How many of you actually vote.
 

This thread was inspired by a post made by Cream in the Anti-Bush thread.

Like Cream said, it's nice to see so many people passionate about politics, but how many of you actually excercise your right to vote??

I couldn't wait to vote. I was lucky. The year I turned 18 Ontario was holding a provincial election. So I finnaly got to have my say.
Mnay of my friends don't vote and it's because of pure laziness.

October 2, Ontario is having another provincial election and I will be out to at the polls. Toronto is also having a municipal election soon.

Really, my question is how many people vote?? It doesn't matter who you vote for. But for those that don't vote. What is your reasoning behind it?

P.S Let's keep this civil please.

Since I turned 18 I believe I have only missed voting in 2 elections. I always voted absentee when I was in college.

My mother was very, very interested in politics and impressed upon me at a young age that voting was a very important thing to do and that if I didn't, I had no right to complain.

Thanks Mom. :D

I never miss an opportunity to vote whether the election is state,local or national.It just seems to me that if I didn't vote than I shouldn't be bitching about whats happening.

If I had that cute smiley with the waving hand I would put it in here!

I vote, I vote! I was 17 until January of my Freshman year at college. So I was so excited to register. They had it outside my cafeteria about a week after I turned 18. I made such a production about it and lectured people iin the cafe who weren't registered!! :D

I do have to say, sometimes I don't make it to elections for city slots - except I definitely get there for mayor. :o But I try. I only don't if I'm stuck at work or something...

I vote. Although I live in fear everyday that I will be called for jury duty (where do you think they get the jury lists from? the voter registration lists, uh huh, uh huh).

I vote in all presidential elections.

I was called for jury duty. I was really irritated because I couldn't afford to take time off work or possibly miss school at the time I was called I supposed to return to school in a few weeks. I wasn't trying to avoid my civil responsibilites, but I was excused from jury duty.

Actually...

They stopped getting jury lists from voter registration lists. People were beginning to not register to vote out of fear of being called to jury duty. So, now they get a jury list from the DMV. Basically, if you have a license, you're eligible to be a member of a jury.

I could be wrong and this could just be a Florida thing but I'm pretty sure that this is how they get their jury lists through out the rest of the US. (well...you're in Canada so it might be different :) )

Back on topic:

I am registered to vote and I've exercised that right in all the national and state elections. I've also voted in a few city/county elections. It's just hard to vote for the city/county elections since I'm registered to vote in a county different from where I now reside and don't know much about the candidates/issues (as I'm sure this is the case with many college students or people who have just recently graduated).

I only turned 18 two years ago, so I've yet to vote in a presidential election, but I've voted in a state-wide election and a local one. I plan to vote in all presidential elections and any local ones that I actually care about.

Most of my friends vote. As we were growing up, our social studies, history and civics teachers all talked about how important it is to vote, and I think that it actually made a difference.

WOW! I inspired a thread. :) :cool:

I vote every year. I have voted in every general election since I was 19. Like 33 girl, I voted by absentee ballot when I was in college. I also vote in the primary elections.

I vote because women couldn't vote until 1920. I vote because it is my civic duty. I vote because it is my voice in politics, public policy, and the future of the United States.

I never miss an opportunity to vote!

I turned 18 in 1991 and that was when there weren't any big elections where I lived at the time. I waited until the following to vote (Presidential Election). For a while, I didn't vote in odd year election, opting to vote in the even years. Now, my mom demands that I vote every year. I still dread those odd year elections, but I have to do it anyway!

http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/uhoh.gif

Vote 18 passed between my 18th and 21st birthday. I've voted in every national election -- and every state and/or local election, with only one exception I can think of since then.

I've also served jury duty and, although I didn't look forward to it beforehand, found it to be fascinating.

I have never missed voting in a general election since I turned 18. I voted by absentee ballot while away at college and on business - I didn't actually step foot in a voting booth until I was nearly 25.

I voted in the last presidential election.

I always vote. I feel honored that I live in a country where the people have a hand in choosing who leads them (cue marching band playing John Philip Sousa medley :D )

voting is a waste of time.

I have voted since I turned 18.

My mother denied my right to vote last year because I moved...

Apparently, it doesn't matter because I can vote in the Californian Recall Election coming October 7th...

Too bad, we Californicators, did not pass the "None of the above" proposition... 'Cuz now, I dunno who I'll vote for or against...

I only vote in the presidentual elections.

Voted in every election since turned 18, a looong time ago!:(

Just to say you vot in Presidential Elections is very short sighted!:o

How about the issues that are in your State, County, and City?

I have been in my own Businesses for 24 yrs and while not good to mix polotics and Bus. I flat tell them when they say I dont vote " Well dont let me hear you Bitch if you dont like the system"

I never served on a Jury, I tell them I am a convicted felon. Cant serve with that!:D

"Dont Vote, Dont Bitch"

Now, you know that ain't right...

You know you've been on the OJ trial if yah could have...

And I love the sayin... :) :rolleyes:

Yes, I vote! I'm involved with the Republican Party here in Tennessee and I vote for presidential and local elections.

I have only voted once. I moved around a lot in the years since I turned 18. I never knew where I should be voting.

I am stable now. Or at least a little more stable. :p My only excuse now is my memory. My uncle was PO'd that I didn't vote when Proposition 12 came up. I forgot, and to tell the truth I didn't know which way I was supposed to vote for or against. I need to read the paper more, greekchat less. :D

I have a questions about voting real quick - do you have to be registered for a certain amount of time before voting? My brother turns 18 on October 17th next year and wants to vote in the Presidential election.

You best believe I vote! :)

I'm 24 and yet to vote. When i find a candidate with a platform i like, i'll vote.

P.s. what does don't vote, don't bitch mean? Please elaborate, i think many of you are exaggerating the influence your vote has.

I get excited...do you?
 

I do. I guess I'd be wrong not to, since I majored in Political Science. :o

Next voting primary: October 4th...I can't wait! :D

I think so... if nothing else, you have to have registered far enough in advance of Election Day that your paperwork is processed and your name is on the voter rolls.

You can register to vote before you turn 18 (at least, you can in New York). During my senior year of HS, someone came to each of the social studies classes with voter registration forms. I was still 17, but I was told I could send the form in anyway. I got a letter back that basically said "You're registered to vote, but remember that you can't actually vote until after your 18th birthday."

I believe that if you switch political parties, you can't vote in a primary for your new party for a year. This is to prevent tactics such as a bunch of loyal members of Party X switching over to Party Y just before the primary, then voting for a weak Party Y candidate, so that their Party X candidate has a better shot at winning the office.

I vote at all major elections and primaries and some local eclections if they have tax reformendums that affect me.

Looks like you'll be waiting a long time then.

Anyway. You're right, my single vote really has no influence at all. But I see it as if I don't vote I haven't made my voice been heard (as quiet as it may be). When I don't vote, it's like having people decide my fate for me without my input. If you choose to abstain because of the lack a desirable candidate, then that's you're choice. I don't see anything wrong with that. I do however hate it when people bitch about politics and they haven't voted because they're just too damn lazy to get off their duff and do a little research.

Here in Canada there are many parties to choose from. Hell I'm thinking about voting Green because I am disgusted with the Tories, Liberals and the NDP!

It doesn't take much effort in picking up a newspaper or turning on the news, or surfing the internet to find out about a parties/candidates platform. If you haven't found anything that you agree with fine, don't vote. But if your reason for not voting is laziness then I don't want to hear you bitch about it.

Yes I vote!
I wholeheartedly agree with the "If you don't vote, then quit yer bitchin' "

Another thing. Some of my ancestors (who grew up in the South...no I am NOT bashing the South) were not able to vote or had to jump thru hoops (not to mention risk bodily harm) to vote because of their gender and the color of their skin.

I have the right to vote. Not taking advantage of that right is a slap in the face to my ancestors

I've voted in every election since i turned 18. (way back in '97) I got absentee ballots sent to me in college so i could vote in my home county.

Now that i'm up here, i've got to get registered to vote on the rez. Since i'm a enrolled member of the tribe, i get to vote for Tribal President!

And i also need to get registered to vote so i can help SD kick that commie daschle out of office [/obligatory conservative propaganda on political thread]

Kitso
KS 361

I've voted in every election I could, and will continue to. I'm starting to learn more about the city politics of Boston, so I will probably vote for city council and such next elections.

...and it looks the same for the next federal election....where's my homie Charest? If i do vote, it will be a damaged ballot voting for myself.

In regards to voting, i meant sometimes politicians take heat for larger economic issues that they have little control over.

I've voted in every election but one since I was 18. The one I missed was a minor local election, and I didn't even know there was an election happening. No mentions in the paper, no signs or advertisments for candidates, nothing. Just the next day, the paper ran an article announcing winners and complaining aout turn out. Of course there was pathertic turn out. No one knew there was an election in the first place... grrr.

I even vote in municipal elections.

I vote in every national, state and local election, including just ones with propositions.

My parents are VERY involved in politics...therefore I was dragged into it..but..I thank them for it :)

I've never missed -any- election since I've turned 18.

cc1gc,

if you do not vote dont bitch!

Dont complain if who you wanted to get in or a new law is passed that you dont like. If you cannot vote, then do not complain.

While your one small vote as someone said doesnt mean much, then a lot of small votes just might!

Hope this clear the clouds up for you! Blue Sky, is very pretty, but rain makes the grass grow!;)

I always vote!

I get giddy on election day....yes, I am a dork. But I love going to the polling place and casting that vote.