Voting: Right, or duty?

[Fenixgoon]

both?

we have the *right* to vote as citizens, guaranteed by the constitution.

it is our duty to vote as citizens to select officials who we think will take the country in the best direction.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I had to vote for "Right" on this one, because abstaining is an option. The election before last I didn't feel strongly either way on any of the issues, so I felt like my votes were best not cast. The last election however, I wanted to vote on some of the issues, so I voted. This next one, I'll definitely vote. I'll probably spend a night next weekend with the book reading through the measures and check them off.

not voting is better than uninformed voting

 

[darkxshade]

Neither... voting has been a punishment the last decade due to the poor choices or lack thereof.

 

[digiram]

Both.

 

[zinfamous]

Right...maybe

Even the founding fathers never imagined that certain types or classes of people should be qualified to vote. Technically, it wouldn't be a right, but the duty of only the land-holding class of white males. ...and that's how voting has been understood for the longer part of our country's existence.

I think many can agree that plenty of people of voting age, by today's standards...really shouldn't be voting.

After blacks were allowed the right to vote, many states implemented the passing of literacy tests to qualify one for voting. It was eventually deemed unconstitutional. By today's standards of education, I don't think that I would have a problem if we implemented literacy tests again...

Hell, the earliest methods of voting, outside of standing in circles and raising your hand required the voter to accurately spell their candidate's name, and the position for which they were running. any single misspelling (Jon vs John) would invalidate your vote. This lead to part-sponsored pre-made ballots, the paying of "indulgences" to entice the working classes to vote a certain party...all of this eventually evolved into the 2-party system, built on controlling money, power, and long-lasting hegemony of a limited number of ideas over the years.

There is nothing sacred or duty-bound about voting.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Right. Jury Duty is duty. People often don't vote to show their lack of support for either candidate.

 

[manowar821]

It's a right. You don't have to vote if there's nothing worth voting for. There's no reason to think otherwise.

 

[jjones]

Neither. Until there's a complete overhaul of the election process, voting is just a farse in all but local politics.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

As it stands now it's a right because legally it's not an obligation. In reality it's just a waste of time. We're always faced with a choice of candidates that represent the special interests that financed their campaigns rather than representing us.

 

[shortylickens]

I think it should be a duty, but by law its not.

Its not like serving in the military or anything else.
All you have to do is go to a designated place and put your mark on a piece of paper. In most states if you dont like the people running, you can pencil in someone you do like.

It takes very little time out of your day and the effects last a minimum of four years. Actually, if you voted for Bush either time then the effects last for decades.

 

[Toasthead]

Originally posted by: Alone
Right. It's irresponsible to vote for a candidate if you're not properly informed.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: Alone
Right. It's irresponsible to vote for a candidate if you're not properly informed.

Surely it is your duty to make sure you are fully informed?

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

We have the right to vote.

It is a "civic duty" to vote.

But I don't personally give a eff about "civic duty", I vote because I have that right. While it may mean something and it may not, it still is my statement of current US issues. My vote might not really have much effect on things, but at least when I criticize the current administration I can do so knowing I voiced my opinion.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

To those who think duty must be required by law, do you only assume the responsibility for those things you are forced to?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: D1gger
Both. It is your duty to be an informed voter, but it is your right to exercise your ability to vote. The right can be removed (as in a convicted felon).

This.

If you don't vote, don't complain when things don't go as you like.