Did you vote? (1 Viewer)

[El Floppo]

Well?

I voted at 8:00am this morning in my EVil, NYC district. Only a couple of people there... probably the 2nd lowest turnout I've seen.

 

[jfranco77]

Voter #2 this morning.

 

[Hot Diggity Dog]

Vote cast for white supremacy, probing other people's vajayjay, and cutting taxes for football guys everywhere.

 

[Rayderr]

Will on the way home.

 

[Ignoramus]

Well which is it, mister?

If'n I vote, I can't rightly say "No". But if'n I didn't vote, I can't rightly say "Yes".

 

[TheIronSheik]

Well?

I voted at 8:00am this morning in my EVil, NYC district. Only a couple of people there... probably the 2nd lowest turnout I've seen.

What's an Evil NYC district? Hell's Kitchen?

 

[JaxBill]

Did early voting last week. High turnout expected in Florida which is somewhat surprising since the gubernatorial election comes down to which flavor of dreck you prefer.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I would have voted today, but I had no idea who was running. They should really devote some money to commercials.

 

[JaxBill]

Well?

I voted at 8:00am this morning in my EVil, NYC district. Only a couple of people there... probably the 2nd lowest turnout I've seen.

What's an Evil NYC district? Hell's Kitchen?

All of 'em dammit.

(I think he means East Village)

 

[McGarnicle]

The country is run by corporations who control much of what politicians do and say, therefore voting is a futile activity designed to make us believe we have any individual power and that there is any significant distinction between the candidates that would have any bearing on our daily lives. But just in case, yes, I voted for all republicans just to get out of there quickly and they gave me a sticker with a peach on it that says I voted.

 

[Hot Diggity Dog]

The country is run by corporations who control much of what politicians do and say, therefore voting is a futile activity designed to make us believe we have any individual power and that there is any significant distinction between the candidates that would have any bearing on our daily lives. But just in case, yes, I voted for all republicans just to get out of there quickly and they gave me a sticker with a peach on it that says I voted.

Tell me more about this sticker...

 

[Socrates11]

As I think my options are voting for a pile of #### or a pile of #### with a different smell, I make the informed decision not to vote. If I ever see anyone worth a damn to vote for, then I'll vote. I don't believe not voting means I have no say about anything with regards to our government, if anything I am much more informed than the average voter. If you get off on patting yourself on the back for voting just to say you did, run along, I'm not buying what you're selling.

 

[Hot Diggity Dog]

When comparing #### is it always by smell or is there some points given for color too?

 

[RCon]

Had a lot of state constitution and town charter issues on the ballot today, so I voted.

 

[Al O'Pecia]

I hate the 'look at me' aspect of voting these days. I'm not sure if people are aware of this, but it is possible to vote and not Facebook status line about it.

You voted, people, just like millions of others. You didn't find a cure for cancer so stop status lining like you just changed the world.

 

[glumpy]

I always vote if only for the local issues that affect me most immediately.

 

[TobiasFunke]

As I think my options are voting for a pile of #### or a pile of #### with a different smell, I make the informed decision not to vote. If I ever see anyone worth a damn to vote for, then I'll vote. I don't believe not voting means I have no say about anything with regards to our government, if anything I am much more informed than the average voter. If you get off on patting yourself on the back for voting just to say you did, run along, I'm not buying what you're selling.

No local politics on your ballot? How about referendums? It would be weird to describe "yes" and "no" as piles of #### with different smells.

 

[timschochet]

18 million people early voted.

How long before all voting is done online, at home or at ATM machines? Going to make the whole voter ID issue irrelevant.

 

[ChiefD]

I'll vote at lunch.

I understand the idea of money ruling our elected officials. And I understand that elected officials are slaves to the parties they represent. I know that corporations control a lot of the legislation that happens in our country. I know the whole system is corrupt and that my singular vote may or may not make a difference.

I vote because a lot of men and women died to give me the opportunity to do this.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I always vote if only for the local issues that affect me most immediately.

All politics is local.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Republicans and Democrats are the same... They pick a few issues to oppose each other and everyone picks a side. At the end of the day it makes zero difference. I didn't vote and it doesn't matter if Joe the lying Democrat or Bob the lying Republican is elected to me.

 

[Al O'Pecia]

As I think my options are voting for a pile of #### or a pile of #### with a different smell, I make the informed decision not to vote. If I ever see anyone worth a damn to vote for, then I'll vote. I don't believe not voting means I have no say about anything with regards to our government, if anything I am much more informed than the average voter. If you get off on patting yourself on the back for voting just to say you did, run along, I'm not buying what you're selling.

No local politics on your ballot? How about referendums? It would be weird to describe "yes" and "no" as piles of #### with different smells.

Cost-benefit analysis.

Does the referendum outcome really matter to me? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is the referendum vote likely to be so close that my vote may change the outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is it worth my time, energy, or possible lost wages to potentially help get my desired outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, vote.

 

[jamny]

Normally vote in the morning but had an early job today.

 

[CBusAlex]

Did early voting last week. High turnout expected in Florida which is somewhat surprising since the gubernatorial election comes down to which flavor of dreck you prefer.

Well, there is an amendment on the ballot this year which may actually motivate some of the more traditionally disinterested young people to get to the polls. You know, the one about the timing of judicial appointments.

 

[saintfool]

voted this morning in my ward here in Chicago.

here's what i don't get: paper ballots. i go in to cast my vote and the ballot people hand me a black ink pen, a couple of long sheets of paper and tell me to have at it.

2014 people.

 

[timschochet]

Republicans and Democrats are the same... They pick a few issues to oppose each other and everyone picks a side. At the end of the day it makes zero difference. I didn't vote and it doesn't matter if Joe the lying Democrat or Bob the lying Republican is elected to me.

but this simply isn't true. Of course it makes a huge difference. Look at Obamacare. Whether or not you think that is a good law, it has surely affected your life already, or it will, in a very significant manner. It could not have happened without a Democrat President, Senate, and Congress. Just one example of the many differences between Dems and Republicans. This idea that there is no difference between them is pretty tiresome and just false.

 

[TobiasFunke]

As I think my options are voting for a pile of #### or a pile of #### with a different smell, I make the informed decision not to vote. If I ever see anyone worth a damn to vote for, then I'll vote. I don't believe not voting means I have no say about anything with regards to our government, if anything I am much more informed than the average voter. If you get off on patting yourself on the back for voting just to say you did, run along, I'm not buying what you're selling.

No local politics on your ballot? How about referendums? It would be weird to describe "yes" and "no" as piles of #### with different smells.

Cost-benefit analysis.

Does the referendum outcome really matter to me? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is the referendum vote likely to be so close that my vote may change the outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is it worth my time, energy, or possible lost wages to potentially help get my desired outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, vote.

This is flawed in a number of ways:

1. There's probably multiple referendums on a single ballot, which changes the cost/benefit

2. There are also probably multiple local positions up for election on a single ballot (state legislature, city/county council, school board, judge, whatever) that likely have a far more significant impact on your day-to-day life than your congressperson- again, changes the cost/benefit

3. Winning and losing are not the only takeaways from elections. Margins matter. A candidate or referendum or even a political party that does better than expected might be encouraged to run again/reappear during the next election while a worse than expected result has the opposite effect. For example of you want a third party candidate to eventually win a national office the only way to do that is to start getting those candidates more and more votes until people eventually take their candidacy seriously. It's a tipping point type deal.

 

[gianmarco]

I only vote in the FFA. I did vote here.

 

[saintfool]

I only vote in the FFA. I did vote here.

if only all elections were framed as questions like "how hot?" instead of "do you support the ballot initiative that changes the county water commissioner's powers to...."

 

[Gawain]

I'll generally vote third party in any race where someone else is an option (except for Jimmy McMillan). NY has Green and Libertarian candidates for Governor, Comptroller and Attorney General, so I'll stroll in after work and gladly throw my vote away.

 

[fourd]

As I think my options are voting for a pile of #### or a pile of #### with a different smell, I make the informed decision not to vote. If I ever see anyone worth a damn to vote for, then I'll vote. I don't believe not voting means I have no say about anything with regards to our government, if anything I am much more informed than the average voter. If you get off on patting yourself on the back for voting just to say you did, run along, I'm not buying what you're selling.

No local politics on your ballot? How about referendums? It would be weird to describe "yes" and "no" as piles of #### with different smells.

Cost-benefit analysis.

Does the referendum outcome really matter to me? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is the referendum vote likely to be so close that my vote may change the outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is it worth my time, energy, or possible lost wages to potentially help get my desired outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, vote.

This is flawed in a number of ways:

1. There's probably multiple referendums on a single ballot, which changes the cost/benefit

2. There are also probably multiple local positions up for election on a single ballot (state legislature, city/county council, school board, judge, whatever) that likely have a far more significant impact on your day-to-day life than your congressperson- again, changes the cost/benefit

3. Winning and losing are not the only takeaways from elections. Margins matter. A candidate or referendum or even a political party that does better than expected might be encouraged to run again/reappear during the next election while a worse than expected result has the opposite effect. For example of you want a third party candidate to eventually win a national office the only way to do that is to start getting those candidates more and more votes until people eventually take their candidacy seriously. It's a tipping point type deal.

From Seth Godin's blog yesterday.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/11/i-am-not-a-cobbler.html

 

[gianmarco]

I actually plan on looking through the first 5 pages of every forum here and voting as much as possible to do my part today.

 

[urbanhack]

voted this morning in my ward here in Chicago.

here's what i don't get: paper ballots. i go in to cast my vote and the ballot people hand me a black ink pen, a couple of long sheets of paper and tell me to have at it.

2014 people.

Yes...this sucks. Took me 20 minutes to connect all those ####### lines!

 

[psychobillies]

I never understood all of this "encouraging others to vote" business. If someone needs to be urged to vote, they're probably just guessing with their vote, or being told what to vote for. That is not a good thing.

Generally, I just vote against incumbents and vote against increased spending and taxes.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

As I think my options are voting for a pile of #### or a pile of #### with a different smell, I make the informed decision not to vote. If I ever see anyone worth a damn to vote for, then I'll vote. I don't believe not voting means I have no say about anything with regards to our government, if anything I am much more informed than the average voter. If you get off on patting yourself on the back for voting just to say you did, run along, I'm not buying what you're selling.

No local politics on your ballot? How about referendums? It would be weird to describe "yes" and "no" as piles of #### with different smells.

Yep agree, in my opinion the local stuff is even more important than the national races which get all the attention.

 

[TobiasFunke]

As I think my options are voting for a pile of #### or a pile of #### with a different smell, I make the informed decision not to vote. If I ever see anyone worth a damn to vote for, then I'll vote. I don't believe not voting means I have no say about anything with regards to our government, if anything I am much more informed than the average voter. If you get off on patting yourself on the back for voting just to say you did, run along, I'm not buying what you're selling.

No local politics on your ballot? How about referendums? It would be weird to describe "yes" and "no" as piles of #### with different smells.

Yep agree, in my opinion the local stuff is even more important than the national races which get all the attention.

Tell me about it- I'm voting to legalize weed today.

 

[Al O'Pecia]

As I think my options are voting for a pile of #### or a pile of #### with a different smell, I make the informed decision not to vote. If I ever see anyone worth a damn to vote for, then I'll vote. I don't believe not voting means I have no say about anything with regards to our government, if anything I am much more informed than the average voter. If you get off on patting yourself on the back for voting just to say you did, run along, I'm not buying what you're selling.

No local politics on your ballot? How about referendums? It would be weird to describe "yes" and "no" as piles of #### with different smells.

Cost-benefit analysis.

Does the referendum outcome really matter to me? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is the referendum vote likely to be so close that my vote may change the outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is it worth my time, energy, or possible lost wages to potentially help get my desired outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, vote.

This is flawed in a number of ways:

No, it's not.

1. There's probably multiple referendums on a single ballot, which changes the cost/benefit.

Obviously on the bolded. If I feel like the referendum have enough of an impact on my life and I feel my vote may change the outcome of the referndum - I vote. One referendum may rise to the level of having a significant enough impact on my life that I vote, or it may be the cumulative effect of several referendums that motivate me to vote. Just because there are mutiple referendums doesn't mean that there will be one that impacts my life or that the cumulative effect of the referendums will impact my life. On top of that, every referendum could be so lopsided that my vote wouldn't sway any one of them.

2. There are also probably multiple local positions up for election on a single ballot (state legislature, city/county council, school board, judge, whatever) that likely have a far more significant impact on your day-to-day life than your congressperson- again, changes the cost/benefit.

I live in a single party rule district, a county that leans very heavily toward one party, and a state that also leans heavily toward that party. My vote, either for or against that party, is highly unlikley to change the outcome.

3. Winning and losing are not the only takeaways from elections. Margins matter. A candidate or referendum or even a political party that does better than expected might be encouraged to run again/reappear during the next election while a worse than expected result has the opposite effect. For example of you want a third party candidate to eventually win a national office the only way to do that is to start getting those candidates more and more votes until people eventually take their candidacy seriously. It's a tipping point type deal.

I'm aware of this, but that is not enough of a motivating factor for me to vote if I am not already moved to vote for or against a candidate or referendum on the ballot. You place more value on that benefit than I do. That's why my logic is not flawed. We just place different values on the costs and benefits of voting.

4. If I don't care that much about me not voting, then why do you care so much about me not voting?

 

[Courtjester]

There were several local issues (specifically two fairly significant property tax increases) that were important to me.

I like voting. Too many people in this world would/have died for the right to do it, so why should I take the right for granted and be too lazy to do it.

Call me idealistic or naive, but....

 

[TobiasFunke]

As I think my options are voting for a pile of #### or a pile of #### with a different smell, I make the informed decision not to vote. If I ever see anyone worth a damn to vote for, then I'll vote. I don't believe not voting means I have no say about anything with regards to our government, if anything I am much more informed than the average voter. If you get off on patting yourself on the back for voting just to say you did, run along, I'm not buying what you're selling.

No local politics on your ballot? How about referendums? It would be weird to describe "yes" and "no" as piles of #### with different smells.

Cost-benefit analysis.

Does the referendum outcome really matter to me? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is the referendum vote likely to be so close that my vote may change the outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is it worth my time, energy, or possible lost wages to potentially help get my desired outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, vote.

This is flawed in a number of ways:

No, it's not.

1. There's probably multiple referendums on a single ballot, which changes the cost/benefit.

Obviously on the bolded. If I feel like the referendum have enough of an impact on my life and I feel my vote may change the outcome of the referndum - I vote. One referendum may rise to the level of having a significant enough impact on my life that I vote, or it may be the cumulative effect of several referendums that motivate me to vote. Just because there are mutiple referendums doesn't mean that there will be one that impacts my life or that the cumulative effect of the referendums will impact my life. On top of that, every referendum could be so lopsided that my vote wouldn't sway any one of them.

2. There are also probably multiple local positions up for election on a single ballot (state legislature, city/county council, school board, judge, whatever) that likely have a far more significant impact on your day-to-day life than your congressperson- again, changes the cost/benefit.

I live in a single party rule district, a county that leans very heavily toward one party, and a state that also leans heavily toward that party. My vote, either for or against that party, is highly unlikley to change the outcome.

3. Winning and losing are not the only takeaways from elections. Margins matter. A candidate or referendum or even a political party that does better than expected might be encouraged to run again/reappear during the next election while a worse than expected result has the opposite effect. For example of you want a third party candidate to eventually win a national office the only way to do that is to start getting those candidates more and more votes until people eventually take their candidacy seriously. It's a tipping point type deal.

I'm aware of this, but that is not enough of a motivating factor for me to vote if I am not already moved to vote for or against a candidate or referendum on the ballot. You place more value on that benefit than I do. That's why my logic is not flawed. We just place different values on the costs and benefits of voting.

4. If I don't care that much about me not voting, then why do you care so much about me not voting?

I don't care about you not voting. It's your time, do your thing. I responded because lots of people read this forum and I wanted to reply to a post that could discourage people from voting with a post that showed that the flaws in that logic generally speaking.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I vote for pretty much the same reason that I watch the Super Bowl (even if I don't give a #### who's playing in it) and the Academy Awards. Because there are certain things I do to participate in the national culture. I do it without caring all that much about whether my preferred position or candidate will win (I hope DC legalizes weed, but I otherwise voted for a bunch of Green/Statehood party candidates who won't win). I'm just expressing my own personal preference. I agree that it isn't a big deal. I don't take a sticker or anything.

 

[siffoin]

In Idaho it always comes down to 2 VERY different candidates.

#1) Is the incumbent. This is a hard-line conservative Republican who can stand on his record of voting to appeal Obamacare, protecting MY Second Amendment Rights, and insuring that Marriage is protected as an act between ONE Man and ONE Woman.

#2) He's the Washington outsider and a vote for REAL change. An honest hard-line conservative Republican who if elected will vote to appeal Obamacare, protect My Second Amendment Rights and make sure that Marriage is protected as an act between One Man and One Woman.

 

[Slapdash]

The country is run by corporations who control much of what politicians do and say, therefore voting is a futile activity designed to make us believe we have any individual power and that there is any significant distinction between the candidates that would have any bearing on our daily lives.

While this is true, the only way to have less power is not to vote at all. You have to use what little control you have.

 

[Al O'Pecia]

As I think my options are voting for a pile of #### or a pile of #### with a different smell, I make the informed decision not to vote. If I ever see anyone worth a damn to vote for, then I'll vote. I don't believe not voting means I have no say about anything with regards to our government, if anything I am much more informed than the average voter. If you get off on patting yourself on the back for voting just to say you did, run along, I'm not buying what you're selling.

No local politics on your ballot? How about referendums? It would be weird to describe "yes" and "no" as piles of #### with different smells.

Cost-benefit analysis.

Does the referendum outcome really matter to me? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is the referendum vote likely to be so close that my vote may change the outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, then...

Is it worth my time, energy, or possible lost wages to potentially help get my desired outcome? If no, then why vote? If yes, vote.

This is flawed in a number of ways:

No, it's not.

1. There's probably multiple referendums on a single ballot, which changes the cost/benefit.

Obviously on the bolded. If I feel like the referendum have enough of an impact on my life and I feel my vote may change the outcome of the referndum - I vote. One referendum may rise to the level of having a significant enough impact on my life that I vote, or it may be the cumulative effect of several referendums that motivate me to vote. Just because there are mutiple referendums doesn't mean that there will be one that impacts my life or that the cumulative effect of the referendums will impact my life. On top of that, every referendum could be so lopsided that my vote wouldn't sway any one of them.

2. There are also probably multiple local positions up for election on a single ballot (state legislature, city/county council, school board, judge, whatever) that likely have a far more significant impact on your day-to-day life than your congressperson- again, changes the cost/benefit.

I live in a single party rule district, a county that leans very heavily toward one party, and a state that also leans heavily toward that party. My vote, either for or against that party, is highly unlikley to change the outcome.

3. Winning and losing are not the only takeaways from elections. Margins matter. A candidate or referendum or even a political party that does better than expected might be encouraged to run again/reappear during the next election while a worse than expected result has the opposite effect. For example of you want a third party candidate to eventually win a national office the only way to do that is to start getting those candidates more and more votes until people eventually take their candidacy seriously. It's a tipping point type deal.

I'm aware of this, but that is not enough of a motivating factor for me to vote if I am not already moved to vote for or against a candidate or referendum on the ballot. You place more value on that benefit than I do. That's why my logic is not flawed. We just place different values on the costs and benefits of voting.

4. If I don't care that much about me not voting, then why do you care so much about me not voting?

I don't care about you not voting. It's your time, do your thing. I responded because lots of people read this forum and I wanted to reply to a post that could discourage people from voting with a post that showed that the flaws in that logic generally speaking.

The faulty logic is you thinking that lots of people are reading your posts and they're going to motivate a non-voters to vote.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I only vote in the FFA. I did vote here.

I didn't even vote here. It's not like my vote will mean anything.

 

[RUSF18]

Well?

I voted at 8:00am this morning in my EVil, NYC district. Only a couple of people there... probably the 2nd lowest turnout I've seen.

I'm embarassed to admit I forgot. Are there any major NYC or NYS issues on the ballot this year?

eta: Seems like there's a vote on a $2B bond issuance for technology upgrades in schools. I'll head over at lunch.

 

[Slapdash]

Republicans and Democrats are the same... They pick a few issues to oppose each other and everyone picks a side. At the end of the day it makes zero difference. I didn't vote and it doesn't matter if Joe the lying Democrat or Bob the lying Republican is elected to me.

but this simply isn't true. Of course it makes a huge difference. Look at Obamacare. Whether or not you think that is a good law, it has surely affected your life already, or it will, in a very significant manner. It could not have happened without a Democrat President, Senate, and Congress. Just one example of the many differences between Dems and Republicans. This idea that there is no difference between them is pretty tiresome and just false.

Obamacare would have passed even more quickly with a Republican president, it just would have a different name.

 

[TobiasFunke]

The faulty logic is you thinking that lots of people are reading your posts and they're going to motivate a non-voters to vote.

And your faulty logic is thinking that it would require lots of people changing their mind to make it worth my while to write up my post. I'm just shooting the #### on the internet with some iFriends to pass the time.

 

[Gawain]

Well?

I voted at 8:00am this morning in my EVil, NYC district. Only a couple of people there... probably the 2nd lowest turnout I've seen.

I'm embarassed to admit I forgot. Are there any major NYC or NYS issues on the ballot this year?

eta: Seems like there's a vote on a $2B bond issuance for technology upgrades in schools. I'll head over at lunch.

Hope you are voting no. There's a bunch of terrible ideas in this bond measure.

 

[3C's]

Not yet. Possibly won't. Only 2 races to vote for and the incumbents will win by wide margins. No referendums, nothing else to vote for. I'll tell my kids I did vote even if I don't so they know how important it is to vote.

 

[Das Boot]

Glad this thread was a poll.

I usually vote in the evening after work.