Did you vote in the last elections?

you know only mods/admins can see this forum right now right?

That's what I assumed, 'hood.

And TI, I sure did. My first time being able to vote and I got to the polls.

Yes I did and I'm not even afraid to say I voted Republican... and am damn proud I did

Mac Guru

Never missed an election since I turned 18.

I figured that, but I just couldn't resist the temptation to be the first one to post in a completely empty forum

No I did not!

Yay for another mod forum.

Bad lazy apathetic american

Ummm.. OK . I'm lazy, but that's not the point.

If I could have voted in the last election I would have.

Heh, you win, that's a good reason.

now open to people of the non-blue/red persuasion

This non blue/ red persuaded individual voted. This non b/r bel;ieves that if you didn't vote, you damned well better stfu and not bitch about ANYTHING. Ditto for non creative totally legit taxpaying.

.

Hm...might those who did not vote in the last election be less likely to vote on other issues...like this poll?

So this is how the admins spend their time....

I have voted in every national election since I was 18. I have abstained from some local elections as I had not been there long enough to know what any of the issues were or what baggage the candidates may carry, but once I'm up to speed, I also vote in all the local elections too.

You're surprised?

Voted in every federal elections since I was 18 - including off-term elections.

I haven't been as active in local elections - I'm not home most of the time (student) so I don't feel comfortable voting for school board and such - but I do vote for town mayor and council electons, plus every state-wide election.

Though, I think I'll eventually crack and write in cartoon characters for every ballot someday.

WooHoo! Pikachu in 2004!!

I did not vote, but not for lack of trying.

My registration was lost by the county... so I was "disenfranchised." Where was Jesse Jackson?

Had I voted, I would have placed my vote for Harry Browne (at the time), but since 9/11 he's said some things that would have made me regret that vote. But I did vote for him in '96.

In '92, I was one day short of 18 years old.

It's good to see that the majority on the forum vote!

I also am a consistant voter, national primary, & off year elections! It's a duty of American citizenship!

I like to see how many people who complain actually voted. If you don't vote, you can't complain. PERIOD!

I've always voted in every national election.
Local elections I have missed a few, for various logistical reasons. Probably since being able to vote in 1976, I reckon I've missed 3 or 4 elections. AND I complain about the outcome. (or am happy about the outcome...depending).

Voted in every presidential election since 1956 (Eisenhower). Can't complain if you don't vote.

Yes. believe it or not, in the last election, I voted for a Democrat. (Tony Williams, Mayor of the District of Columbia).

Don't vote - it only encourages politicians.

Why not?

Surely it should be 'if you did vote, you can't complain', because it was your complicity in the system that got <whatever you want to complain about> done.

In any of the Democracies (or Republics, if you count them as separate) with which I am familiar, you are asked to vote for someone or some party with which you only partially agree. Therefore it is your fault if things with which you do not agree happen.

Before you ask I do not know what the solution is - it probably lies in issue voting rather than personality and/or party voting - but I do know that blaming non-voters within the current system is not the answer.

Did ya accidentally punch the hole in the wrong spot?

Of course I voted for every election I could, except for the European Parliament (I am in Japan, so I can't).

"Blaming" is the wrong expression.

Either you want the system of government that rules you, or you want to abolish it. I think we can all agree that representative democracy in its numerous modern incarnations is one of the least vile systems of government available.

Within that system, EVERY eligible citizen has a RESPONSIBILITY to MAKE IT WORK. It does this by every citizen voting *to the best of their conscience and ability*.

-s*

Nah. If it can't, by definition, 'work', then how can anyone that can't effect the situation have the responsibility for 'making it work'?

And shouting won't make it so.

I will vote when, and only when, a candidate agrees with me on everything, even on things that I haven't thought about yet. As this is unlikely to happen, I ain't likely to vote.

The candidate that buys the most votes wins. People sell their votes for numerous things, the least of whch is money, but generally on a compromise. Thus you get a sort of democracy - those politicians that can convince the most people to sell out their personal beliefs win the election.

This is adequate as a form of governance, but it doesn't need my (or your) connivance.

You have misunderstood one of the most basic premises of representative democracy, and you have indeed forfeited your right to complain about current politics.

Harsh, but true.

-s*

I'll be voting for the first time in the next general election.