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guy44 · 10-02-2004, 05:32 PM

Edited for grammar.

It depends how you define, "count." If you mean, will my vote make a difference in who gets elected president in 2004, the answer is, no. Really, in a plurality system (winner takes all) the value of a single vote is entirely contained within its chances of being the one vote that breaks a tie. The safer a state is, the less likely a vote cast within that state will break a tie, and as a result, it loses value. Mathematically speaking, in a safe state like VA, your vote really will "count" for very little.

However, there are other value systems by which you can measure the importance of a vote. If you see it as your civic duty, then voting even in a safe state is valuable indeed. If you believe in the value of looking at the popular vote (the number of people for Bush nationwide vs. the number of people for Kerry nationwide), then your vote has more value, as the race will be a close one nationally.

Also, as someone pointed out, you could vote for a third-party candidate and have your vote take on a completely different meaning. So it boils down to how you look at it.

10-02-2004, 05:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
guy44 Somnabulist Location: corner of No and Where	Edited for grammar. It depends how you define, "count." If you mean, will my vote make a difference in who gets elected president in 2004, the answer is, no. Really, in a plurality system (winner takes all) the value of a single vote is entirely contained within its chances of being the one vote that breaks a tie. The safer a state is, the less likely a vote cast within that state will break a tie, and as a result, it loses value. Mathematically speaking, in a safe state like VA, your vote really will "count" for very little. However, there are other value systems by which you can measure the importance of a vote. If you see it as your civic duty, then voting even in a safe state is valuable indeed. If you believe in the value of looking at the popular vote (the number of people for Bush nationwide vs. the number of people for Kerry nationwide), then your vote has more value, as the race will be a close one nationally. Also, as someone pointed out, you could vote for a third-party candidate and have your vote take on a completely different meaning. So it boils down to how you look at it. __________________ "You have reached Ritual Sacrifice. For goats press one, or say 'goats.'"