Poll: Do you vote?

[Geek_DR]

I don't mean in internet polls, but in terms of your democratic right in Federal, State/Provincial, and Municipal Elections

I was recently talking to my co-workers (about the Canadian Federal Election a while back) and found that a couple didn't vote. Seeing as younger voters are always poorly represented at the polls, I was wondering whether you vote, where (if applicable), how old you are and why if not.

For me, it's definitely yes, and I'm 25.

P.S. I considered putting this in politics, but considering it's not really about an issue I put in off-topic discussions.

UPDATE: Added a couple more options due to feedback.

 

[Zac Smith]

Last vote we had in the UK that I was interested was last year on May 6th, I was 18 on the 7th, so I didn't that time.

 

[viranimus]

I resent the poll options. I dont vote, The candidates are irrelevant, and I do in fact care about it.

I dont vote because all you do by voting is letting your voice be heard, yet all that is said is "I approve of this broken, ineffectual system and show my approval of it being broken by participating in it and wish to continue it."

It might be different elsewhere, however what ive seen is that voting is nothing more than creating the illusion that the public have a voice or control in the way they are governed.

Its a shame too, cause its one of those ideas that sounds great on paper, but is ruined once put into the hands of people and laid out in practical application.

 

[Ritalynn]

Nope i could care less, it's either choice A or choice B no matter who runs. Unless you belong to A or B it's a pointless vote.

Unless you watch someones career from the start, watch all coverage, websites, news sites....you're just voting on whoever is prettier, talks better, or has 1-2 stances you actually pretend to care about. IE "oh he doesn't like abortion, I'm voting for him then!"

 

[similar.squirrel]

That would require an Irish citizenship, and I can't afford to pay for that process right now. I think I'm entitled to vote in local elections, but I don't really care about those.

 

[Ilikemilkshake]

Im 18 and i voted for the first time earlier this month, unfortunatly we dont have proportional representation, so i kinda feel like my vote is a waste... but oh well.

 

[Kaytastrophe]

I absolutely vote. In my opinion the only reasons why one is excused from voting is if something physically prevents you from voting OR you do not feel informed enough about the issues and positions to make a proper decision (although you should do this as well). Often I hear people say that they don't like any of the candidates or don't trust politicians. If this is the case though don't avoid voting go, vote, and spoil your ballot. Imagine the kind of message would be sent if 98% of the population came out and voted and lets say 40-50% spoiled their ballots by writing something like "non of the above". This lets the government know that low voter turn out is not due to laziness or lack of interest but because of the way government and elections function. So to answer your question again yes I vote and I think everyone should.

 

[Drakmeire]

I only vote in presidential elections
and if I don't like either candidate I vote for Kamina
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/heeroyuy117/garwin.jpg

 

[Geek_DR]

I resent the poll options. I dont vote, The candidates are irrelevant, and I do in fact care about it.

I dont vote because all you do by voting is letting your voice be heard, yet all that is said is "I approve of this broken, ineffectual system and show my approval of it being broken by participating in it and wish to continue it."

It might be different elsewhere, however what ive seen is that voting is nothing more than creating the illusion that the public have a voice or control in the way they are governed.

Its a shame too, cause its one of those ideas that sounds great on paper, but is ruined once put into the hands of people and laid out in practical application.

Updated poll options.

 

[Gigano]

Every chance I get.

It might just be a drop in the sea, but I'll be damned if I'd let an opportunity to have any sort of influence on the direction society is taking go to waste.

 

[SomethingUnrelated]

I don't yet, but I will when I'm old enough. Otherwise I'll lose my right to complain about the polotics of the country in which I live.

 

[Geek_DR]

I absolutely vote. In my opinion the only reasons why one is excused from voting is if something physically prevents you from voting OR you do not feel informed enough about the issues and positions to make a proper decision (although you should do this as well). Often I hear people say that they don't like any of the candidates or don't trust politicians. If this is the case though don't avoid voting go, vote, and spoil your ballot. Imagine the kind of message would be sent if 98% of the population came out and voted and lets say 40-50% spoiled their ballots by writing something like "non of the above". This lets the government know that low voter turn out is not due to laziness or lack of interest but because of the way government and elections function. So to answer your question again yes I vote and I think everyone should.

I totally agree. That's what I said to my co-worker. Spoil your ballot, but still vote.

 

[DeManix]

Did anyone else find it funny to have a vote on whether or not you vote? I know it means political voting, but still

I'm underage, but come the next scheduled election here in the UK I'll be able to vote and I fully intend to. Not sure for which party though.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I vote so that I've earned my right to BWM about the results. If you don't vote, you deserve the government you receive. If you voted and you get a shitty government anyway, feel free to *****, whine and moan about it. You were a part of an important process in your country and unlike the apathetic legions of people unwilling to leave their houses, you made a difference. Take advantage of your right!

 

[MolotoK]

I think voting is important, even if you vote for a party that doesn't have any chance.

It's only every few years that the common man has a chance to influence politics in our representative democracies.
If you don't vote, the ruling parties will assume u don't care at all and will simply ignore you. They will only act once they see that a large part of the population voting for alternative parties.

 

[Evil Moo]

I don't vote, or at least I haven't yet.

All of the options become less and less appealing the more I know about them. Political campaigns seem more focused on belittling the opposing parties than actually informing me of the important policies or details. This both leaves me without the knowledge I would need to make an informed vote and makes me ever more disinclined to vote for anyone as they are all being so ridiculously petty about the whole thing.

And this doesn't even begin to cover the fact that I will probably not agree with the majority of the policies even if I was aware of them...

So yeah. I'm just generally disillusioned with the whole process and can't really be bothered with it.

 

[EvilPicnic]

Yes, and you all should too.

 

[Geek_DR]

Did anyone else find it funny to have a vote on whether or not you vote? I know it means political voting, but still

I'm underage, but come the next scheduled election here in the UK I'll be able to vote and I fully intend to. Not sure for which party though.

Heh yes the irony.

 

[aPod]

Yes I vote, and i'm writing Ron Paul on the ticket if he doesn't win the nomination anyways.

 

[Woodsey]

Would if I could, not old enough yet (next year).

If you can vote and don't, don't fucking complain when you don't like who gets into power or the things they do.

I don't vote, or at least I haven't yet.

All of the options become less and less appealing the more I know about them. Political campaigns seem more focused on belittling the opposing parties than actually informing me of the important policies or details. This both leaves me without the knowledge I would need to make an informed vote and makes me ever more disinclined to vote for anyone as they are all being so ridiculously petty about the whole thing.

And this doesn't even begin to cover the fact that I will probably not agree with the majority of the policies even if I was aware of them...

Why don't you just look at their manifestos online?

There are hordes of parties, the idea that you'd disagree with the majority of them is unlikely.