Election day.

[Jill F]

so, what happens if you don't

I think they get fed to the crocs or something.

At least this time I can do it in person because my legal name matches my appearance.  One of the first things I made sure to do after the name change was to get my voter info updated.

[Ms Grace]

so, what happens if you don't

I think they get fed to the crocs or something.

Yes...

[Paige]

That just makes me SICK - all these people complain and whine, then on Election Day they can't be bothered to go vote.

Hi Erin,

I'm not so sure it's entirely the fault of these people.  There's a concerted effort to convince everyone that politics doesn't matter and their vote won't make a difference in their life.   It's not an accident that these politicians at the trough want to make the system look as ridiculous as possible.   The big money, doesn't want the disenfranchise to vote and change the system they love.   By convincing people to be apathetic, they give more power to the few who regularly vote, and support their agenda.

My two cents,  sorry if it sounded a bit like a rant.
Paige

[ErinWDK]

Sadly, there is more than a little truth to this.  I have a close friend who will NOT vote.  Nothing I say has any effect.

The real word for this is SAD.


Erin

[Miss_Bungle1991]

I stopped voting in 08 and I am glad that I did. I see no point in voting for a bunch of liars. I refuse to participate in the circus that is our political system. It's all smoke and mirrors since all of them are bought off anyway. The agenda that they want just keeps rolling on and it doesn't matter who you vote for. If voting were compulsory, I would write in 'Portia Porcupine' and leave it at that. It wouldn't be anymore of a joke than what the system is and has been for a long time. They all talk a big game on the campaign trail. But once they are in office, they just screw you over.

No thanks. I will stay home and smack my big toes with a hammer instead. 

[Jill F]

I stopped voting in 08 and I am glad that I did. I see no point in voting for a bunch of liars. I refuse to participate in the circus that is our political system. It's all smoke and mirrors since all of them are bought off anyway. The agenda that they want just keeps rolling on and it doesn't matter who you vote for. If voting were compulsory, I would write in 'Portia Porcupine' and leave it at that. It wouldn't be anymore of a joke than what the system is and has been for a long time. They all talk a big game on the campaign trail. But once they are in office, they just screw you over.

No thanks. I will stay home and smack my big toes with a hammer instead.  

Sledge, ball peen or claw?

OK, we all know that you can't get elected to a major office without being beholden to your corporate handlers, and this problem (no thanks to SCOTUS) is just getting worse.

However, I would like a say on how things are done on a more local level.  There are bad judges that have to go, school disctricts that could fall to the wrong crowd, people who don't seem to care about water quality and ballot propositions that are nothing more than big money-grabs for special interests.  The politicians are crooks, but there are other issues where your say does matter.

[Devlyn]

I'll give you the nod that local issues can be affected by voting. But even if every single citizen voted for a third party candidate,  the electoral college would give us a democrat or republican President.

[Miss_Bungle1991]

I'll give you the nod that local issues can be affected by voting.

The problem in my area is that so many candidates run unopposed.

[Devlyn]

My uncle was a Town Clerk for most of his adult life. I don't think anyone ever ran against him.

[Joelene9]

  My great-grandfather was a physician and CO state legislator in the 1930's. He was the first doctor elected to help pass the early CO health and safety laws. This after he was shot by a jealous husband and run out of the town of Wray, CO by cheating on my great-grandmother some 15 years previous. That newspaper account towards him was quite vitriolic. It is still funny how politicians get elected.
  I was raised by this axiom: If you don't vote, don't gripe!

Joelene

[stephaniec]

I think they get fed to the crocs or something.


Yes...

[Miss_Bungle1991]

I was raised by this axiom: If you don't vote, don't gripe!
Joelene

Meh. That's the oldest cop-out in the book. So, when the schmucks in office screw everything up, can I point at the electorate and say that it's their fault since they voted for these idiots?

[Devlyn]

While I do agree with the axiom, this, this, this!

Meh. That's the oldest cop-out in the book. So, when the schmucks in office screw everything up, can I point at the electorate and say that it's their fault since they voted for these idiots?

For all the political powwowing done here, I'd be surprised if anyone can name their State's electorates. Gauntlet laid down.

[Pikachu]

Meh. That's the oldest cop-out in the book. So, when the schmucks in office screw everything up, can I point at the electorate and say that it's their fault since they voted for these idiots?

Well, I always vote for the people who lose the election. Don't blame me.

No one's going to add the George Carlin clip?

[ImagineKate]

I'll give you the nod that local issues can be affected by voting. But even if every single citizen voted for a third party candidate,  the electoral college would give us a democrat or republican President.

For me local is where it's at. I am disgusted at the politics in NJ. Nationally I really don't care that much. Local affects me more.

[ImagineKate]

I wasn't suggesting you were shaming, I was just pointing out that there's plenty of it out there.

I am not shaming either.

Truthfully? I would rather some people not vote. The people who vote to take away my freedoms - freedom to marry, freedom to own guns, even freedom to pump my own gas. I would rather have those people not vote.

[Paige]

Meh. That's the oldest cop-out in the book. So, when the schmucks in office screw everything up, can I point at the electorate and say that it's their fault since they voted for these idiots?

Hi Laura,

No I don't think you can since most are voting for their least disliked candidates.  Most of the time people don't have the option of voting for a person they want.

But really what's the solution to this corrupt system if you don't vote?  Rebellion?  If no one ever challenges the status quo, what's going to change it?   By the way, there are much better electoral systems in the world than the U.S. system.  Maybe something to shoot for?

Also, it's not unheard of for fringe candidates to get elected, Bernie Sanders comes to mind. 

Paige

[amZo]

Well, I always vote for the people who lose the election. Don't blame me.

No one's going to add the George Carlin clip?

Certainly.... 

[Karen345]

Man, I voted and all, but we really need to get rid of our serious gerymandering problem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mky11UJb9AY&list=UU2C_jShtL725hvbm1arSV9w

And maybe implement some fancy new non first past the post voting systems:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8XOZJkozfI&list=UU2C_jShtL725hvbm1arSV9w

[Mariah]

I voted, but this state allows everyone to vote by Absentee ballot. So no pulling place required. As a result of this not being a Presidential election, it is a very low turn out. Sorry that yours is compulsory. I like having the right to vote, but I would dislike being forced to or face some type of consequence.
Mariah

In Australia we vote on a Saturday...and it's compulsory.