I always make it a point to vote. I'm also in the "if ya don't vote, ya can't bitch" camp.

Like I'd want to miss an opportunity to bitch.....;)

That's me too tinydancer! If you don't vote, don't complain!

ditto...i vote whenever there is an election.

He can go to the polls on Election Day and just vote for President (but nothing else) there, if you're not registered. This is what I did for my first election. Now I'm registered at home in Florida, and I've voted for every single election since I was eligible.

Of course I vote! As many people who fought and died for my right to vote, I'd be a fool not to.

After watching bits of the Democratic debate last night, I think when I change my voter registration for my new address, I'm going to register as a Democrat. I have always been independant, but with so many candidates, I think it's time I put my voice into who we put up for the election. I registered independant when I was 18 because, believe it or not, I had some conservative tendancies...Heck, if I dug a candidate enough I might even vote for them if they were Republican (Colin Powell - are you reading this?!?)

I vote! Me over here!!! I wish we had a Rock the Vote here in KY, I would so volunteer!


No vote... no b**ching!

I've voted in all but three elections since I became eligible to vote WAY back in 1986.

Like many of you, I do it because my voice gets heard, and, I don't believe anyone that doesn't vote doesn't have the right to complain about how things turn out. If you vote, you therefore have a probable chance of affecting the outcome, then you can complain as loudly as you want, but it seems most of the people I know that complain the most, never have voted - I just find that paradoxical.

The hard part is in know HOW to vote on issues/candidates - there's a lot of logic and emotion that goes into decision making - make sure your logical decision is sound, and only go against logic if your heart TRULY tells you it is the right way to go.

bump

Well said! :-D

I'm registered independent, so I can't vote on primaries, but there are always 2 or 3 issues that find their way into those elections, too. So I go vote. And the little old ladies ask me which party I am, and when I tell them independent, they say "You can't vote on primaries" and I have to remind them that I can vote on the issues. :rolleyes:

I vote because at least I know I did what I could to get who I wanted elected. Also I make sure that I'm educated on who I'm voting for, I don't just pick one because they sounded nice.

Re: How many of you actually vote.
 

Most of the students at Iowa State dont realize that since there is no state residency requirement to register to vote that they can register to vote at their school address. Of course most dont vote anyways or even understand voting issues...

The Iowa State Daily (our student newspaper) has had numerous letters to the editor and columns with students whining about how "unfair" it is that the sales tax went up a percent. Well- to raise the sales tax there's a public vote.
I'm proud to say that I voted to raise the sales tax. The money from the sales tax is building a new middle school in 3 of the county school districts as well as funding rennovations in the other 2.

In the past year I have voted in 2 city elections (school board and city council), 1 run-off, 1 primary, and 3 referendums. Next month is school board election.

edit: it probably helps that I grew up nearby and am active in city organizations and not just a mindless college student oblivious to the happenings of the city.

I agree with the no vote=no bitching thing. I have a lot of friends who didn't vote in the last presidential election and are complaining up a storm now. While I agree with a lot of what they're saying, they could have helped if they had voted.

I also vote every year, no matter how small the election. I send away for my absentee ballot and encourage my friends to do the same thing. I wish my school educated people more on how to get an absentee ballot. 70% of the students are out-of-state, and I think they're missing out by not excercising their right to vote.

I have voted at EVERY election since 1998. Even when I was in school away from home, I got my absentee ballot mailed to me. :D

In Iowa you can declare a party for the caucus/primary and thus participate/vote.

Me too. :)

My parents have both been very involved in politics...both of them have been elected officials in town in the past. I learned the importance of voting at a VERY early age.