# Didn't vote? Then shut up! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 6, 2002, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553 "2002-11-06T14:33:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/61 "2002-11-07T07:23:45Z")
Why the hell should I have voted? I don’t know shit about shit when it comes to politics. I’d end up voting for the person with the least annoying ads, or, in the cases where I can’t seen an ad, for the easiest to pronounce name. Or maybe I’d flip a coin. Think about that. Do you honestly want me to cast a vote that may cancel out your own vote, when I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing? (“you” and “your” are the general you and your, not anyone in particular) ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/62 "2002-11-07T08:52:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BlackKnight \* > \*\*Why the hell should I have voted? I don’t know shit about shit when it comes to politics. I’d end up voting for the person with the least annoying ads, or, in the cases where I can’t seen an ad, for the easiest to pronounce name. Or maybe I’d flip a coin. > > Think about that. > > Do you honestly want me to cast a vote that may cancel out your own vote, when I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing? > > (“you” and “your” are the general you and your, not anyone in particular) \*\* So you are OK with us ignoring your ignorant opinion in all political discussions? You don’t know shit about the politics? Ever watch TV? Or read a newspaper? Listen to the radio at all? Everyone may not be well-informed about the issues and canidates, but to know **nothing** about the issues or canidates would have taken some work on your part. As was already said, many states (including sunny California:D ) have laws requiring that employees be given ample time to get to the polls, and to be paid for a full day. Registering to vote is a pretty simple process in every state I’ve personally been to. And there always seems to be a lot folks who go out of their way to make the process even easier by setting up card tables outside of retail establishments, schools, libraries and what-not, and offering to help fill out the proper forms. And EVERY state will give you an absentee ballot if you ask them for one, so you don’t eve have to get dressed or anything. IMO, voting is your civic duty, like jury duty. You don’t _have_ to do it. But if you don’t, I find it a little difficult to respect your opinion as much. Not impossible, but difficult. Voting just doesn’t seem like a lot to ask of citizens. ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/63 "2002-11-07T13:23:55Z")
People who don’t vote _do_ have the right to complain – and I have the right to disregard all of their complaints because they didn’t bother to vote. In other words, if you don’t vote, don’t complain _to me._ BTW, my husband almost missed the polls. He leaves for work at 5:30 – before the polls open. He works 30 minutes away from our polling place, so voting on his lunch hour isn’t an option. We had planned to vote at 6:00 when he got home and then go out to dinner. However, he had an appointment at 4:30 to get his oil changed in Chesapeake and the traffic was hideous all the way home. He called me at 6, on his cell phone while he sat in the traffic leading into the Tunnel and told me to go vote without him if he wasn’t home by 6:30 and he would stop at the polls on the way home if he made it before they closed. He reminded me _fervently_ to vote YES on the traffic referendum. I went and voted at 6:30ish and he rushed in at 8 minutes to 7 – just barely in time… Then, wearing our ‘I voted’ stickers and feeling proud to have participated in the process, we went to the Yorktown Pub and discussed politics and traffic over chili and beer. Several of the other patrons there were bitching about traffic and hoping the traffic referendum would pass. When I asked if they had voted, several admitted that they “hadn’t gotten around to it.” The traffic referendum failed to pass. End of story. Jess ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/64 "2002-11-07T13:29:08Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Enderw24_ > That’s fine by me. You voted. Not for everyone, but you voted. So if a person can’t stomach any of the candidates, it’s OK not to vote. That’s what I’m saying. Those who think everybody should vote whether they like a candidate or not are putting form over substance. Voting for an unopposed candidate is a purely symbolic gesture. If you like making the gesture, that’s fine, but you can’t condemn those who choose not to. I vote. There is normally something or somebody worth voting for in my opinion. But I understand that others have different views on voting and may object to voting as a matter of conscience. It’s a bit arrogant to tell them they have no right to complain. ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/65 "2002-11-07T13:32:41Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by spooje_ > IMO, voting is your civic duty, like jury duty. You don’t have to do it. FYI, there are penalties associated with ditching jury duty without good cause, so it’s not quite the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/66 "2002-11-07T14:17:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoff \* > \*\* > FYI, there are penalties associated with ditching jury duty without good cause, so it’s not quite the same thing. \*\* Really? C’mon. Anyone can get out of jury duty if that’s what they want to do. My ex-roomie writes ‘not at this address’ on the intitial summons and sends it back unopened. That’s worked for him for 10 years. Just because there are possible penalties doesn’t mean that much these days… ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/67 "2002-11-07T14:21:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoff \* > \*\* > So if a person can’t stomach any of the candidates, it’s OK not to vote. That’s what I’m saying. > > \*\* I couldn’t stomach either of the canidates for California governor. So I wrote in Richard Riordan. Another excuse shot down.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/68 "2002-11-07T14:46:16Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by spooje_ > C’mon. Anyone can get out of jury duty if that’s what they want to do. I know. I was just pointing out that the situations weren’t completely analagous. > [@](#): > > Another excuse shot down. I don’t make excuses, I make incredibly insightful comments. 😃 I’m not a write-in kind of guy. The candidate for House in my district was completely unopposed. I didn’t vote for her and didn’t write anything in. Why? I just think writing somebody in would be silly. That’s a valid way of approaching the situation. Yet, according to some posters, I have no right to complain about my representation in the House. I think that, too, is silly. So, if I was presented with a ballot with all unopposed candidates and no other issues, I probably wouldn’t vote. Some would say I should, but they’re simply trying to impose their view of proper voting on me. Voting in this situation would be nothing more than symbolism. If I want symbolism, I could stay home and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I generally think people should vote. But there are many situations in which it doesn’t make sense for individuals. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/69 "2002-11-07T16:14:37Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m not a write-in kind of guy. What on earth does that mean, **Zoff**? ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/70 "2002-11-07T16:14:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoff \* > \*\* > And you know what? I’m sure others had scheduling problems. Or there are others that could juggle things and have time to vote but choose not to when the race is non-competitive. \*\* Okay, I was in bed with the flu on voting day, but I STILL managed to drag my weary bones to the polls. It happens once every TWO YEARS and takes FIVE MINUTES. I don’t buy anyones “time restraints” excuse. If you don’t want to vote because you’re in the “what’s the use?” camp, then fine. But don’t blame it on scheduling. The polls here are open for 13 hours, that excuse is just lame. I for one totally agree, if you don’t vote, you don’t get to bitch. I tell my family and b/f that regularly. They NEVER vote and ALWAYS complain. Drives me nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/71 "2002-11-07T16:28:22Z")
Let me also add this. It’s a secret ballot, and there’s a reason it’s a secret ballot. So you know what, Mr. Co-Worker, Stranger, or Fellow SDMBer? It’s none of your fucking business who I voted for, or even if I voted at all. I thought about starting a companion pit thread entitled, “Did vote? Then shut up!” I don’t care who you voted for or why, or that your team won or lost, or that you hate Candidate A or whatever. It’s none of my business and I don’t care about it. Nor do I want to hear you strut around telling everyone you voted. Hooray, you get a medal. You’re Mister-fucking-Democracy of 2002. Now sit down and get back to work. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/72 "2002-11-07T16:34:46Z")
Sorry, I posted that before reading the other flu story. 🙂 I find it hard to believe that someone could not care or agree with ANYTHING on the ballot. Local races? Initiatives? Well, on ititiatives, if you don’t agree then you still vote. You vote no. So as far as protesting goes, i’m not understanding that one either. ---
**Author:** ![Corrvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@Corrvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corrvin)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/73 "2002-11-07T16:44:28Z")
**lezlers** writes, > [@](#): > > I don’t buy anyones “time restraints” excuse. …The polls here are open for 13 hours, that excuse is just lame. I suppose you don’t know any nurses, resident doctors, or anyone else who works a 14 hour shift, or anyone who works a shorter shift further away from their polling place than they can drive in the time between when they get off and when the polls close. **spooje** writes, > [@](#): > > And EVERY state will give you an absentee ballot if you ask them for one, so you don’t eve have to get dressed or anything. It is true that every state has absentee ballots, but it’s not true that “anyone can get one.” For instance, in Massachusetts, you’re allowed to vote by absentee ballot ONLY if: > [@](#): > > you will be absent from your city or town on election day, and/or > have a physical disability that prevents your voting at the polling place, and/or > cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs. (from [http://www.state.ma.us/sec/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm](http://www.state.ma.us/sec/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm)) If you’ll notice, working long hours or having children to pick up from childcare or simply being too busy to vote on election day is NOT a reason you may get a ballot. Those people are expected to show up on election day or forfeit their privilege. Voting’s pretty important. But is it important enough to leave your children unsupervised while you do it? Your patient on the operating table? There are things that are more important than voting. Taking care of those things because you must doesn’t make you a bad person or invalidate your right to complain any more than anyone else who was simply not able to vote. Crow ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/74 "2002-11-07T16:45:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spooje \* > **So you are OK with us ignoring your ignorant opinion in all political discussions?** Ignorance isn’t cured by ignoring it. > [@](#): > > **You don’t know shit about the politics? Ever watch TV? Or read a newspaper? Listen to the radio at all?** Occassionally, rarely, and never, respectively. > [@](#): > > **Everyone may not be well-informed about the issues and canidates, but to know nothing about the issues or canidates would have taken some work on your part.** I live in one town (going to college here), but my permanent address is in my hometown. I could have applied for an absentee ballot. But you know what? I know _nothing_ about the candidates from that area because although my address is there I don’t live there. I don’t even know the names of the people running, or for what offices. Should I have voted for them nonetheless? > [@](#): > > **IMO, voting is your civic duty, like jury duty. You don’t _have_ to do it.** Bingo. And if you know that you are not fit to be juror on a particular case, it is your duty to let this be known so that you may be excused from jury duty. ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/75 "2002-11-07T17:17:36Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by andros_ > What on earth does that mean, Zoff? It means I don’t write-in candidates on ballots. Am I being whooshed? > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by lezlers_ > Okay, I was in bed with the flu on voting day, but I STILL managed to drag my weary bones to the polls. Bully for you. That doesn’t mean everybody has to conform to your idea of proper choices. > [@](#): > > So as far as protesting goes, i’m not understanding that one either. Fine. Then disagree with it. It doesn’t make you a better citizen than a person who follows their conscience and chooses not to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/76 "2002-11-07T17:24:34Z")
Without lying or deliberately breaking the law, it’s much harder to get out of jury duty than some people suppose. While I agree that people who don’t/didn’t vote should probably shut up about politics (or at least expect to be ignored), I know lots of self-employed people, including my dad, who do not vote because registering will cause them to be called for jury duty. Jury duty can be a devastating financial hardship on the self-employed (and some regularly employed folks) and in these cases, I totally support not voting as a method of lying low. It’s too bad when citizens feel they have to hide from the government, just because they need to put food on the table. But that’s not really the topic of this thread, so I’ll stop now. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/77 "2002-11-07T17:30:36Z")
North Carolina has early voting where you can vote up to a week (I think) before Election Day Proper. Do any other states have this? There goes another excuse, at least around here. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/78 "2002-11-07T17:37:43Z")
North Carolina has early voting where you can vote up to a week (I think) before Election Day Proper. Do any other states have this? There goes another excuse, at least around here. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/79 "2002-11-07T18:05:02Z")
**Zoff** : > [@](#): > > It means I don’t write-in candidates on ballots. Am I being whooshed? No, sorry. I’m wondering mostly what a “write-in kind of guy” would be, I guess. It sounded like you were somewhat disparaging of writing in a candidate, and if that’s the case I wonder why you feel that way. ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2002, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553/80 "2002-11-07T18:30:05Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by andros_ > It sounded like you were somewhat disparaging of writing in a candidate It was just a throwaway phrase, nothing deeper. I wasn’t trying to disparage people who write in candidates. It’s just not something I do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-vote-then-shut-up/135553.md?page=5)