# Is it wrong for me not to vote, like my father? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 30, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303 "2016-09-30T19:53:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/41 "2016-10-01T11:28:44Z")
For the record, sometimes I vote, sometimes I don’t. And I’ll likely vote in this election. That said, there has never been a single instance - not one - where I didn’t vote and it would have made a difference if I had. mmm ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/42 "2016-10-01T12:45:34Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > nice. The truth can be harsh. You know what? If I had to pick between kick in the balls or a punch in the face, I WOULD. The third option won’t happen, so I have to pick. It doesn’t matter one bit that I don’t like either option. I would still pick. (A punch to the face is much less hurtful, so I would choose that.) The thing about Sofie’s Choice is that **she still made a choice**. Adults have to make hard decisions. We don’t get to cry “it isn’t fair” and then run away. We have to take responsibility. So, yeah, a metaphor saying your argument is childish, and that the world isn’t a perfect place is quite appropriate. Plus, if someone saying “balls” pisses you off, why the fuck are not you not trying to stop Donald Trump? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/43 "2016-10-01T13:04:35Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I flatly reject the notion of a “civic duty” to vote. It’s a right that one may freely choose to forgo for any reason, or no reason. I generally choose to vote. You do you. It’s all good. Having the right to do something and it being the right thing to do are two completely different things, though. The thing is, it’s better for the country if people engage in the political process. Democracy depends on an engaged citizenry to perform its primary function–to filter out the worst of the worst. This time it’s more important than ever. There is someone who is far worse than any other candidate who has run for office in modern times. He needs to be stopped. And while people say “my vote doesn’t count” due to the small amount of power it has, that power is not 0. And because of that, Kantian ethics are in play. You have to think about “what if everyond did this?” If your logic for not voting is right, then others can have the same idea, and that multiplies. That power gets bigger. Yes, you have the right to not vote, but that choice, and the logic you choose to make it, causes a lot more harm than just your tiny vote. And, in this case in particular, the logic of “I don’t want to pick between the lesser of two evils” is a horrible one. Because that’s **always** what you will have to do. It’s the only way to make the world better. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/44 "2016-10-01T13:37:37Z")
I vote every election, and have, but have no problem with people who don’t vote and do not feel voting should be mandatory. If you don’t care enough about the election to vote, by all means, do not vote. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/45 "2016-10-01T18:29:40Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > no, “not voting” is a “don’t blame me” for when the pile of shit who got into office does something you don’t like. > > and how do they do that? > > no it isn’t. participating in the system makes the problem worse by perpetuating the system. Our _de facto_ two-party system combined with “first past the post” elections means we’re only ever going to be faced with choosing between a turd sandwich and a giant douche. If a person who I don’t vote for wins and turns out to be bad, at least I did what I could to prevent it. Not voting means you helped put that person in office. A small portion of the blame does fall on you. Voting rolls. You are aware that voting rolls, which show each and every election one votes in, are public record? No one knows who you voted for, but everyone knows every time you vote. There is sophisticated software available that will take voting rolls, address lists, phone lists, etc and produce a sorted list of likely voters for each candidate. If you don’t vote, you aren’t part of the solution and no one cares. If you don’t like the system, do something to change it. In politics, not voting means you have no influence on the system or the outcome. ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/46 "2016-10-01T19:00:42Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I disagree 100%. So did George Carlin, who said something like, “I don’t vote so I can complain - I say, hey, don’t look at me, I didn’t elect those assholes!” > mmm Said a man who made his living being a professional asshole. > [@rbroome](#): > > snip… > > It is annoying to look at the voters list and see someone who last voted two years ago. I doubt the person is worth contacting, but I go ahead just in case. 90% of the time I was right that the effort wasn’t worth it. This is confusing. Most places in the country, the last time someone could vote would be 2 years before. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/47 "2016-10-01T19:29:51Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I disagree 100%. So did George Carlin, who said something like, “I don’t vote so I can complain - I say, hey, don’t look at me, I didn’t elect those assholes!” > mmm I have heard that before. My response is to tell them to shut up. They had a chance to make their voice heard already, and they chose not to exercise it then. Why should anyone care what they have to say now? ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/48 "2016-10-01T19:34:50Z")
> [@ultimate11](#): > > Ah fuck it. I had something of an notion during the 2015 Illinois election, so I will vote. I may end up pissing off one side, face death threats, have one of family members throw me under the grave and leave me worse off (or not- my momma loves me too much), but I’m American! Why not? > > Best of luck to me. What are you talking about? You do know voting is private? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/49 "2016-10-01T20:28:14Z")
> [@ultimate11](#): > > I’d rather worry more about making money than worrying about who’s running and who’s living on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. How does voting or not voting affect your ability to make money? > [@ultimate11](#): > > Ah fuck it. I had something of an notion during the 2015 Illinois election, so I will vote. I may end up pissing off one side, face death threats, have one of family members throw me under the grave and leave me worse off (or not- my momma loves me too much), but I’m American! Why not? And I don’t understand this. Don’t they have secret ballots where you live? If someone is really going to get pissed off at how you said you voted, _lie to them_. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/50 "2016-10-01T23:20:30Z")
But your vote does do something. Not your vote in the presidential race but that’s just a distraction to keep you from paying attention to the important elections going on in your area. Your state and local governments do stuff that actually has real effects on your life and in a lot of cases we’re not talking about large pools of voters. Someone elected those folks in NC who somehow had the time to write stupid bathroom laws. Most of those were probably voters standing in the booth to vote for president and they just pulled some random lever for the other offices. Go, vote, just skip the national stuff if you want. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/51 "2016-10-02T01:06:08Z")
I disagree with **Big T**. A kick in the balls is better than a punch in the face. Never have my balls bled after being kicked, and if bruised, only a select few will see it (in a “best case” scenario). Not so with a bloody nose or black eye. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/52 "2016-10-02T01:48:02Z")
> [@rbroome](#): > > And you feel that not voting is a method of changing things? No, and I never posited it as such. I’m just unplugging with a “fuck this shit” attitude. > [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > OK, then, sit at home with your thumb up your rear and do nothing. That will institute change. Voting for Clinton will not institute change. Voting for Trump will not institute change. voting for anyone other than those two is equivalent to setting one’s own ballot on fire and tossing it into the toilet. and trying to boss people around on the Internet will surely not institute change. > [@BigT](#): > > The truth can be harsh. > > You know what? If I had to pick between kick in the balls or a punch in the face, I WOULD. The third option won’t happen, so I have to pick. No you don’t. you refuse to pick, then after receiving whichever one you’re given, you cave in the skull of whoever forced you into choosing between two totally unpalatable options. > [@](#): > > Plus, if someone saying “balls” pisses you off, why the fuck are not you not trying to stop Donald Trump? it isn’t the word I bristle at. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/53 "2016-10-02T02:16:02Z")
There are a bunch of people in the UK who voted for Brexit, thinking it would never pass but now regret the decision because of the consequences. There are probably a few members of the U.S. Congress who regret voting for the bill allowing the lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, but now regret the decision because of the consequences. Similarly, I think some people are going to vote for Donald Trump, or not vote at all, but may live to regret it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/54 "2016-10-02T04:24:07Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Voting for Clinton will not institute change. Voting for Trump will not institute change. voting for anyone other than those two is equivalent to setting one’s own ballot on fire and tossing it into the toilet. and trying to boss people around on the Internet will surely not institute change. Dead wrong. By definition, there will be change. The question is how royally fucked will you be by one as President compared to the other? I’m not bossing anyone around. I’m stating facts. Doing nothing is the way of the coward. Claim all you want how helpless and powerless you are, it’s a bullshit excuse for evading responsibility for the place you live. If you don’t like the system, work for change. Keyword: work. Otherwise, quit rationalizing. And bitching. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/55 "2016-10-02T04:39:50Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > I’m not bossing anyone around. I’m stating facts. Doing nothing is the way of the coward. Claim all you want how helpless and powerless you are, it’s a bullshit excuse for evading responsibility for the place you live. If you don’t like the system, work for change. Keyword: work. Otherwise, quit rationalizing. And bitching. The thing is, sometimes you _can’t_ effect change, no matter how hard you work for it, and trying really is a waste of your time. Having said all that, voting is important - even if for no other reason than to pick the Least Worst option on the ballot paper. IMHO if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain about the results afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/56 "2016-10-02T07:15:16Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > The thing is, sometimes you _can’t_ effect change, no matter how hard you work for it, and trying really is a waste of your time. > > Having said all that, voting is important - even if for no other reason than to pick the Least Worst option on the ballot paper. > > IMHO if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain about the results afterwards. How many ‘impossible things’ has the human race accomplished over the ages? The only way something is impossible is if it’s never attempted. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/57 "2016-10-02T11:12:45Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > How many ‘impossible things’ has the human race accomplished over the ages? The only way something is impossible is if it’s never attempted. Sorry, I disagree. There are plenty of things which are patently not possible either due to circumstances or current technological limitations. And it’s not a cool, right-on narrative, but the reality of the universe is that one person quite frequently _cannot_ make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/58 "2016-10-02T22:13:56Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Don’t let voting fuck up a perfectly good drinking day. If I do end up voting this year, I’m going to have to have a few drinks before I can stomach any of the candidates on the ballot. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/59 "2016-10-02T23:53:41Z")
Thousands of people fought and died for my right to not vote and still complain about things. Those of you who insist I must vote remind me of those people that are pissed that sportsball guy didnt stand up for the national anthem. Voting should be done by an informed public. Even if I _might_ be informed enough to make a decision about one particular thing, I wouldn’t ever claim to know everything about all the issues. And I know myself, I wouldn’t just leave the ballot blank on them, I’d vote blind. Is that what you want me to do? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303/60 "2016-10-03T00:32:09Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Sorry, I disagree. There are plenty of things which are patently not possible either due to circumstances or current technological limitations. > > And it’s not a cool, right-on narrative, but the reality of the universe is that one person quite frequently _cannot_ make a difference. Which is still the same rationalization for not trying. How do you _know_? What omnipotent knowledge do you have that something is not possible? We didn’t have the technology for a moon shot. Or flight. Or nuclear power. Or any other form of power. Yet we discovered them because we were looking for them. What if the entire human race had just said, “Nope, not possible, never gonna happen.” and given up? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-me-not-to-vote-like-my-father/767303.md?page=4)