Should We Really Encourage Everyone To Vote?

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Before we begin, I need to make one thing absolutely clear: I am not in favor of setting up any obstacles between the people and the voting booth. I believe in early voting and absentee voting, and am firmly against the recent spate of closures of voting locations in manys states.

Having said that, I'm skeptical of most get out the vote efforts. Every election, we're hit with public service ads on television and online encouraging all of us to do our civic duty and vote. I personally don't see the point. Yes, in America and elsewhere, it's a constitutional right. Yes, people fought, bled, and died for that right. However--and this is a big however--I really don't think that those who are politically apathetic should vote. If someone can't be bothered to keep up with world events, or thinks that all politicians are the same, or has no understanding of economics whatsoever, then I don't want that person within a mile of a voting booth. We have enough of an issue with the uninformed, the simplistic, the narrow-minded, and the outright bigoted swaying votes in the United States. Why would we add to that by encouraging a bunch of people who don't actually believe in the process to take part in it? To put it crudely, why would we encourage these dipshits to vote?

Another disclaimer: I am not saying that everybody who thinks that the parties have much in common is a dipshit. However, I've known plenty of dipshits who think this for the most superficial and shallow of reasons.

Thoughts?

[USS Monitor]

I don't necessarily think everyone should vote, but we should make a distinction between people that are uninformed and people that are just jaded. There are people that know who the candidates are enough to formulate an opinion, but just feel like their vote doesn't matter. Those people should be prodded to vote so they can have their opinion counted. People that don't even know what's going on may as well stay home.

[The Romulan Republic]

Before we begin, I need to make one thing absolutely clear: I am not in favor of setting up any obstacles between the people and the voting booth. I believe in early voting and absentee voting, and am firmly against the recent spate of closures of voting locations in manys states.

Having said that, I'm skeptical of most get out the vote efforts. Every election, we're hit with public service ads on television and online encouraging all of us to do our civic duty and vote. I personally don't see the point. Yes, in America and elsewhere, it's a constitutional right. Yes, people fought, bled, and died for that right. However--and this is a big however--I really don't think that those who are politically apathetic should vote. If someone can't be bothered to keep up with world events, or thinks that all politicians are the same, or has no understanding of economics whatsoever, then I don't want that person within a mile of a voting booth. We have enough of an issue with the uninformed, the simplistic, the narrow-minded, and the outright bigoted swaying votes in the United States. Why would we add to that by encouraging a bunch of people who don't actually believe in the process to take part in it? To put it crudely, why would we encourage these dipshits to vote?

Another disclaimer: I am not saying that everybody who thinks that the parties have much in common is a dipshit. However, I've known plenty of dipshits who think this for the most superficial and shallow of reasons.

Thoughts?

Counterpoint:

If only the most motivated vote, that's potentially another way of saying that the ballot box will be dominated by the extremist fringe.

Why do you think midterms, with lower turnout than Presidential races, tend to favour the Tea Party types these days?

[Minzerland II]

Yes, we in fact should. It is a horrible flaw in our system that the I'll-informed are able to sway elections but to exclude some from the process causes problems; (1). They'll feel disenfranchised by the Government (even if you don't deprive them of their right to vote, they still will feel disenfranchised); and (2). It won't be representative of the population.

I think these are key reasons for voluntary voting as it allows people who wish not to vote, not vote and those who are informed, to vote. As opposed to compulsory voting, which makes everyone vote, giving the I'll-informed maximised ability to sway the vote.

[Jetan]

I don't necessarily think everyone should vote, but we should make a distinction between people that are uninformed and people that are just jaded. There are people that know who the candidates are enough to formulate an opinion, but just feel like their vote doesn't matter. Those people should be prodded to vote so they can have their opinion counted. People that don't even know what's going on may as well stay home.

This sums up my view on the subject pretty well.

[The first Galactic Republic]

I don't necessarily think everyone should vote, but we should make a distinction between people that are uninformed and people that are just jaded. There are people that know who the candidates are enough to formulate an opinion, but just feel like their vote doesn't matter. Those people should be prodded to vote so they can have their opinion counted. People that don't even know what's going on may as well stay home.

This sums up my view on the subject pretty well.

Yeah there's no reason to not encourage people to vote. We should also encourage being educated and informed about what you are voting for.

If you think that isn't enough, than maybe you have a problem with the basic idea of voting?

[Internationalist Bastard]

Nah. I follow politics heavily, but I've never voted because I'm just insignificant. Even if I stood a chance at making a difference with my vote, my party has literally no politicial candidates.

[The Liberated Territories]

It is an exercise made more useless by having uninformed people voting, so no, I do not believe we should encourage people to vote.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Before we begin, I need to make one thing absolutely clear: I am not in favor of setting up any obstacles between the people and the voting booth. I believe in early voting and absentee voting, and am firmly against the recent spate of closures of voting locations in manys states.

Having said that, I'm skeptical of most get out the vote efforts. Every election, we're hit with public service ads on television and online encouraging all of us to do our civic duty and vote. I personally don't see the point. Yes, in America and elsewhere, it's a constitutional right. Yes, people fought, bled, and died for that right. However--and this is a big however--I really don't think that those who are politically apathetic should vote. If someone can't be bothered to keep up with world events, or thinks that all politicians are the same, or has no understanding of economics whatsoever, then I don't want that person within a mile of a voting booth. We have enough of an issue with the uninformed, the simplistic, the narrow-minded, and the outright bigoted swaying votes in the United States. Why would we add to that by encouraging a bunch of people who don't actually believe in the process to take part in it? To put it crudely, why would we encourage these dipshits to vote?

Another disclaimer: I am not saying that everybody who thinks that the parties have much in common is a dipshit. However, I've known plenty of dipshits who think this for the most superficial and shallow of reasons.

Thoughts?

Counterpoint:

If only the most motivated vote, that's potentially another way of saying that the ballot box will be dominated by the extremist fringe.

Why do you think midterms, with lower turnout than Presidential races, tend to favour the Tea Party types these days?

I don't think that it has to be the most motivated. I do think that we don't need to push people who really don't give a damn, or refuse to keep up with the world, or see the parties and candidates into essentially being the same, into voting. I don't want people to walk into the booth despite their cynicism. I want people to vote who aren't that cynical to begin with, who honestly believe that their vote, while it may not make much difference on its own, is one voice in a chorus trying to influence public policy. Even the moderately motivated, the people who care enough to actually check out the candidates and the debates, but aren't necessarily involved throughout the year are good, and you're right: They need to vote more in the midterms.

But the guy at the bar who says that they're equally corrupt, doesn't see the point in voting third party, and hasn't actually kept up on any of the issues outside of a headline or two? I'm totally good with it if he decides to stay home on election day. I'd like to increase turnout in certain demographics because they tend to vote for my party, sure, and I try to do that by making sure that voters are motivated if they seem to be informed and interested. As far as general "Whoever you're going to vote for, vote!" drives go, though, I think that they're ridiculous.

[Valonde]

Yes, I think we should.

I think the problem lies more with the fact far too many people don't understand what voting actually is. What I mean is, so many people say 'my vote won't count'. To these people one little vote is not a game changer. But in reality one vote can actually change the course of history. What we need to do is educate.

Of course, if someone is going to vote whoever just to get it over with, then that person should not be voting.

[Great Nepal]

I entirely agree; we should publicise elections and registration dates (and registering/ voting should be as easy as possible) but beyond that it should be left upto the individual - if someone can't be bothered to take two minutes to register and a minute to vote, its probably good that they failed to do so.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Yes, we in fact should. It is a horrible flaw in our system that the I'll-informed are able to sway elections but to exclude some from the process causes problems; (1). They'll feel disenfranchised by the Government (even if you don't deprive them of their right to vote, they still will feel disenfranchised); and (2). It won't be representative of the population.

I think these are key reasons for voluntary voting as it allows people who wish not to vote, not vote and those who are informed, to vote. As opposed to compulsory voting, which makes everyone vote, giving the I'll-informed maximised ability to sway the vote.

I stated upfront that I didn't believe in excluding anyone from the process. I'm just not inclined to encourage the unmotivated who don't wish to inform themselves on the issues, regardless of party, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnicity.

[The Romulan Republic]

Nah. I follow politics heavily, but I've never voted because I'm just insignificant. Even if I stood a chance at making a difference with my vote, my party has literally no politicial candidates.

The idea that a vote is worthless because one vote will not decide the election is a fallacy.

Voting is, by its nature, a collective enterprise, combining the contributions of a great many people. One person is unlikely to tip the balance. However, if enough of those people did not participate, or if enough of those who do not instead did, it would have a great impact.

Just as one person cannot build a bridge, one voter generally does not decide an election. But that does not make the contribution of each worker/voter unimportant to the whole.

Only profound arrogance says that an enterprise is worthless if it is not accomplished, or the outcome is not controlled, by you and you alone.

[Internationalist Bastard]

Yes, I think we should.

I think the problem lies more with the fact far too many people don't understand what voting actually is. What I mean is, so many people say 'my vote won't count'. To these people one little vote is not a game changer. But in reality one vote can actually change the course of history. What we need to do is educate.

Of course, if someone is going to vote whoever just to get it over with, then that person should not be voting.

That's assuming a.) we like any of the choices. and b.) our system in the US wasn't absurd when it comes to elections

[Minzerland II]

Yes, we in fact should. It is a horrible flaw in our system that the I'll-informed are able to sway elections but to exclude some from the process causes problems; (1). They'll feel disenfranchised by the Government (even if you don't deprive them of their right to vote, they still will feel disenfranchised); and (2). It won't be representative of the population.

I think these are key reasons for voluntary voting as it allows people who wish not to vote, not vote and those who are informed, to vote. As opposed to compulsory voting, which makes everyone vote, giving the I'll-informed maximised ability to sway the vote.

I stated upfront that I didn't believe in excluding anyone from the process. I'm just not inclined to encourage the unmotivated who don't wish to inform themselves on the issues, regardless of party, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnicity.

I understand that, exclusion doesn't mean deprivation, they'll still feel disenfranchised and excluded nonetheless; that causes problems.

[Great Nepal]

Yes, I think we should.

I think the problem lies more with the fact far too many people don't understand what voting actually is. What I mean is, so many people say 'my vote won't count'. To these people one little vote is not a game changer. But in reality one vote can actually change the course of history. What we need to do is educate.

Of course, if someone is going to vote whoever just to get it over with, then that person should not be voting.

Firstly your individual vote doesn't actually matter, no election that I can think of has come down to one vote; secondly if someone doesn't know what voting is, again probably better for everyone if they don't vote.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

I don't necessarily think everyone should vote, but we should make a distinction between people that are uninformed and people that are just jaded. There are people that know who the candidates are enough to formulate an opinion, but just feel like their vote doesn't matter. Those people should be prodded to vote so they can have their opinion counted. People that don't even know what's going on may as well stay home.

I think that if you're fully informed, and still jaded, then you're not actually fully informed.

[Internationalist Bastard]

Nah. I follow politics heavily, but I've never voted because I'm just insignificant. Even if I stood a chance at making a difference with my vote, my party has literally no politicial candidates.

The idea that a vote is worthless because one vote will not decide the election is a fallacy.

Voting is, by its nature, a collective enterprise, combining the contributions of a great many people. One person is unlikely to tip the balance. However, if enough of those people did not participate, or if enough of those who do not instead did, it would have a great impact.

Just as one person cannot build a bridge, one voter generally does not decide an election. But that does not make the contribution of each worker/voter unimportant to the whole.

Only profound arrogance says that an enterprise is worthless if it is not accomplished, or the outcome is not controlled, by you and you alone.

My opinion is heard the same regardless if I vote or not. As the system is, I'd have to pick a the candidate I agree the most with, which are none of them. That's why I don't vote, because my opinion isn't taken into account even if everyone the country voted the same as me, since I never share an opinion with any of my choices

[Great Nepal]

Yes, I think we should.

I think the problem lies more with the fact far too many people don't understand what voting actually is. What I mean is, so many people say 'my vote won't count'. To these people one little vote is not a game changer. But in reality one vote can actually change the course of history. What we need to do is educate.

Of course, if someone is going to vote whoever just to get it over with, then that person should not be voting.

That's assuming a.) we like any of the choices. and b.) our system in the US wasn't absurd when it comes to elections

Then vote for whoever you dislike the least, or vote for third party, or spoil the ballot - all of these will be counted and sends an specific message; you are willing to live with one, you want someone else to win, you object to the entire system.

[Pandeeria]

In th US I don't see the point in voting. All it is is two shitty, lying, corporate representatives. One is from the Republican Party and the other is from the Democraic Party.

I only get two choices, my vote is statistically insignificant, and nothing will change. I do not see the point of voting.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Nah. I follow politics heavily, but I've never voted because I'm just insignificant. Even if I stood a chance at making a difference with my vote, my party has literally no politicial candidates.

If you don't get the importance of voting against someone when you have no one to vote for, then while you may be well-informed on specific issues, then I see you as somewhat poorly informed on a broader level (That's not meant as a jab or insult, though I can see how it could be taken that way), or you simply aren't a fan of the democratic process to begin with.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Yes, I think we should.

I think the problem lies more with the fact far too many people don't understand what voting actually is. What I mean is, so many people say 'my vote won't count'. To these people one little vote is not a game changer. But in reality one vote can actually change the course of history. What we need to do is educate.

Of course, if someone is going to vote whoever just to get it over with, then that person should not be voting.

If someone's reasoning is that their vote won't count, then I find their view on democracy suspect, and I'm just as happy to not see them in the voting booth.

[Valonde]

Yes, I think we should.

I think the problem lies more with the fact far too many people don't understand what voting actually is. What I mean is, so many people say 'my vote won't count'. To these people one little vote is not a game changer. But in reality one vote can actually change the course of history. What we need to do is educate.

Of course, if someone is going to vote whoever just to get it over with, then that person should not be voting.

That's assuming a.) we like any of the choices. and b.) our system in the US wasn't absurd when it comes to elections

If you don't like any of the choices isn't it better to vote for the one that, to you, would do the least damage?

I have no rebuttal for the absurdity of the elections.

[Internationalist Bastard]

That's assuming a.) we like any of the choices. and b.) our system in the US wasn't absurd when it comes to elections

Then vote for whoever you dislike the least, or vote for third party, or spoil the ballot - all of these will be counted and sends an specific message; you are willing to live with one, you want someone else to win, you object to the entire system.

But I don't want any of them, that's what I'm saying. I don't hate democracy, I hate the idea being expected to be an obedient little bitch voting for who I hate the least

[Valonde]

Yes, I think we should.

I think the problem lies more with the fact far too many people don't understand what voting actually is. What I mean is, so many people say 'my vote won't count'. To these people one little vote is not a game changer. But in reality one vote can actually change the course of history. What we need to do is educate.

Of course, if someone is going to vote whoever just to get it over with, then that person should not be voting.

Firstly your individual vote doesn't actually matter, no election that I can think of has come down to one vote; secondly if someone doesn't know what voting is, again probably better for everyone if they don't vote.

You say an individual vote doesn't matter, yet it is the individual vote that when piled with the others that can move the proverbial mountain.