# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 456
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9103 "2025-11-04T19:31:19Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Likewise, I would pay double the average price for appliances that last, because I am so tired of replacing my toaster oven every couple years. My theory with refrigerators is that you’re actually better off buying a basic, freezer on top, no bells and whistles model. That’s pretty much the simplest possible design, and one that’s been around 100 years now. I think when people complain that fridges aren’t as reliable anymore it’s because they bought a fridge with the freezer on the bottom since that’s all the rage now, which means now you need fans to circulate the air within the fridge because you’re trying to make it go the opposite direction cold air naturally wants to go, which adds additional points of failure. Plus extra bells and whistles like an ice maker. They may have paid more for it, but they paid for extra bells and whistles and a trendier design, not higher quality. As a data point, the basic fridge I bought in 2008 has never had any problems whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9104 "2025-11-04T20:13:24Z")
There’s currently what seems to me a large percentage of people who want to vote but were prevented by circumstance. Considering that if you expect not to be able to vote on the day or during the given hours you can now in most places vote in advance in person or by mail, I’m surprised it’s that high (nearly 20% when I looked.) Usually these days I vote in person in advance, just in case something does come up to prevent me on the day, but for this off year election with most positions unopposed and when I had no other reason to drive twice the distance to the polling place I left it till today. Done now, though. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9105 "2025-11-04T20:27:39Z")
I always vote in person. My polling location is on my way to work so I leave a few minutes early and stop in to vote. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9106 "2025-11-04T20:30:27Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I decided that, “I’m an American, but it’s not voting day where i live” counts as "i couldn’t vote due to circumstances beyond my control. I’m in the same boat, but I chose to not vote in this poll, because it’s not that I WANT to vote but can’t. Whoever set up the poll just assumed that there is voting going on everywhere in the US today. There is not. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9107 "2025-11-04T20:34:52Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I’m surprised it’s that high (nearly 20% when I looked.) Well, I’m one of the “prevented by circumstances”. The circumstance is that my local elections are in the spring, not in November. There are no elections i am eligible to vote in today. And as for voting for unopposed candidates, it depends on what i know about them. If i like them, i vote for them. If i know nothing (or dislike them) i don’t. Especially for local elections. There are often write-in candidates. They even occasionally win. Anyway, why vote for someone i don’t like, unless i know them to be the lesser evil? (So i didn’t vote in that poll.) ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9108 "2025-11-04T20:50:26Z")
Regarding the question on voting for unopposed candidates, I said I don’t bother. These are mostly local elections where I don’t know much, if anything, about the candidate. On the other hand, I will vote for a Judge or Commissioner running unopposed if I really like the person. Today’s ballot had a bunch of school board, fire district something or other, and port commissioner races that were unopposed and I didn’t bother voting. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9109 "2025-11-04T21:05:45Z")
For the unopposed candidates, I vote for them just out of a feeling of obligation to vote in every race. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9110 "2025-11-04T21:35:12Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I decided that, “I’m an American, but it’s not voting day where i live” counts as "i couldn’t vote due to circumstances beyond my control. Same. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9111 "2025-11-04T22:15:37Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Well, I’m one of the “prevented by circumstances”. The circumstance is that my local elections are in the spring, not in November. There are no elections i am eligible to vote in today. I have never once had nothing to vote for on Election Day. There have been times when there was nothing important going on but there is always something. The next few years will be important. This year the big race is for Governor. I’m also voting for mayor and council. Next year is for Congress. 2027 Cory Booker’s seat is on the ballot. Then of course we are hoping for a presidential election in 2028. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9112 "2025-11-04T22:17:44Z")
If someone is unopposed it depends on how I feel about them. If it’s someone I hate I won’t give them my vote. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9113 "2025-11-04T22:21:37Z")
Did you mean to reply to some other post? Today is not election day where i live, so your post doesn’t make sense as a reply. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9114 "2025-11-04T23:02:40Z")
I’ll only vote for an unopposed candidate if I’m aware of and approve of his policies or they have been endorsed by my state party. Otherwise I will leave it blank. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9115 "2025-11-04T23:33:02Z")
Time telling devices that didn’t automatically adjust for DST: 5. Stove, microwave, alarm clock, the old iPod dock / radio I picked up at Goodwill recently just to use as a radio in my home office, and my car. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9116 "2025-11-04T23:39:07Z")
I’ll vote for an unopposed candidate if I’m in favor of that particular candidate. Otherwise I’ll skip that line. And this year I’m not voting for an unopposed Republican even if I think they’re doing a decent job in a local office. I used to. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9117 "2025-11-04T23:50:43Z")
All my devices updated the new time so seamlessly, I forgot the clocks changed last weekend until this morning ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9118 "2025-11-05T00:59:21Z")
Sorry for not putting more choices at the higher end-I myself had 2 (my 2013 Honda, and the one on my old stove), and figured in this day and age that would be a bit below the median. My alarm clock c. a decade old updated on its own, as did all my phone devices and my PC. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2025, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9119 "2025-11-05T04:41:30Z")
We have way too many clocks which don’t automatically adjust for DST, and must be reset manually. - Three old-fashioned digital alarm clocks: one on my nightstand, one on my wife’s nightstand, one in the bathroom (which is mostly used as a radio) - Clocks in three cars, the newest of which is a 2015 - Kitchen range - Microwave oven - Analog wall clock in the kitchen - “Nixie bulb”- style desk clock in the living room ---
**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 5, 2025, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9120 "2025-11-05T05:40:10Z")
Our clocks which had to be manually changed: - small bathroom clock - larger wall clock in other bathroom - mantelpiece clock in living room - TV cabinet clock, also in living room - wife’s bedside clock radio - wall clock in kitchen As with others, I will vote for an unopposed candidate if I support that candidate and believe he or she is doing a good job; otherwise I will purposefully not vote for that person. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2025, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9121 "2025-11-05T11:53:09Z")
Time-telling devices that “failed to automatically adjust”? None that I know of. Time-telling devices that didn’t even _try_ to automatically adjust? Several, including a wristwatch, a car clock, a stove, a microwave, and a decades-old alarm clock. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2025, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9122 "2025-11-05T12:11:53Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Time-telling devices that “failed to automatically adjust”? None that I know of. Good point. We have three that “don’t even try,” plus one that tries but often fails. (And about six that try and succeed). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=455) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=457)