If you're not voting...

NatesLady1309

May I ask why? Other than that you aren't an American citizen or something. I don't get it. Enlighten me.

Amberrrr

They're all liars.

jldubb0626

Amberrrr:

They're all liars.

Which is why you do your research and vote for a 3rd party candidate who you believe in.

MrsGlaedr

The main reason is we were DUMB and forgot to re-register since we just moved to Texas and by the time we realized it was too late.

The reason I was hesitant to begin with is that I cant in good conscience vote for EITHER party. I voted originally for Obama but I disagree with a lot of his economical policies. And as a human being I hate Mccain-- he's been caught in many many lies and I disagree with almost all of his social standings on womans rights, abortion, gay marriage, etc. Id LIKE to say he'd have the best shot at fixing the economy but with all his lies whose to tell?

I wish I could vote third party and feel like it would make the slightest bit of difference.. 

runrinserepeat

I'll be voting, but. My sister may not be. She hasn't in the past. She doesn't take the time to educate herself on the issues, and she doesn't want to make an uniformed decision. If she cared more about the issues, maybe she would take the time to educate herself.

I suspect she may be voting today, though. She's had a lot of free time since she moved and lately is sounds like she's more up-to-speed on the election.

Everyone has a right NOT to vote, though. Some people just don't care. Who are we to say that they should? If politics aren't affecting them in such a way that they DO care more, then it must not matter all that much to them. JMO, anyway.

Shawnee11507

MrsGlaedr:

The main reason is we were DUMB and forgot to re-register since we just moved to Texas and by the time we realized it was too late.

This for us too. We moved out of state and didn't re-register yet. I didn't even think about requesting an absentee ballot until last week, which I'm sure was too late. 

firecracker8

MrsGlaedr:

The main reason is we were DUMB and forgot to re-register since we just moved to Texas and by the time we realized it was too late.

The reason I was hesitant to begin with is that I cant in good conscience vote for EITHER party. I voted originally for Obama but I disagree with a lot of his economical policies. And as a human being I hate Mccain-- he's been caught in many many lies and I disagree with almost all of his social standings on womans rights, abortion, gay marriage, etc. Id LIKE to say he'd have the best shot at fixing the economy but with all his lies whose to tell?

I wish I could vote third party and feel like it would make the slightest bit of difference.. 

Do you mean Romney? 

sooner1981

firecracker8:

MrsGlaedr:

The main reason is we were DUMB and forgot to re-register since we just moved to Texas and by the time we realized it was too late.

The reason I was hesitant to begin with is that I cant in good conscience vote for EITHER party. I voted originally for Obama but I disagree with a lot of his economical policies. And as a human being I hate Mccain-- he's been caught in many many lies and I disagree with almost all of his social standings on womans rights, abortion, gay marriage, etc. Id LIKE to say he'd have the best shot at fixing the economy but with all his lies whose to tell?

I wish I could vote third party and feel like it would make the slightest bit of difference.. 

Do you mean Romney? 

I sure hope so...

Jen0204

kleMcK:

Everyone has a right NOT to vote, though. Some people just don't care. Who are we to say that they should? If politics aren't affecting them in such a way that they DO care more, then it must not matter all that much to them. JMO, anyway.

I agree with this, but people like my coworker drive me nuts.  She's not even registered to vote, yet complains about taxes, complains when they don't plow quick enough, complains that the roads need to be repaved, complains about healthcare costs - all things that could be influenced based on local and national elections.  Everyone has the right to vote or not vote and everyone has the right to b!tch, but it pisses me off when people complain day and night and then don't take the time to do their part to actually help solve the stuff they're complaining about.

runrinserepeat

Jen0204:

kleMcK:

Everyone has a right NOT to vote, though. Some people just don't care. Who are we to say that they should? If politics aren't affecting them in such a way that they DO care more, then it must not matter all that much to them. JMO, anyway.

I agree with this, but people like my coworker drive me nuts.  She's not even registered to vote, yet complains about taxes, complains when they don't plow quick enough, complains that the roads need to be repaved, complains about healthcare costs - all things that could be influenced based on local and national elections.  Everyone has the right to vote or not vote and everyone has the right to b!tch, but it pisses me off when people complain day and night and then don't take the time to do their part to actually help solve the stuff they're complaining about.

Yeah, if my sister ever complained about stuff like this, I'd be sure to give her a piece of my mind.

firewife9278

I normally don't because I really hate where we have to go vote. It's in a not-so-great area of the town I live in, at an low-income housing complex community center (which is why I won't bring DD there - too much crime, and it'll be dark - DH doesn't even like it when I have to go there alone). The lines are very long - I waited over 2.5 hours in 2008 and I had to park blocks away.

Depending on my mood after working all day (I hate my job), how fussy DD is, and what time DH gets home, I may or may not go.

We're moving next month to a MUCH nicer community. I can't wait.

footnotegirl

Amberrrr:

They're all liars.

But but, what about voting on laws and tax levies and ... you do know you don't just vote for people during the election, right?

Jen0204

footnotegirl:

Amberrrr:

They're all liars.

But but, what about voting on laws and tax levies and ... you do know you don't just vote for people during the election, right?

Taking the time to go out and vote on local issues but abstaining from voting for the political candidates can send a powerful message.

kittyh8r

Amberrrr:

They're all liars.

 

 

This is a terrible reason not to vote. Either way, one of them is going to be president...might as well get a say in the matter. You're not going to agree with everything, but do some research and figure out with one you could/could not side with.  

runrinserepeat

EmmaBoBemma:

Amberrrr:

They're all liars.

 

 

This is a terrible reason not to vote. Either way, one of them is going to be president...might as well get a say in the matter. You're not going to agree with everything, but do some research and figure out with one you could/could not side with.  

ITA

Also, I asked my sister and apparently she voted early. So I guess she does have the right to biitch about her taxes and healthcare costs now

jmccall79

I'm stupid and didn't send in my registration change in time when I moved.  I procrastinated and didn't early vote.  And I can't find my 'old' voter registration card to be able to vote at my old precinct.

kittyh8r

jmccall79:

I'm stupid and didn't send in my registration change in time when I moved.  I procrastinated and didn't early vote.  And I can't find my 'old' voter registration card to be able to vote at my old precinct.

 Maybe it's not like this everywhere..but I have not registered to vote and I can just take my I.D to the poll and get registered there. I live in Wisconsin...is this not typical? 

sparks2987

kleMcK:

Everyone has a right NOT to vote, though. Some people just don't care. Who are we to say that they should? If politics aren't affecting them in such a way that they DO care more, then it must not matter all that much to them.

I agree with this. I already hate today because everyone is asking if I voted (I did), talking politics and it is driving me crazy. I am going to vote for whoever I vote for reguardless of what you say to me before I go.

I dont think it is that big of a deal if someone doesnt vote, I would much rather have someone NOT vote than be an uneducated voter and vote just to vote. I think uneducated voters are a bigger problem than people choosing not to vote.

runrinserepeat

sparks2987:

kleMcK:

Everyone has a right NOT to vote, though. Some people just don't care. Who are we to say that they should? If politics aren't affecting them in such a way that they DO care more, then it must not matter all that much to them.

I agree with this. I already hate today because everyone is asking if I voted (I did), talking politics and it is driving me crazy. I am going to vote for whoever I vote for reguardless of what you say to me before I go.

I dont think it is that big of a deal if someone doesnt vote, I would much rather have someone NOT vote than be an uneducated voter and vote just to vote. I think uneducated voters are a bigger problem than people choosing not to vote.

Well, and the more I think about it, if a person really doesn't care, I don't WANT them to vote. I'd rather have people who care about the issues making these decisions, than have a bunch of people just checking whichever box strikes their fancy at the moment.

NatesLady1309

firewife9278:

I normally don't because I really hate where we have to go vote. It's in a not-so-great area of the town I live in, at an low-income housing complex community center (which is why I won't bring DD there - too much crime, and it'll be dark - DH doesn't even like it when I have to go there alone). The lines are very long - I waited over 2.5 hours in 2008 and I had to park blocks away.

Depending on my mood after working all day (I hate my job), how fussy DD is, and what time DH gets home, I may or may not go.

We're moving next month to a MUCH nicer community. I can't wait.

Would not have thought of the dangerous polling place issue...

This is one of my good friend's FB status today-

"Friends, please don't assume that the non-voters in your news feed are apathetic. Some are not voting today because they have found politics morally confusing and generally disheartening. Some will not vote because they cannot honestly put their name on a candidate. Others I know are abstaining today as a way of casting another kind of vote -- a vote against the current political system. Exercise your right by all means, but remember that we live in a country where we have the freedom to express our conscience by voting OR abstaining."

Part of what I commented- 

I think if you (read: anyone) can't agree with any of the candidates at least enough to give them your vote, then just write in yourself or someone you CAN agree with enough to vote for. But by all means, vote.

NatesLady1309

EmmaBoBemma:

Amberrrr:

They're all liars.

 

 

This is a terrible reason not to vote. Either way, one of them is going to be president...might as well get a say in the matter. You're not going to agree with everything, but do some research and figure out with one you could/could not side with.  

Very much agree with this stance. Aside from the reasons I've heard like not registered after moving and a dangerous polling place, I totally judge when people don't vote. 

runrinserepeat

NatesLady1309:

firewife9278:

I normally don't because I really hate where we have to go vote. It's in a not-so-great area of the town I live in, at an low-income housing complex community center (which is why I won't bring DD there - too much crime, and it'll be dark - DH doesn't even like it when I have to go there alone). The lines are very long - I waited over 2.5 hours in 2008 and I had to park blocks away.

Depending on my mood after working all day (I hate my job), how fussy DD is, and what time DH gets home, I may or may not go.

We're moving next month to a MUCH nicer community. I can't wait.

Would not have thought of the dangerous polling place issue...

This is one of my good friend's FB status today-

"Friends, please don't assume that the non-voters in your news feed are apathetic. Some are not voting today because they have found politics morally confusing and generally disheartening. Some will not vote because they cannot honestly put their name on a candidate. Others I know are abstaining today as a way of casting another kind of vote -- a vote against the current political system. Exercise your right by all means, but remember that we live in a country where we have the freedom to express our conscience by voting OR abstaining."

Part of what I commented- 

I think if you (read: anyone) can't agree with any of the candidates at least enough to give them your vote, then just write in yourself or someone you CAN agree with enough to vote for. But by all means, vote.

Right. I asked my officemate today, and she's writing in a candidate. That's cool with me. She can't in good conscience vote Romney or Obama, so she's educated herself and found a candidate that she supports. People like your friend strike me as lazy. I'd actually prefer apathy.

Jen0204

kleMcK:

Right. I asked my officemate today, and she's writing in a candidate. That's cool with me. She can't in good conscience vote Romney or Obama, so she's educated herself and found a candidate that she supports. People like your friend strike me as lazy. I'd actually prefer apathy.

Exactly!  If you don't care, just own it and say you don't care.  But saying that they're all liars or you don't agree with either one is just not a good reason to me.  Vote for a third party, vote for local issues and abstain from voting for the President, do something.  But complaining about the political candidates/system and then not choosing to exercise your voice in a way that could actually effect change is just baffling to me.

mkarns

An uninformed vote is worse than not voting, IMO. Can you imagine if everyone who voted knew the agenda of the party they were actually voting for? A lot more would be getting done around here.

I voted for the people I believe in, on all levels.

 

Jen0204

mkarns:

An uninformed vote is worse than not voting, IMO. Can you imagine if everyone who voted knew the agenda of the party they were actually voting for? A lot more would be getting done around here.

I voted for the people I believe in, on all levels.

 

Honestly, I think we need to start with getting the candidates to be fully informed on their agendas 

jmccall79

Emma...Nope, it's too late...because I actually mailed in the form and got a letter back saying that all registrations had to be received by "X" date and that they'll process my registration once the election is over.  If I could find my voter registration card, I'd just go vote where I'm supposed to vote based on what my current registration is.  However, I can't find the card so I have no idea where I'm "supposed to vote".  Pathetic on my part, I know.

Shawnee11507

jmccall79:

Emma...Nope, it's too late...because I actually mailed in the form and got a letter back saying that all registrations had to be received by "X" date and that they'll process my registration once the election is over.  If I could find my voter registration card, I'd just go vote where I'm supposed to vote based on what my current registration is.  However, I can't find the card so I have no idea where I'm "supposed to vote".  Pathetic on my part, I know.

You can find your local polling place here:

https://www.vote411.org/enter-your-address#.UJlv74b1Ybs

Shawnee11507

EmmaBoBemma:

jmccall79:

I'm stupid and didn't send in my registration change in time when I moved.  I procrastinated and didn't early vote.  And I can't find my 'old' voter registration card to be able to vote at my old precinct.

 Maybe it's not like this everywhere..but I have not registered to vote and I can just take my I.D to the poll and get registered there. I live in Wisconsin...is this not typical? 

After reading this, I looked up our local rules to see if I could update my registration at the polls (moved from FL to KY). The rules here are you have to register or re-register 28 days before elections. Boo

MrsGlaedr

firecracker8:

MrsGlaedr:

The main reason is we were DUMB and forgot to re-register since we just moved to Texas and by the time we realized it was too late.

The reason I was hesitant to begin with is that I cant in good conscience vote for EITHER party. I voted originally for Obama but I disagree with a lot of his economical policies. And as a human being I hate Mccain-- he's been caught in many many lies and I disagree with almost all of his social standings on womans rights, abortion, gay marriage, etc. Id LIKE to say he'd have the best shot at fixing the economy but with all his lies whose to tell?

I wish I could vote third party and feel like it would make the slightest bit of difference.. 

Do you mean Romney? 

Jesus christ.... yes, I meant Romney. Kyle decided hes too cool to STTN anymore, so I blame that one on extreme sleep deprivation.

 

jmccall79

Hells Bells, apparently I don't exist in my state!  I know I've, at some point in time, registered.  I followed the link for my state, and did the voter lookup...I DON'T EXIST!  Again, I'm pathetic. Had I been more proactive with early voting, all of this would be a non-issue.  Ugh!

mkarns

 

I voted third party and I certainly didn't feel like I wasted my vote.