How do you choose whom to vote for?

[Buxtahatche]

I attempt to vote for a candidate that has a religious/moral outlook similar to my own.
If he meets this qualification, then the rest of the issues- political bent, policy decisions, etc- will generally fall in line. Sharing values makes our outlook on things similar, and will make our reactions to a situation similar.

[Libertarian Governance]

Usually I vote straight Libertarian because they sort of match my political views. There are two times I didn't. Once in 1994 when I voted straight Republican to get rid of the gun grabbing Democrats. And once when I voted for Obama to get rid of Baby Bush and his war monger cronies. Both votes have proven to be utter disasters bringing in a crew of clowns worst then their predecessors.

[KiloMikeAlpha]

I vote for the candidates that either by 1: verifyable voting records or 2: stated issues have convinced me that they are True Conservatives.

If they have no voting records, because they have not been in public office, I look to thier stated "beliefs", "Principles" and "Values".

[Blessed Bhutan]

It's getting harder as I get older. Usually, I go by party affiliation, but that is usually when I don't like either candidates. I try researching them on the issues, but they all say the same things. That's one thing I hate about democracy: politicians use duplicitous rhetoric.

[Muravyets]

I pick according to policies that I think will be best for the nation/state/city. Although I personally am a progressive-liberal (US style), I am attached to no party and will happily vote for any party's candidate whose platform best addresses the current and longer term needs of the people in general, not just myself. That means that sometimes I'll vote pro-business, and other times against business. Sometimes I vote for bigger government and social programs and more public spending, and sometimes for shrinking government, cutting programs, and fiscal conservatism.

Of course, in addition to having the platform, the candidate must also have a career history and reputation that will make me believe he/she will actually follow through on the platform they ran on. And there are certain social issues/ideology lines I won't cross -- like I will not vote for an avowed racist, for instance, no matter what his platform or history.

So, anyway, policies that will be good for the public plus a candidate who has a good chance of being able to deliver -- that's how I pick who to vote for. I'm pretty much a pragmatic voter. I am willing sometimes, in a limited way, to tolerate elected officials who don't share my political/social beliefs, if I don't think they'll do too much harm in some areas while doing what I want them to do in others, because I know I will get a chance to replace them soon enough. I will only put ideological concerns foremost in my voting if I feel the situation is extreme and some extremists or corrupt groups are trying to make a power grab.

[Barzan]

I try to be pragmatic. While I may like some of the NDP's views on certain issues, I think that the Liberals are more realistic and likely to get their own policies through. Also, I live in a riding where the main contenders are the Liberals and the Torys. I try to weigh where I live "to be pragmatic and not "waste my vote" as well as policies of the parties. Also, though, I like my MP and think she's done good things for our neighbourhood.

[Grave_n_idle]

I pick whoever I believe will do the most good (or at least, the least harm) to the nation as a whole. That could mean voting against my own personal moral choices, my own personal politics, or outside of my religion.

I just consider all of that kind of stuff to be personal, and not the sort of stuff you should be using as your marker for electing the leader of an entire nation.


Looking at the poll, so far... I'm a little distressed by how comfortable so many people seem to feel with enforcing their ideologies on others.

[Brogavia]

Whomever Satan tells me to.

[Maurepas]

I look for people that share in my political ideals...Id vote someone who's platform was to help Truckdrivers, College Students, and South Mississippi...But, Im not sure anyone else would,

[Maurepas]

Whomever Satan tells me to.

I generally tell them to vote Democrat,

[JuNii]

I research each candidate, their views, their plans (if any) and ideals. and I vote for the one that instills in me, the most confidence. if Neither instills any confidence in me, I vote for Gumby and Pooky.

[The Parthians]

Normally, by determining whose policies would benefit me the most.

Hence why I voted for Ron Paul last time around.

[Whippity-Tippity]

I flip a Mullat

[Allbeama]

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

You haven't voted in a while, have you?

I would say that I vote for who matches my political views, but it turns out I am more leftist than Obama.

[Omnicracy]

I, have ing turned 18 one or two weeks after the last election, Have not yet had the oportunity to vote. If I could vote, however, itwould be one of two ways. Along pure philisophical lines: federal = Libertarian, state = Socialist. Along practicle lines (wich I doubt I would vote along): federal = Republican, state = Democrat.

[The Tofu Islands]

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

Do you vote monster raving loony? I doubt they’d do too much damage.

I would say that I vote for who matches my political views, but it turns out I am more leftist than Obama.

Aren’t we all?

[Nation of Quebec]

Considering that honest politicians are an endangered species, I typically vote for whoever best represents my beliefs and interests. If none of them do then I'll either spoil my ballot or pick whoever I hate the least.

[Tunizcha]

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

Do you vote monster raving loony? I doubt they’d do too much damage.

I wanted to vote for them, unfortunately, I'm underage and halfway across the world.

I would say that I vote for who matches my political views, but it turns out I am more leftist than Obama.

Aren’t we all?

Quite.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

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?

In my family, voting has to do with the political traditions and inclinations of the family. We're PSOE, so, we always vote for the PSOE candidate. It's ridiculous, I know. It's not about policies or if our candidate is all for improving the country. If he/she's PSOE, she gets the vote. In other words, hereditary laws stipulate, in my family (including me) how we vote.

[Barzan]

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

You haven't voted in a while, have you?

I would say that I vote for who matches my political views, but it turns out I am more leftist than Obama.

It seems most of the world is, too.

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?

In my family, voting has to do with the political traditions and inclinations of the family. We're PSOE, so, we always vote for the PSOE candidate. It's ridiculous, I know. It's not about policies or if our candidate is all for improving the country. If he/she's PSOE, she gets the vote. In other words, hereditary laws stipulate, in my family (including me) how we vote.

Is PSOE the party in government now or is it the Basque party or another one?

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Is PSOE the party in government now or is it the Basque party or another one?

PSOE is the party in power now, yes.

[Barzan]

Is PSOE the party in government now or is it the Basque party or another one?

PSOE is the party in power now, yes.

Oh, I'd vote for them too!

I do wish they'd fix the two-tiered labour system so people our age could get full-time permanent employment instead of being on contract without benefits forever, but on the whole I think that party's doing a hell of a lot better than the last one that was in charge.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Is PSOE the party in government now or is it the Basque party or another one?

PSOE is the party in power now, yes.

Oh, I'd vote for them too!

I do wish they'd fix the two-tiered labour system so people our age could get full-time permanent employment instead of being on contract without benefits forever, but on the whole I think that party's doing a hell of a lot better than the last one that was in charge.

A lot of people in Spain would agree with you. The PSOE has been doing a good job, so far. Considering the economical state Spain is experimenting lately... I only wish that PSOE wins on the next elections. God knows what would happen if the PP rises to power and we end up with Mariano Rajoy as PM.

[Barzan]

Is PSOE the party in government now or is it the Basque party or another one?

PSOE is the party in power now, yes.

Oh, I'd vote for them too!

I do wish they'd fix the two-tiered labour system so people our age could get full-time permanent employment instead of being on contract without benefits forever, but on the whole I think that party's doing a hell of a lot better than the last one that was in charge.

A lot of people in Spain would agree with you. The PSOE has been doing a good job, so far. Considering the economical state Spain is experimenting lately... I only wish that PSOE wins on the next elections. God knows what would happen if the PP rises to power and we end up with Mariano Rajoy as PM.

That would not be good. Doesn't the People's Party have members in it that are sympathisers with the Franco era?

[The Blaatschapen]

Well, here in the Netherlands you get a huge piece of paper sent to your home with all the names on it. Usually I hang it on the wall, blindfold myself and throw a dart to it. The person the dart lands on is the person I vote for.