Question: If couples are going to vote opposite parties, why vote at all?

[lordtyranus]

I've met several married people where one person voted Bush and the other Kerry, my parents included in this. Seems like a waste of time for both of them when their votes cancel each other out.

 

[Moonbeam]

Their ballot only had the election for President?

 

[b0mbrman]

Ballots have more than just the presidential race

 

[lordtyranus]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Ballots have more than just the presidential race

That occured to me at first, but they left the rest of the ballot blank and only voted for president.

 

[plagiarist]

you could stay home and screww instaed

spound good to me

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

My wife and I do that all the time. We both have the right to participate in the process, though we cancel each other out.

 

[imported_Condor]

We just install the equipment, we don't do the math in the field.

 

[Blackjack2000]

My mother used to work with a republican. They would both agree to stay home, since it would be waste of time for both of them to vote, and on election day, they would both go vote anyway.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: lordtyranus

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Ballots have more than just the presidential race

That occured to me at first, but they left the rest of the ballot blank and only voted for president.

Why are people showing off their secret ballots?

Then I don't know beyond the feeling of pride and civic duty one feels after voting. Maybe they wanted to make sure they got either of the lesser two of three evils...just in case Nader surprised everybody.

 

[lordtyranus]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: lordtyranus

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Ballots have more than just the presidential race

That occured to me at first, but they left the rest of the ballot blank and only voted for president.

Why are people showing off their secret ballots?

Then I don't know beyond the feeling of pride and civic duty one feels after voting. Maybe they wanted to make sure they got either of the lesser two of three evils...just in case Nader surprised everybody.

Well, I don't know the details, but I'm assuming as a married couple each would know who the other votes for through casual conversation. At least in my family its talked about that way.

Perhaps you are right though. My parents and I only went to vote to give me a chance at the experience.

 

[glugglug]

Actually (when the election isn't fixed), there is a good reason to vote besides having an effect on the outcome. Politicians look at the statistics of which age groups/races/other demographics are voting. If your demographic turns out in large numbers, they will cater to it.

 

[sandorski]

It doesn't matter, aka, they don't cancel each other out. Each person has a Vote, each Vote counts, if your spouse doesn't vote against you, your neighbour might, or the guy over on the other block. Extrapolate out far enough and no one should bother to vote.

 

[luv2chill]

A few different reasons... other races, as already stated (assuming you don't leave them blank or vote party lines). Another reason is to set a good example for your children if you have them. Yet another is so that you can help bolster the miserable 50-60% turnout we have in this country.

Any of those would be enough for me to vote.

l2c

 

[Kibbo]

Originally posted by: Blackjack2000
My mother used to work with a republican. They would both agree to stay home, since it would be waste of time for both of them to vote, and on election day, they would both go vote anyway.

That's a perfect example of game theory. They both rationally decide to not vote, and then they do. Why? because there is a small chance that the other will vote anyway, and so you should vote to maitain the null factor. If they didn't vote, then your side is up one. Extrapolate that one to the end, and you see why you should always vote: You may be the only one who bothers.