When there is no issue that concerns me for which I could vote and no candidate seeking election for whom my vote might even slightly matter (such have happened), then I show up and vote, even if my vote is merely "present and not accounted for."

Seems to me that, in a representative democcratic republic (which I take as the nature of our supposed government), to not vote is one way of voting.

Therefore, whether by action or inaction, I will vote in one way or another.

Talking with a lot of non-voting friends of mine, they express a sense of despair at the whole process. They don't agree with ANY of the options presented. Low voter turn out has become a problem here in Canada as well as the USA.

I think not voting is a form of speaking out. It is a voter's way of saying, "I won't participate in something I don't agree with."

The real problem is that politicians don't look at who didn't vote or why, they only look at who DID vote for them. The reality is that there will almost always be more people in a democracy who did not vote for the winner, than who did vote for them. If democracy were to really work, the winner of an election should be looking at the reasons those who didn't vote chose not to. There is a message there they shouldn't ignore.

Perhaps if there were a space on all the ballots for comments, more people would show up. Maybe we need a none-of-the-above option.

Voting is a choice. Not voting is also a choice. I think you say something equally important when you choose not to vote. I don't think it invalidates your right to have an opinion on the issues, or a voice in what goes on in the world.

Saying, "Your opinion doesn't matter, when you choose not to vote," is unbelievable arrogance. Not voting is simply making a democratic choice to send a message of a different kind. Maybe we should be exploring that message instead of ignoring it.

Being also from Oregon and a registered Democrat, I agree there isn't much to vote for in the primary,but to vote in Oregon,all one need do is slap a stamp on an envelope and stick it in the mail. Since I consider voting both a privilege and a responsibility, I think I can manage that.

i didnt want to spend the 50 cents to confirm the winners as they are all unopposed and winning is a forgone conclusion

Slammr (imported) wrote: Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:01 pm Being also from Oregon and a registered Democrat, I agree there isn't much to vote for in the primary,but to vote in Oregon,all one need do is slap a stamp on an envelope and stick it in the mail. Since I consider voting both a privilege and a responsibility, I think I can manage that.

Cainanite (imported) wrote: Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:02 pm I think not voting is a form of speaking out. It is a voter's way of saying, "I won't participate in something I don't agree with."...Voting is a choice. Not voting is also a choice. I think you say something equally important when you choose not to vote. I don't think it invalidates your right to have an opinion on the issues, or a voice in what goes on in the world. ...

I recently read an article in activist rag saying about the same thing, "The system is fucked up, so don't participate in it."

That's exactly what the politicians and people in power want. Voting is the only way we have left to influence the way we're governed short of taking to the streets as they did in the Middle East. For now, I'm doing a little of both. I'm very concerned about the undue influence on our government Citizen's United is giving the rich and powerful, but I'm not ready to give up on democracy yet.

Then "vote" outside or "their box"!

Who dares?

Vote a third party. Write in.

Who dares?

Gotta vote for the winner to boost my ego

Or believe there is a choice between Dum and Dee.

Moi

Minimally:

Vote outside their box.

my son voted for ron paul on his ballot

i dropped it into a drop box today

Your son is very wise. You raised him well.

Moi

only person in the house with a republican ballot is my son

my ballot is a democrat

my son has moved in with me since my wife died

they sent a democrat ballot for my dead wife as well which i tossed in the trash with mine

So he is a democrat you say?

River