Are you registered? Will you vote?
 

If you're not registered, do it now. And then vote for the candidate of your choice. The percent of the population that votes in Presidential elections has steadily dropped to embarssing levels. Arguably the most powerful position in the world is at stake. Makes no difference if you are a Republican, a Democrat, or something else, its your responsibility as an American citizen to cast your vote. Thousands have died to protect this right. Millions more in other countries will never have that opportunity. And yet we as a nation have become terribly complacent. I'm not advocating any political affiliation, just encouraging everyone to exercise their right to vote.

Do it.

If you vote, make sure you know what you're voting for. That is also your responsibility.

I am registered, and I vote.

It's hard for me to get excited about most of the candidates in local, state, and national elections. However, I am registered and I vote. As a citizen of the United States, it's a privilege and an obligation.

I expect that by the time March 2 rolls around, the democratic candidate will already be chosen, so I probably won't bother. Aside from that, I always vote.

Yeah... I'll vote. I don't want to. But I do anyway.

I vote. Did everybody see how close the presidential election was last time? Your vote ABSOLUTELY COUNTS! I've got more to say about elections being rigged, but that's something to talk about in another thread.

I am and I will. It's a right people die to protect

I'm registered, but I'm not voting. None of the candidates are worthy for a vote, so I'm not going to waste my time.

I'll vote... not that my vote will do much good in Good ol Republican Utah.

I feel it is our duty to vote, even if the candidates suck, atleast I spoke my opinion and know I tried to get some halfway decent.

been voting ever since I was 18.

Amen. And, frankly, if you don't know, I do feel it's your responsibility not to cast a vote based on ignorance. It's OK to not be up on the issues (although I do think it's everyone's responsibility to care and educate themselves on their politics), but recognize that by not educating yourself on the issues it's your responsibility to let people who have vote and to not complain as well. I'm sick of people voting on one issue, on party lines, or because a candidate "seems nice." Educate yourself or stop letting your ignorance effect how the country I too live in is run.

Personally, I'd say to this, go ahead and don't vote. I'm assuming that since you don't want to vote you don't take the time to educate yourself on the different candidates and such, so just don't vote. Nothing personal, but it's a waste of your time and vote to do so without knowing exactly what you're voting for and/or caring about it.

Good for you. Be sure to look at third party candidates and write-ins as well. Sometimes there are gems within the rough. Nonetheless, let me personally extend a thank you for not voting. You're voting (or not voting) based on what you believe and not a "lesser of 2 evils" attitude or anything similar. This is something that far too many people no longer do, and you are acting in the truest way to the concept of each individual vote counting.

I'm a strong advocate for people voting and more people being involved in politics, but I'll be damned if I ever suggest to someone that they should vote for someone they don't actually WANT to be their president or representative just because they want the "other guy" even less, or to vote because it's their "duty" even though they have no clue about what's going on other than who's popular and talks nicely.

As for myself, I'm registered and still looking for a candidate I feel deserves my vote. Not saying none of the current potentials may be that candidate, I'm just not sure yet.

I am a resident of Washington State, living in Asia. I am registered as a permanent absentee, meaning I don't have to request ballots, they are automatically sent to me for every election I am elegible for. I have voted four times in the last year, and chide those ex-pats that don't or won't. I think the last presidential election showed that absentee votes can make a difference.

yep. will have to re-register in the new township soon - we're movin in a month or so.

I'm a contributor to my party and causes as well.

Ironically I just registered today for the very first time. Only 19 so it's not that bad a record.

It was the first thing I did when I turned 18.

My first ballot was cast in Novermber 2000 in the State of Florida.

This year, I will vote and predict that Pandas will ride on Killer Whales, invading Washington D.C., rolling around, crushing things, and eating lucky banboo.

I am registered, I am pretty sure I will vote, pretty sure on who I'm going to vote for- but there is still more time to observe........

I'll vote. This will be my first presidential election. Like the bumper sticker on my car says:

Anyone but Bush

2004

^^^woohoo!

He he he...I like that. I'm gonna try to not vote with that mentality, but I simply don't like George Dubya.

Bravo!! :thumbsup:This is something that I think people in America has taken for granted, those damn non-voters. I was too young to vote in the last election, but this one I'll sure as Hell i'm gonna vote. GO DEMOCRACY!!!

I am 22 and started voting in the last few years. The Bush administration made me wake up and realize what happens to this country when people get lazy and don't vote.

Re: Are you registered? Will you vote?
 

isnt it illegal to not register? and also, isnt it illegal to not vote if you are registered?


over here in australia it is. if you dont register or vote you will get heavily fined if they find out.

talking about voting, i had to vote yesterday in our state election. i hate all those people who stand out side the place where you vote and try to get you to vote their party.

Not illegal at all. Making it illegal would be a violation of one's right IMO (and I'm guessing in the government's opinion), and not voting can be just as much a display of your political view as voting is (not to mention my thoughts concerning what I think about people who vote but aren't fully aware of what they're voting for and have good reasons why).

Bravo SecretMethod. I could not agree more.

I think too many people vote. I am astonished to hear from people who vote based entirely on a few sound bites they hear on the news the week before an election. One woman in my office votes the way her preacher tells her. Several years ago I asked her if she had seen an article in the paper. Her response was, "Oh, I don't read the paper." Frankly, that frightens me.

I would like to see people meet some threshold in order to be able to vote. Maybe they should prove they have read at least two editions of a newspaper in the previous 6 months. They should have at least a basic knowledge of our system of government and the way the voting process works. (I don't mean the punch cards or computers, but rather the way the electoral college works.) For the last time people, the popular vote does not now, nor has it ever, determine the winner. If you don't like it, fine. Get involved and work for a constitutional ammendment to change the rules, but don't whine because we follow the rules.

In Heinlein's Starship Troopers, voting was restricted to citizens. In order to become a citizen, you had to serve in the military or someother alternative service.

As an aside to those who want "anyone but Bush," that kind of negative motivation has been highly unsuccessful in recent elections.

i actually jagree with what you said secretmethod. if i didnt have to vote i probably wouldnt, well maybe not for the next couple of years. even though i am 20, i feel i am still a little immature to vote. once i start reading the paper properly and watching the news then i will. i mean i do have my preferences and do know who i would like to be in.

i know its probably not the best attitude to have and to admit to, but atleast im honest about it.

Yes I am register and I'm going to vote just to get Bush out of the office.

I've been registered in the past and haven't voted. I have no desire to learn about politics or to become educated in the corrupt ways of the politicians lifestyle. On a side note, it bores me to tears!

Our choice to vote or not to vote is our own personal freedom. No citizen has the right to brow beat others for their lack of interest in the government or for not voting.

registered, and have voted in every election i was eligible for since turning 18.

to anyone who says they don't have to vote, show up to the polls. get a ballot. turn it in blank. the number of non voting voters will at least give heart to new canidates and parties who might otherwise beleive they have no chance. to quote someone a hell of a lot wiser than me, be the change you want to see in the world. if politics sucks, take responsbility and start working on it.

I have voted ever since I turned 18. Every primary, general election and everything else. In a couple weeks there is an election to recall the county treasurer out here that I'll be voting in.

my first vote won't be so much as for one candidate as it will be a vote against another one. :(

One important thing is that young voters get their asses out there and vote. Even if they don't feel passionately about the issues that are currently in politics. The more young people vote, the more politicians will notice that they vote, and the more they will actually focus on issues that young people care about. Otherwise it will continue to be the sad cycle of all the old people voting and hogging all the issue-time!

Yea, vote every time...never vote a straight ticket...love to vote in the primarys where I can change back a forth between parties..
It really screws with those old peoples head that are running the voteing booths....they just don't understand not voteing the way you did the last time...

If you don't vote---don't bitch---you had your chance..

I'm not registered to vote yet.. but I will.. And I will vote. I'm already keeping up on who I want to vote for. I can't wait till we get to vote.

I'm registered and I vote. I've missed maybe 3 elections in the 24 years I've been able to vote and those were primary elections where my candidates ran unopposed. My son turns 18 this year and he'll be registered and I hope he'll vote too.

People take the right to vote for granted. The turnouts for elections is pitiful. Our subdivision has 1000 homes in it. The average turnout for elections in our subdivision is 4% :eek: WTF? Don't let someone else decide for you who gets elected. Your vote DOES count. Make it count.

i am registered but i didnt vote last year. kinda wish i did but i am registered only in one area and its 40 miles away. think i need to fix that for this year, i dont want Bush to come back.

My great grandparents have been registered for 60 years and never voted.

yep, registered and vote. I even show up in the off year elections where there's only one or two propisitions on the ballot. That's when your vote has the most voice because there's such a low turnout.

I am registered, and I plan to vote. It's an important duty.