Not Voting

[TBone77]

I was just wondering what everyone here thought about not voting on an issue or office because of a lack of knowledge on that particular subject. I ask this in light of the general sentiment that you're less-than-American if you choose not to vote or "vote in full".

For instance, I have paid much attention to the race for the White House as well as many fundamental local issues/offices in my district and state. However, I lack knowledge of a handful of topics and I do not intend to cast a vote for these items. One could argue that it's my responsibility to educate myself on these topics, but I think expecting each voter to be intimately familiar with each item on the ballot is unrealistic.

When you hit the polls, do you make it a point to vote on every single topic, regardless of how much you may or may not know about it?

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: TBone77
I was just wondering what everyone here thought about not voting on an issue or office because of a lack of knowledge on that particular subject. I ask this in light of the general sentiment that you're less-than-American if you choose not to vote or "vote in full".

For instance, I have paid much attention to the race for the White House as well as many fundamental local issues/offices in my district and state. However, I lack knowledge of a handful of topics and I do not intend to cast a vote for these items. One could argue that it's my responsibility to educate myself on these topics, but I think expecting each voter to be intimately familiar with each item on the ballot is unrealistic.

When you hit the polls, do you make it a point to vote on every single topic, regardless of how much you may or may not know about it?

I tend to read up on all the issues/candidates up for election and vote on the ones I care about. If I have no opinion either way or can't decipher what something is about, I'll skip over it.

 

[dullard]

The majority of people I think leave many issues blank. Watch your election results for your local area. Typically there will be these number of votes:
[*]X for president.
[*]~.9 * X for important issues (congress, etc)
[*]~.1 * X for non-important local issues.

I leave most of the votes blank myself. I grew up in a town with an airport that sees maybe 1 commercial flight a day. So why would I care who gets voted as the airport coordinator? I would have no clue how the canidates for that office differ. In fact, I wouldn't care how they differ as I never flew in/out. Same goes for most judges (keep them in office, yes/no votes). Or races where there is no opponent. I just leave them blank.

 

[Gravity]

I use a voter guide to see what the candidates have said about issues. I also look at the tax proposals. I normally always vote against incumbent judges too.

 

[0marTheZealot]

I'm not voting at all. Neither party represents whats best for America nor for me.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
I'm not voting at all. Neither party represents whats best for America nor for me.

What about local issues? There is almost always something that you strongly feel about that you can influence on local issues. Want a 1% sales tax increase or oppose it? Want a school bond or oppose it? Vote for those and leave the president blank. Or write in the name of someone who is best for you in the presidential section. Heck write yourself in.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
I'm not voting at all. Neither party represents whats best for America nor for me.

Please do a protest vote for Nader or Badlinark(sp?), or hell, write in OmartheZealot

50% of the electorate votes, it's a shame that ~1/4 of the population will elect the president.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Please do a protest vote for Nader or Badlinark(sp?), or hell, write in OmartheZealot

Beat you by a minute.

OmarTheZealot for president!

 

[cwjerome]

I never vote for the list of like 20 judges, I don't know anything about them. Occasionally there a few others. Sometimes I just have no opinion on something and let those who do decide.

 

[TBone77]

LOL @ OmarTheZealot for President

 

[MonkeyK]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
I'm not voting at all. Neither party represents whats best for America nor for me.

Please do a protest vote for Nader or Badlinark(sp?), or hell, write in OmartheZealot

50% of the electorate votes, it's a shame that ~1/4 of the population will elect the president.

Not here in MN. 68.8% turnout at the 2000 election. New outlets are predicting a close to 80% turnout at this election.

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
I'm not voting at all. Neither party represents whats best for America nor for me.

Please do a protest vote for Nader or Badlinark(sp?), or hell, write in OmartheZealot

50% of the electorate votes, it's a shame that ~1/4 of the population will elect the president.

You should write in someone at least for pres. Come on man.