# 2018 Election Day Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 6, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079 "2018-11-06T15:43:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/62 "2018-11-06T19:41:36Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I would rephrase that as “because you have an obligation to.” Wrong. There is no obligation to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/63 "2018-11-06T19:51:31Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > I would never wear a sticker, not because I’m ashamed I voted, but because I’d be ashamed to be the kind of person who would proudly boast about it. It’s not an achievement, people! It’s just something you do because you want to. Part of the effect of wearing the sticker is to inspire (or guilt) others by your example. People follow the crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/64 "2018-11-06T19:52:02Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > Wrong. There is no obligation to vote. Not a legal one, of course. Certainly an ethical one. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/65 "2018-11-06T19:52:39Z")
Legally, no. Morally, yes. Just got back from voting an almost straight Democratic ticket. Had to choose between two Republicans for my Representative, so I voted against the incumbent, who is a Tea Party Trumpite of the worst order. Voted for bond issues (mostly), against repealing a gas tax, against rich old people abusing their Prop. 13 obligations and for making private First Responders getting their orders “to go.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/66 "2018-11-06T19:52:40Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > Wrong. There is no obligation to vote. Of course not legally, but certainly morally. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/67 "2018-11-06T19:58:58Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Not a legal one, of course. Certainly an ethical one. > [@Leaffan](#): > > Of course not legally, but certainly morally. I grant that in some cases, there _could_ be a moral or ethical obligation to vote; but I disagree that it’s universally the case. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/68 "2018-11-06T20:04:05Z")
I’m heading out to the polls in the next few minutes. I don’t know. I’m not feeling particularly optimistic, but I’ve been wrong about most things for most of my life, so here’s hoping. I asked a number of people what their voting plan was going to be for today and I didn’t get a positive response from anybody. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure everybody I asked leans conservative, so maybe that’s a good thing. Here’s a small (2) sample of the conversations I had today: “What’s your voting plan?” “I’m not going to vote.” “Why not?” “I just don’t think I’m informed enough.” “Allow me to inform you …” “I don’t want to hear it. Republicans and Democrats are all assholes. I’d never vote for any of them.” “What’s your voting plan today?” “I never vote.” “Why not?” “Dude, my cousin registered to vote one day and the next week he got jury duty. I don’t want jury duty.” So … whaddayagonnado? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/69 "2018-11-06T20:06:52Z")
Resolving to respond to the election results with civility, come what may: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2018/11/02/dont-be-insufferable-nov-no-matter-outcome-here-are-questions-help-you/?noredirect=on&utm\_term=.c372f6c38146](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2018/11/02/dont-be-insufferable-nov-no-matter-outcome-here-are-questions-help-you/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.c372f6c38146) ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/70 "2018-11-06T20:13:39Z")
> [@slalexan](#): > > I voted this morning before work. It was just starting to rain in Metro Detroit but I was able to get inside. The line inside was not bad. The ballot was MASSIVE though. We aren’t allowed to use our cellphones so I had to study a bit to make sure I remembered who all I wanted. My only complaint was that they had us filling in boxes with a ballpoint pen. It’s just so inefficient. Everywhere I have ever lived a sample ballot was available (sometimes you have to hunt for it on line) and I always fill it in and take it with me. I have no idea how other people are able to vote without this kind of “cheat sheet” (unless they vote a straight ticket, which I really disapprove of. I believe voting should require thinking about and researching every race.) ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/71 "2018-11-06T20:15:33Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > Amusing, yes. I call it the “mark of shame”. I throw mine out the minute I exit the building (I don’t want to be rude to the poor schlub handing them out). You think voting is shameful? ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/72 "2018-11-06T20:18:29Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > How long will it be before definite trends can be called? [Here’s some rag\* giving poll-closing times](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-06/us-midterm-elections-when-will-we-know-the-result/10456492) adjusted to Australian time zones. Exit polls don’t get reported on, IIRC, until after a particular poll closes, so it’ll be a few more hours before any results are “known”. \*😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/73 "2018-11-06T20:21:55Z")
Reports of some severe voting irregularities in (surprise) Georgia. > **[Georgia voters face long lines, machine breakdowns on Election Day |...](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2018/nov/06/long-lines-broken-machines/)** > > Problem signs that arose during weeks of early voting carried into Election Day as some voters across the country faced hours-long lines, malfunctioning voting equipment and unexpectedly closed polling places. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/74 "2018-11-06T20:27:36Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > You think voting is shameful? That’s been my experience. There have been a couple of candidates over the years (exactly two that I can remember) for various offices that I have been genuinely proud and happy to vote for. But more often than not, you’re only voting in order to prevent a greater evil by enabling a lesser evil. The act of voting is a legitimizing act, which is always very morally conflicting for me. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/75 "2018-11-06T20:29:45Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > That’s been my experience. > > There have been a couple of candidates over the years (exactly two that I can remember) for various offices that I have been genuinely proud and happy to vote for. But more often than not, you’re only voting in order to prevent a greater evil by enabling a lesser evil. > > The act of voting is a legitimizing act, which is always very morally conflicting for me. Not voting is also a legitimizing act. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/76 "2018-11-06T20:29:47Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > You think voting is shameful? I don’t put bumper stickers on my car, nor stickers on my body. I usually slap the “I Voted” stickers on the inside of the sun visor. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/77 "2018-11-06T20:30:41Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Not voting is also a legitimizing act. Why, because the non-voter is passively allowing things to happen? ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/78 "2018-11-06T20:34:04Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Everywhere I have ever lived a sample ballot was available (sometimes you have to hunt for it on line) and I always fill it in and take it with me. I have no idea how other people are able to vote without this kind of “cheat sheet” (unless they vote a straight ticket, which I really disapprove of. I believe voting should require thinking about and researching every race.) Wow, you must have a lot of things to vote on there. I think we had 5 items. A vote for senate, a vote for representative, a county bond approval and two other items of little interest. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/79 "2018-11-06T20:36:03Z")
> [@Greathouse](#): > > How fucking convenient. Wow! Convenient? How so? Foreclosure doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Payments haven’t been made for quite some time, and often a court order is involved. It has nothing to do with “voter suppression”. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/80 "2018-11-06T20:36:59Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > Why, because the non-voter is passively allowing things to happen? Basically, yes – it’s still a choice. Not voting is a choice, as is voting. They both have consequences, even though the power of a single vote is small. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079/81 "2018-11-06T20:40:00Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Basically, yes – it’s still a choice. Not voting is a choice, as is voting. They both have consequences, even though the power of a single vote is small. Yes, that’s undoubtedly true, but it doesn’t explain how purposefully abstaining from voting “legitimizes” anything. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-election-day-thread/824079.md?page=5)