# It's Officially Election Day **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 4, 2008, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000 "2008-11-04T05:06:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/241 "2008-11-04T21:38:57Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > hilarious SmartAleq. In fact I might just do it three times. šŸ™‚ > > anyway, many people have accomplished great things through noncompliance. MLK and Ghandi ring any bells? Refusing your participation in a massive group think event IS a strong statement. Obviously you donā€™t think like that so enough said. Again not correct. Not voting changes little. It is not a form of peaceful protest; it is just doing nothing at all. At least vote and vote 3rd party. Hell become a semi-crazy one issue voter and pick the candidate that best supports your pet issue. At least that is doing something. Choosing to not participate in a draft is a strong form of protest. (Which I personally disagree with but I understand it as a protest). MLK wanted people to vote and peacefully protest. To rally against the wrongs. Pete Seeger once told a bunch of us not to be afraid to be arrested for what you think is right. That is protest, (of course I thought to myself, Nope not me!) Protest peacefully for change. Decide what change you want to see and work towards that change. There are many posters in this thread that I know of that worked on Obamaā€™s campaign and put in the hours. Myself I work with one small environmental group to peacefully try to change the world. We each do our own thing as we should. But not voting really is not a form of protest. Organizing a third party would be even though it is seemingly futile in face of the two party system we have now. Beside what donā€™t you like about Obamaā€™s or McCainā€™s platforms? These are honestly two of the better candidates that we have had in years. (I wonā€™t talk about Palin). Jim ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/242 "2008-11-04T21:39:18Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Iā€™m not going to say who I chose for POTUS. Will say that I voted a split ticket this year, as Iā€™ve done in the past. Iā€™ve voted several times on a split ticket. My area of Connecticut was particularly effected when Rob Simmons (R) lost. There are 2 nuke plants, 1 defense plant and contractor, 1 navy base and Pfizer Global in this area. Simmons did a great job for however long we had him [8 years?] but Joe Courtney (D) beat him last cycle. And Joe is sort of meh. Although I did just vote for him. ---
**Author:** ![zuer-coli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ba9def/32.png) [@zuer-coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuer-coli)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/243 "2008-11-04T21:47:35Z")
Northern Indiana here got up @ 5 a.m, walked to the PP 5:20 a.m. next people 5:30 maybe 50 - 75 folk by opening time. self out of PP by 6:05 All seemed up and hopeful Z ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/244 "2008-11-04T21:50:25Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Welcome to the board. With regard to **Shayna** , however, I have to say thereā€™s very little chance youā€™re correct. > > I think not voting is a totally valid option, which puts me at odds with some people here - even third-party voting sometimes get scorned. But Iā€™m not impressed with the arguments youā€™ve put forward to this point. Theyā€™re very generic. Thanks, **Marley** , I appreciate the compliment. And for the record, I have no issue with electing not to vote, either. Frankly, I wish everyone who was truly ignorant of the candidates or issues would abstain. I wish the Republicans who didnā€™t like Bush, but couldnā€™t bring themselves to vote for Kerry, had stayed home. Bless my conservative Fatherā€™s heart, at least he had the courage to vote Nader in 2004. What I take issue with, like you, is **jadlerā€™s** stated reasons for not voting, and his or her contention that itā€™s based on diligent research. Clearly, itā€™s not. But who knows, the polls arenā€™t closed anywhere in the country yet, so perhaps we have an opportunity to fight a little ignorance and get him or her to the polls afterall! šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/245 "2008-11-04T21:52:44Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > But who knows, the polls arenā€™t closed anywhere in the country yet, so perhaps we have an opportunity to fight a little ignorance and get him or her to the polls afterall! šŸ˜‰ IF heā€™s already registered or lives in a same-day state. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/246 "2008-11-04T21:53:42Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > But who knows, the polls arenā€™t closed anywhere in the country yet, so perhaps we have an opportunity to fight a little ignorance and get him or her to the polls afterall! šŸ˜‰ Iā€™m not convinced heā€™s eligible to vote. He said he was born in the 1990s. Donā€™t you have to register at least 30 days prior to the election? Heā€™d have to have been born prior to 10/4/90 to be eligibleā€¦ Edit: I did not know there were ā€œsame-dayā€ states. If there are and he is in one, heā€™d have to have been born prior to 11/4/90 to voteā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![jadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@jadler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jadler)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/247 "2008-11-04T21:56:07Z")
I was born in the 90ā€™s specifically 1990. šŸ™‚ Iā€™m eligible donā€™t worry your heads off for little olā€™ me now. Wouldnā€™t want someone to stroke before they announce the results! lol! šŸ˜ƒ Also I generally believe that 9/11 was an inside job so my view of this nation is not a good one. Before you say it YES YES YES I did research on that topic and can show proof. read this for startersā€¦ [![](http://www.911sharethetruth.com/images/cards/CR13-740h.jpg) ](http://www.911sharethetruth.com/images/cards/CR13-740h.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/248 "2008-11-04T21:59:18Z")
OK, Iā€™ve had my nap, itā€™s getting dark outside, and Iā€™m wearing beer goggles. _tunes TV to CNN_ Hit it. ---
**Author:** ![sohvan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sohvan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sohvan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/249 "2008-11-04T21:59:39Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > OMG! Look what I did ā€“ [me, voting for Barack Obama and Joe Biden for President and Vice President of the United States](http://www.flickr.com/photos/23298617@N05/3002322707/sizes/o/)! As they say, great minds. . . šŸ˜‰ > > Woo HOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Iā€™m surprised they let you photograph yourself voting as I thought the idea of a secret ballot was widespread. Iā€™ve worked as an election official in some elections in Finland, and photographing your vote or letting someone else be present while marking your vote is not allowed here. Basically the voter or their helper in the case of elderly must be the only one who knows whatā€™s in the ballot until the moment it enters the voting box. After that youā€™re free to tell anyone who you voted for. Not that I think you did anything wrong, Iā€™m just curious how these things are done in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/250 "2008-11-04T22:07:52Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > Also I generally believe that 9/11 was an inside job so my view of this nation is not a good one. Before you say it YES YES YES I did research on that topic and can show proof. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/251 "2008-11-04T22:12:34Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > research You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. ---
**Author:** ![jadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@jadler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jadler)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/252 "2008-11-04T22:13:22Z")
donā€™t judge a view until you can refute it in full. you people are very self assured in your ways but I offer a new viewpoint. think of this at the least as an exercise of thought. meaning is perspective and therefore is relative to the observer. at the least you can tolerate a new perspective canā€™t you? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/253 "2008-11-04T22:17:01Z")
Hang around, kid. You might learn something. Meanwhile, why donā€™t you read one of the 349304839043 threads around here debunking the ā€œ9/11 conspiracy.ā€ In other news, I am a nervous wreck waiting for election returns to come in. Fret fret fret. ---
**Author:** ![jadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@jadler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jadler)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/254 "2008-11-04T22:24:46Z")
thanks I think I will hang around. I would love to check out those threads. It sounds like a great deal of thought went into everything. I would love to stick around but I have class in a few minutes. Off to psyc 120 šŸ™‚ See you guys around and have a happy election. Even as a non voter I still think its rather exciting. Also btw I donā€™t mean to create a stir, I know that I just sorta jumped in here šŸ˜› ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/255 "2008-11-04T22:28:05Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > anyway, many people have accomplished great things through noncompliance. MLK and Ghandi ring any bells? Refusing your participation in a massive group think event IS a strong statement. Obviously you donā€™t think like that so enough said. MLK and Ghandi understood the power of political action. They were not passive. It wasnā€™t about not complying, it was about provocative defiance. Be in on a bus, in a diner or on the road to a beach to make salt they wanted a reaction. They put their lives on the line for what they believed in. It doesnā€™t get more active than that. You on the other hand passively stand to the side and feel superior for no real reason other than the you seem to need to get over yourself a tad. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/256 "2008-11-04T22:36:48Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > Also I generally believe that 9/11 was an inside job so my view of this nation is not a good one. Before you say it YES YES YES I did research on that topic and can show proof. Alrighty then. Moving along. ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/257 "2008-11-04T22:41:22Z")
Hey! I just saw a great movie jadler would LOVE! Life changing it isā€¦ ziegā€¦ somethingā€¦ well I saw the first 5 minutesā€¦ and I meant it was grating on my nerves ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/258 "2008-11-04T22:43:44Z")
Politicians love people who donā€™t vote. Theyā€™re the perfect victims. ---
**Author:** ![Marjorie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5ac83/32.png) [@Marjorie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marjorie)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/259 "2008-11-04T22:52:15Z")
I walked to Grady High in Midtown Atlanta around 4pm to vote. There was zero line, I walked in, filled out my paper, got my voting card, walked up to one of the 10 empty machines and did my thing. I was nearly as excited to vote for Jim Martin as for Obama. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/260 "2008-11-04T22:54:35Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > read this for startersā€¦ > link/deleted/from/quote/by **xenophon41** Well, there you go. Thanks I guess. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000.md?page=14)