# Why I Don't Vote
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664
**Category:** Politics & Elections
**Created:** [February 14, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664 "2015-02-14T20:33:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@BlindTyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlindTyger)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/1 "2015-02-14T20:33:48Z")
DISCLAIMER: If you have any strongly held religious beliefs or political loyalties, don’t read this. I don’t want to invoke anyone’s wrath. This is just venting.
1. Who can determine the lesser of two evils?
2. Either way, taxes will still exist. I earned that money! (Yes, the people have the right to protest and petition against them…but for some reason, still haven’t)
3. The Republicans are close-minded, the Liberals aren’t liberal enough to stamp out the Republicans, and the other parties must be obscure and unpopular for a reason.
4. If and when the US falls apart in 2022\*, will it really matter who’s running it?
5. It has been noted that Christianity is “falling in popularity among developed countries” including this one. So why do the God-centered Republicans dominate the House/Senate currently?
6. It costs money to get a copy of one’s birth certificate to get an ID to get a voting license. And if that much is required just to vote, then it’s not worth the three-hour, $4.50 ride on public transportation.
7. Over the past few years, it has become obvious that the rich will stay rich and the poor get poorer unless something changes. Voting cannot make that change. Voting is a closed-ended question: A or B? If neither A nor B has your best interests in mind, to heck with it.
\*_Predicted via astrology. Yes, BlindTyger is one of those woo-woos._ 😛
---
### Author:  [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/2 "2015-02-14T20:37:40Z")
And I care about this - why exactly?
Regards,
Shodan
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/3 "2015-02-14T21:11:33Z")
> [@Shodan](#):
>
> And I care about this - why exactly?
Said every politician as soon as they read he doesn’t vote.
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### Author:  [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/4 "2015-02-14T21:13:35Z")
Sounds like he’s doing us all a favor by not voting. Now if only he would follow it up by not posting on our discussion board if he doesn’t actually want a discussion.
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### Author:  [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/5 "2015-02-14T21:25:23Z")
Why I Do Vote.
> [@BlindTyger](#):
>
> DISCLAIMER: If you have any strongly held religious beliefs or political loyalties, don’t read this. I don’t want to invoke anyone’s wrath. This is just venting.
>
> 1. Who can determine the lesser of two evils?
> Me, in the way that it affects \*\*\*me \*\*\*the most
>
> 2. Either way, taxes will still exist. I earned that money! (Yes, the people have the right to protest and petition against them…but for some reason, still haven’t)
> Yep, but I can have a little say, in how much, and how it is used.
>
> 3. The Republicans are close-minded, the Liberals aren’t liberal enough to stamp out the Republicans, and the other parties must be obscure and unpopular for a reason.
> That’s why I vote for the person, not the party.
>
> 4. If and when the US falls apart in 2022\*, will it really matter who’s running it?
> Quite possibly,… and that ,may be what keeps it from falling apart.
>
> 5. It has been noted that Christianity is “falling in popularity among developed countries” including this one. So why do the God-centered Republicans dominate the House/Senate currently?
> This is a question… not a reason… but maybe because I vote, and you don’t
>
> 6. It costs money to get a copy of one’s birth certificate to get an ID to get a voting license. And if that much is required just to vote, then it’s not worth the three-hour, $4.50 ride on public transportation.
> Nope, an ID is free if you NEED it to vote, and there are many groups that offer free rides to the polls, but I feel it is worth the few minutes it takes me to vote, I have voted for 35 years, and my longest wait was less than 30 minutes.
>
> 7. Over the past few years, it has become obvious that the rich will stay rich and the poor get poorer unless something changes. Voting cannot make that change. Voting is a closed-ended question: A or B? If neither A nor B has your best interests in mind, to heck with it.
>
> There are other issues that affect my life than the amount of money, I have or do not have.
>
> \*_Predicted via astrology. Yes, BlindTyger is one of those woo-woos._ 😛
Not that any of this matters to anyone else, but figured WTF, I might as well offer a view that is as worthless to the masses as yours.
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### Author:  [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/6 "2015-02-14T21:40:09Z")
> [@Shodan](#):
>
> And I care about this - why exactly?
>
> Regards,
> Shodan
Join date says a lot.
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### Author:  [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/7 "2015-02-14T21:42:06Z")
> [@BlindTyger](#):
>
> 1. Who can determine the lesser of two evils?
“Evil” does not exist. If you lack the ability to judge which of two or more candidates favors policies that are in your best interest and/or the interest of the community, then that’s your failing, not the system’s.
> [@](#):
>
> 1. Either way, taxes will still exist. I earned that money! (Yes, the people have the right to protest and petition against them…but for some reason, still haven’t)
And you live in a civilized society, with laws and regulations and systems in place to make sure those laws are enforced, as well as lots of other things that make it _possible_ for you to earn money in the first place - like safe paved roads and civic infrastructure and clean food and reliable access to medical care. You think all that stuff is free?
> [@](#):
>
> 1. The Republicans are close-minded, the Liberals aren’t liberal enough to stamp out the Republicans, and the other parties must be obscure and unpopular for a reason.
I’m unaware of the existence of a “Liberal” party.
> [@](#):
>
> 1. If and when the US falls apart in 2022\*, will it really matter who’s running it?
Not worthy of a response.
> [@](#):
>
> 1. It has been noted that Christianity is “falling in popularity among developed countries” including this one. So why do the God-centered Republicans dominate the House/Senate currently?
Because they get more votes. Gee, I wonder if that has anything to do with stuck-up “both parties are the same” slackers who don’t bother to exercise the franchise?
> [@](#):
>
> 1. It costs money to get a copy of one’s birth certificate to get an ID to get a voting license. And if that much is required just to vote, then it’s not worth the three-hour, $4.50 ride on public transportation.
I still have the birth certificate the hospital issued my parents when I was born and it didn’t cost me a penny. Moreover, if $4.50 (which won’t even buy you a large pizza these days) is too much to ask of you, then you’ve got no place to be pissing and moaning about how “God-centered Republicans” always end up winning.
> [@](#):
>
> 1. Over the past few years, it has become obvious that the rich will stay rich and the poor get poorer unless something changes. Voting cannot make that change.
Well, you _could_ try voting for the party that’s made income inequality a major part of their platform, instead of just sitting on the sidelines and complaining.
You can tell me one vote doesn’t make a difference.
But if everyone who doesn’t vote because one vote doesn’t make a difference were to vote, _their votes would make a difference._
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### Author:  [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2015, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/8 "2015-02-14T22:00:26Z")
1- Only one party is actively evil. Vote for the other one.
2- Taxes are the cover charge for living in civilization. You earned that money because of the social order and infrastructure that made it possible.
3- The liberals are liberal enough, but there are enough people that vote conservative to prevent meaningful progress.
4- Sorry, but the premise is false and astrology is hokum.
5- Sadly, Republicans are more reliable voters in each and every election, plus they turned lies about the ACA into local election victories in 2010, giving them the chance to gerrymander elections for the next decade.
6- Only one party is trying to make you jump through these hoops. If you give up without trying, they win.
7- Voting can make the change, but we have to vote the right way.
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### Author:  [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/9 "2015-02-14T22:14:42Z")
You are right. You should not vote.
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### Author:  [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/10 "2015-02-14T22:52:55Z")
I don’t vote because I think a photo ID is too much hassle.
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### Author:  [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2015, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/11 "2015-02-15T10:40:24Z")
I don’t vote as I’ve lived abroad too long. I’ve lost the right despite still being a citizen.
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### Author:  [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2015, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/12 "2015-02-15T14:34:52Z")
I stopped voting in U.S. elections because I decided it wasn’t ethical to vote for two different countries.
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### Author:  [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/13 "2015-02-15T14:47:30Z")
> [@BlindTyger](#):
>
> 1. If and when the US falls apart in 2022\*, will it really matter who’s running it?
As a rule, don’t _folks who believe the US will inevitably soon fall apart soon_ vote early and often to keep their guns? I certainly would, if I believed that.
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### Author:  [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/14 "2015-02-15T18:32:40Z")
> [@BlindTyger](#):
>
> DISCLAIMER: If you have any strongly held religious beliefs or political loyalties, don’t read this. I don’t want to invoke anyone’s wrath. This is just venting.
>
> 1. If and when the US falls apart in 2022\*, will it really matter who’s running it?
>
> \*_Predicted via astrology. Yes, BlindTyger is one of those woo-woos._ 😛
I was going to reply but then I reread and saw this. I guess you’re welcome to your beliefs but I guess I’m welcome to thank you for not voting based upon them.
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/15 "2015-02-15T19:44:03Z")
> [@Stringbean](#):
>
> I don’t vote because I think a photo ID is too much hassle.
“Mission accomplished!” – the GOP
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### Author:  [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/16 "2015-02-15T20:34:47Z")
Voting is a precious birthright of citizenship and a moral obligation in a democracy IMHO. Although I have never been one to say “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain” - you have that right regardless - I believe that everyone ought to stay informed and to vote. But of course you have the right to be an idiot - from the Greek _idiotes_, for one who did not participate in the political process - and not vote.
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### Author:  [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/17 "2015-02-15T21:29:43Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#):
>
> Voting is a precious birthright of citizenship and a moral obligation in a democracy IMHO. Although I have never been one to say “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain” - you have that right regardless - I believe that everyone ought to stay informed and to vote. But of course you have the right to be an idiot - from the Greek _idiotes_, for one who did not participate in the political process - and not vote.
Well, the Greeks did have a different idea of democracy than just showing up to vote every so often.
The rest of your post is spot on: if you like to vote, you do so because it makes you feel tingly. Either because of “doing your duty”, "participating in the political process"or so you can “keep complaining” without getting the voting thing thrown in your face. Hell, I vote because it gives me someone to root for when the results come in; it’s like an extra classic football game!. Just like fantasy football, it’s just more fun if you are somehow invested;).
These are all very valid considerations, but they do hinge on personal preferences and are not automatically more valuable than preferences that don’t value these societal duties as highly. Because there are costs (time, money) to voting. It only makes sense to vote if you get more in return for it (in whatever way that is).
I am sure I don’t have to say too much about your vote not mattering in the slightest when it comes to the actual results of the elections.
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### Author:  [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/18 "2015-02-15T21:31:18Z")
> [@polar\_bear](#):
>
> I am sure I don’t have to say too much about your vote not mattering in the slightest when it comes to the actual results of the elections.
The Republican party thanks you for your belief in your own insignificance.
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2015, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/19 "2015-02-15T22:33:57Z")
I’m confused at the OP. You title your thread “Why I Don’t Vote”, and then give seven very good reasons why voting is critical.
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### Author:  [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote/712664/20 "2015-02-16T00:21:43Z")
> [@polar\_bear](#):
>
> …there are costs (time, money) to voting. It only makes sense to vote if you get more in return for it (in whatever way that is)…
Is there no room for altruism, public service and the good of the community (define it as you will) in your worldview?
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