How do you choose whom to vote for?

by **Risottia** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:26 am

Generally many different considerations crowd the mind of voters: ethics, morals, personal condition, likings, personal political ideas, personal convenience, etc.
I personally would like to imagine that I vote for what I think honestly it's best for the whole country (/city/EU/region etc), but I'm afraid that personal condition and likings play a major role in my choice.
So, what about you? How do you choose? And what do you think people should think about when voting?

by **Tubbsalot** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:30 am

It's just how they appeal to me, personally. This includes their ethical and political outlook, and it helps to (appear) honest. If they're intelligent and present sensible, logical policies, I'll consider them regardless of their alignment.

I tend to think everyone will vote for "what's best for the country." That's the whole point of this... all these factors go into our choice of who will be best for the country.

by **Czardas** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:30 am

Generally, I decide which candidate to vote for by assigning each one a numerical value and then rolling dice. However, occasionally I may depart from this time-tested method and instead vote for the most physically attractive of the candidates.

by **West Failure** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:31 am

I pick the arsehole who offends me least and seems likely to do the least damage to the country.

by **Old Tyrannia** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:31 am

A mixture of No. 3 and No. 8.

by **South Lorenya** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:36 am

There are three things I ask:
(1) Do they have a chance of winning?
(2) Do they match my political beliefs?
(3) Do they have a morally repugnant position?

If the answer to either is no, then I doubt I'll vote for them. In the first case, political affinity quizzes tend to put the socialist candidate in first place... with a main democratic candidate slightly behind (80% vs 76%, or something). In the second case, I vote democratic because I feel they do better things for the country than the republicans. And as for the third, anyone who accepts the right-to-life party's endorsement is instantly disqualified; it only happens on minor, local things, but if it's "Select nine district judges" and three of the ten are endorsed by the right to life party, then I'll be voting for only seven and therefore undervoting.

by **Kamsaki** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:38 am

In the UK, given that Government is undertaken by the party with a majority of MPs, I vote along party lines on the basis of who I want to see (or, increasingly, not to see) in Government. Who I want to see in Government is usually decided by general political philosophy rather than pragmatic concerns - I will tend to vote for whichever party outlines the most socially progressive approach.

by **Dumb Ideologies** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:39 am

No candidates stand who represent my views, so I get to choose the 'lesser evil', knowing my one vote is statistically irrelevant and that it has almost an infinitely low chance of deciding who wins the seat. So I have almost no chance of influencing the result of a battle between candidates none of whom I particularly like.

I vote rarely.

by **North Avayu** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:40 am

It's a mixture of your options. Foremost the candidate I support has to be close to my own political ideas. Of course this also implies that I think those ideas are good for the country. But it's also about trust. there are people close to my own position, but I wouldn't vote for them, because I don't trust them or don't think they are are competent enough to realise their promises.

by **Uawc** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:40 am

I don't vote, because a vote for anyone is a vote for the system. If the government thought that a politcal party voted into office could make any real change, then they wouldn't let them run for office.

by **Natapoc** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:47 am

UAWC wrote:I don't vote, because a vote for anyone is a vote for the system. If the government thought that a politcal party voted into office could make any real change, then they wouldn't let them run for office.

I'm not voting in this poll in solidarity with UAWC (and because just picking one of those options accurately mirrors the illusion of choice in most democracies)

I think all the things you mentioned play a big role. The only one I find a problem with is "shares my moral/religious views" Well, moral/ethical views yes. But religious? One should not vote based on religion.

by **Kamsaki** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:51 am

Natapoc wrote:But religious? One should not vote based on religion.

Unless, of course, a considerable number of other people in your nation are doing so; in which case, it makes sense to vote in such a way as to deny a Theocratic mandate.

by **Cabra West** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:53 am

Usually, I try and figure out which one will do the least amount of harm. Also, which one is the least psychotic of them.

Then it's mostly political and ethical ideas and values.

by **ChengISao** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:18 am

The least repulsive individual. :eyebrow:

by **Blouman Empire** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:36 am

I look at the issues that concern me and prioritise them those parties that align closest with my beliefs the most on those issues which are more important for me I will vote for. It is possible that one party might share many similar ideals as I want, but if they aren't similar on the the main issues I care about then I won't support them especially if they are completely against what I believe.

by **Kobrania** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:40 am

I vote for people who will enact policies to help those less fortunate than me aka welfare.

by **Kirrix** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:47 am

Step I: carefully consider each of the candidates positions, weighing their pros and cons.
Step II: vote for the black guy

by **Ifreann** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:50 am

Log onto NSG
Establish target of Conservative RAAAAAAAGE Machine™
Vote for same
????????
PROFIT!!!

by **The Movie of the Book** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:52 am

I look at the record of each candidate and how they've voted in the past. I look to see why they've held the positions that they've held, and if they were willing to change their position in the face of fresh evidence. I then balance these against each other to try and decide who will make the better decisions once in power.

by **Goath** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:16 am

No one is ever going to match my person politics 100%, so I pick out the most progressive viable candidate on the ballot and vote for that one.

Now, as an American, that's probably going to be a Democrat, but if I was in Canada I'd most certainly vote NDP and if I was in the UK I'd probably vote for a Lib Dem.

I'm simply unable to vote for a candidate who is opposed to gay rights, support for the elderly, the poor, public education, and I have a very hard time with anyone who would attempt to end a woman's right to choose to have an abortion. I *have* voted for Republicans for offices like Sheriff or city council- offices that have very little to do with politics and have a lot to do with common sense, but, at the legislative & executive level, liberals are my only option.

by **Lunatic Goofballs** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:23 am

I challenge the candidates to a taco cookoff. Whoever makes the best taco gets my vote. *nod*

by **Doitzel** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:40 am

I look for Ralph Nader's name.

I look outside to check that I'm still in Florida.

I smile to myself.

I write in Pat Buchanan.

by **Andaluciae** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:45 am

Whoever's wife looks less creepy, hence my 2008 vote.

McCain
Obama

The choice was either Skullzor or Michelle. What choice would you make?

by **Kantria** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:47 am

Andaluciae wrote:Whoever's wife looks less creepy, hence my 2008 vote.

McCain
Obama

The choice was either Skullzor or Michelle. What choice would you make?

Dennis Kucinich.

by **Doitzel** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:48 am

Andaluciae wrote:Whoever's wife looks less creepy, hence my 2008 vote.

McCain
Obama

The choice was either Skullzor or Michelle. What choice would you make?

The unmarried candidate?

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