In New York City, a city of over 8 million people, all of 2.5 million vote in presidential elections.
In 2013, a little over 1 million showed up. The rest didn't bother. We ended up with DeBlasio.
In 2014, less than 1 million showed up. Cuomo got re-elected and NYC got blamed by the upstate Republicans for the re-election. Even though most of them didn't bother voting, it was the fault of NYC where, incidentally, even less people showed up to vote.
Many excuses have been used. The candidate is not perfect, doesn't represent a voter's specific issue, said something stupid, didn't say something, etc. And then there are the "my vote doesn't count". When less than 50% of regular voters show up; your vote counts. When less than 50% bother to vote at all, or even register to vote; your vote counts.
The general election is coming up and all I see is petty bickering. Name calling between candidates, name calling between voters, and that's within the same party. Vote for whomever you want in the primaries. In November, whether your candidate lost or didn't exist, and even if you have to vote for a RINO; vote. You may be showing your displeasure by not voting, but guess what, nobody cares and nobody will notice. It's great to have principles, and you may post all about them on social networks and praise and curse the GOP and the available candidates. However, if we don't stand united when it counts, it won't be the Democrats' fault that we lost.
If you don't vote and/or not planning on voting, what right do you have to complain?
1) They should have "None of the above on the ballot". If that wins then they have to get rid of all the candidates and run another election with entirely new ones.
ReplyDelete2) Or they should pass a law that says that anyone who doesn't vote is presumed to be okay with the incumbent. If a majority doesn't vote the incumbents stay in power, even if they weren't planning on it!
You can't have vote going to incumbent after 2nd term.
ReplyDeleteIn Mexico, if you don't vote, your vote goes to the candidate of the incumbent's party.
In Australia, there's a fine for not voting.
In US, a fine was ruled unconstitutional; against 1A.