted. I don't want to vote because I think they are all liars and cheats and never keep a single one of their election promises. [chrislotz]
I am appalled by the selfishness I have seen here! Yes selfishness. Voting is a responsibility by all Americans, a right and privilege many have died trying to preserve. But what is even more disheartening is the lack of knowledge behind this decision. By all accounts, there are still (6) candidates running for president, not the (3) constantly mentioned by the mainstream media. Did you even know there was another democrat running for president, Mike Gravel? Now, I personally, want change! I want Ron Paul, but the fact that Mike Gravel is not mentioned anywhere shows how lop-sided this system is. Indeed if most Americans would only take action instead of complaining perhaps we would not be in the mess we are in. If we all find out about "writing-in" a candidates name on the ballot perhaps these votes cannot be "rigged". [mizrae]
mizrae you are absolutely right, I have been following the campaigns and had no idea there was another Dem. candidate. I have not heard or read his name mentioned anywhere. Why hasn't he been allowed in even one of the debates, or was he and we just missed him? Thank you for this important info. [olivebranch56]
You'll never find a perfect candidate but there is certainly an issue that is very important to you -- vote for a man or woman who comes closest to you on that issue. For me its National Defense and you can guess who will get my vote -- at the same time that same candidate has positions that I feel are very wrong and/or very soft but we only have a few choices in this election and we have many very important issues -- voting for Mickey Mouse or the Silver Surfer can only mean that you don't care about National Defense OR illegal immigration OR the economy OR health care and if you don't care about any of those things -- if you have have nothing important to say -- perhaps its best if you stay home. [whymrhymer]
Just vote to the person you believe who can take the responsibilities.As a citizen it is your responsibility to vote also but i will let you decide for yourself about this.Mine was just a suggestion.You can take it or leave it! [giePortlandOR_08]
Well it all depends on how passionate you are about your right to vote.You are a woman and women didn't get to vote until 1920. If you are a person of color, it hasn't been fully legal until 1964 or so.If you feel that you Should vote because of this history then do it. Pick the candidate you hate the least. But if you are like me, not that passionate about voting, then sit this one out. [sarahruthbeth22]
sorry to say this but the truth usually hurts,you really don't know your history do you?you think that was all BILL CLINTON did for AMERICA,was smoke cigars?holy no wonder OBAMA IS WINNING easy with people like you voting without checking your facts,FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON was able to leave AMERICA with a surplus of fund or money ,for those who don't know what i mean!i don't think OBAMA has done anything like that ever!what does that mean?well everybody was happy because THEY WERE MAKING M-O-N-E-Y HONEY!including your parents,BILL CLINTON created more jobs than GEORGE BUSH SR.your current president's dad and former president!bill won two landslide victories terms as president in a row!and if he was running today would win hands down,so you said he was good at covering up?not as good as the former republican hero president RONALD REAGAN,who was able to cover up the IRAN/CONTRA SCANDAL,FOR A LONG TIME AFTER HE LEFT THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE!OH here is some news for you every president in history had things they covered up ok?OBAMA had dealing with slumlords,and i am sure there is more we don't know yet,J.F.K. use to share women with his father,and his brother BOBBY,behind his wife's back,including ms.monroe,dealing with the mob,tried to assasinate castro which failed,started viet nam,REAGAN had IRAN/CONTRA scandal,both GEORGE BUSH JR AND SR HAD dealings with OSAMA BIN LADIN'S family before 911 and after as well as the TALIBANS,should i go on?IF ALL BILL CLINTON DID WAS MAKE LOVE NOT WAR i would settle for that,so if you are telling me that you would rather OBAMA because he doesn't smoke cigars,but i think OBAMA IS PRETTY GOOD AT NOT REVEALING WHAT CHANGE HE IS PLANNING ON MAKING,THIS GUY HAS A DUCK'S BACK when challenged to his experience,he can deflect questions like the best of em!which is covering up also!the funny thing is people won't remember monika luwinski just how plentyful jobs were when bill was president,if OBAMA WINS THIS ELECTION AMERICA IS GOING DOWN!especially in the eyes of RUSSIA,IRAN,ISREAL,NORTH KOREA,AL QUI DA! you mark my words! [bond0077]
We have 3 great candidates out there. Why is it you can't agree with anything they stand for? What are they lacking? Your vote is important. [maddy1156]
I have never felt it to be our OBLIGATION to vote... it is our RIGHT to vote. I have a right to do a lot of things but I don't do them. Will your vote matter... all votes matter -- even a no-vote. Thanks Zelo [zeloguy]
It is about choosing the right candidate. At the same time, it is also about the act of participation. By not making a decision, you are essentially giving up your rights to participation. This is your country, and it is a priviledge to have a right to get involved. Why choose to go the easier way of not making a choice? Decision is tough sometimes because you may not have a lot of information about the candidates. If you really learn more about them, it is almost difficult not to have a leaning towards one candidate. Most certainly non of the candidates are perfect, but who is, right? It really depends on the candidate, the team of advisors behind them and the mission they set to accomplish. Every vote is important and it's a priviledge. So never choose to give up your rights so easily. [Britelite]
People will tell you it is your civic duty to vote, and I was going to vote, but we were moving and me being so worn out never made it. Personally I don't think one vote is really going to matter. The way I see it anyway the electoral college will end up deciding and they may not necessarily vote the way you want them to. [OreoCookie3]
I sure wish I could vote, but I can't, because I am not an American citizen. I have an American Tax ID, but I am not a itizen. I eally wish I was, but then again I'm Canadian, so I can vote in those elections. My husband and I ae happy to have a secure vote in each election. If I were you, and I was able to vote, I would. If enough people decide to sit out the election, it'll be chaos! [danishcanadian]
Seems in the last few elections beginning with Bush there been some screw up with the election campaigh to alter the results in one party's favor and the country gets in worse shape. Speaking of a write in obscure name on the ballot, how about everyone writes in <> oneandonemakesix [friend2friends]
Let say a candidate need 1 to win an election. Every person's vote counts for 0.000000001. The 0.000000001 is so tiny and insignificant. However, one person's 0.000000001 may someday add up to 1. One person's willing to vote can influence two, two to four, four to eight, etc. So it will become, says, 0.05. Then the winning candidate has to look at the opinions of those 0.05. Every tiny action does have an impact. By not voting, the count is 0. It will always be zero even though a million non-voting people hold the same opinion. [alexwander]