The 2006 Election Season is Over

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
[q=MrFun]Why would independent voters vote for candidates, knowing there is little chance they will win [/q]

Um... because they agree with them the most? Silly me, I though Democracy was about voting for the person who has the closest views to yours. Hell, why vote anyway... just have the two headed monster decide everything.

Fixed -- you put Dis in when you quoted me.

[Dinner]

I routinely vote for no chance in hell parties. During the last election I didn't like the two main candidates for governor so as a protest I voted for the Green Party candidate. The guy likely didn't even get 1% of the vote.

[Wycoff]

Imran

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Oerdin
I routinely vote for no chance in hell parties. During the last election I didn't like the two main candidates for governor so as a protest I voted for the Green Party candidate. The guy likely didn't even get 1% of the vote.

What is the difference between knowingly throwing your vote away like that, and abstaining from voting altogether?

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by MrFun
Your vote is more likely to have an effect if you vote for a political party that meets as much of your principles as possible, but still capable of showing strong competition during elections.

No it isn't. How many elections are decided by 1 vote? Your vote is 1 out of how many millions? Sorry, not buying that argument.

[Wycoff]

Originally posted by MrFun



What is the difference between knowingly throwing your vote away like that, and abstaining from voting altogether?

In one case you're going out and voting for someone, and that vote is counted. You've shown your support

In the other case, you're only counted as not voting. That could be a protest (as it was for me this election, in which I didn't have any candidates for whom I wanted to vote), or it could be apathy. The message isn't as clear, and people tend to treat them all as apathy.

Anyway, you're presupposing that all of us "Independent" voters prefer one major party over another. I disagree with both major parties pretty much equally. Thus, there's no reason for me to vote for either one of them unless they have a rogue candidate that's running on some platforms that contradict the party's position on those platforms.

Anyway, to MrFun for demanding that we all be lemmings in the 2 party system.

[SlowwHand]

Voting says you care. Not voting says you don't care.
It's as simple as that, and I voted.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by MrFun



What is the difference between knowingly throwing your vote away like that, and abstaining from voting altogether?

A few things

1. In our Canadian system, every vote can mean money for the party

2. Even in minority no win situations-- growing support shows up-- now that the Greens are no longer a below 1% party, people give them a bit more legitimacy and actually listen to them more-- New parties have to start somewhere and if no one ever voted for them because they "can't win" well new parties could go nowhere

3. I believe in democracy-- While that may be trite, I really believe it is my job to actually think about the candiadtes/parties and make a choice each time. Even if my choice loses that does not disssuade me

4. Oh and I am capable of tactical voting -- If I found a contending candidate offensive I would vote for my second or third choice among the rest if they were the best chance to win.

5. Lastly I believe in protest votes -- I will vote against a particular party. Perhaps my one vote won't register but when thousands of othersdo the same thing, politicians take note of the dissaticfaction

[DRoseDARs]

I'm surprised no one (especially you, Ramo) has mentioned yet the district in Florida with 18,000 undervotes. The Republican "won" the seat by about 300 votes there, but still 18,000 ballots showed no choice for any candidate in that race. It's still being looked at and may be challenged.

[Ramo]

I doubt it. The challenge isn't going anywhere in the Courts, and one more seat isn't worth all the **** that would happen if Pelosi forces a new election.

[DRoseDARs]

But 18,000 just *poof* into the ether? I have to wonder if the general public would be a bit more understanding and accepting of the need for a new election.

[Sava]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
I voted Independent for governor.

Did Kinky win?

[SlowwHand]

No, Governor Goodhair is now longest reigning monarch in Texas history, having taken over for Bush in mid-term.