Bad Govenments are elected by those who don't vote PLEASE REGISTER TO VOTE AND USE IT

[GeekLove]

Says it all really,

4 days left and counting. Even if you THINK you're registered there are literally millions who have found out they aren't registered.

This is especially true for first-time voters, students, people with frequent changes of addresses.
Have you recently left a relationship for instance?

PLEASE CHECK YOU ARE REGISTERED!

www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Then remember to vote!

Don't be the turkey who voted for Christmas because they didn't vote!

[SeamstressfromTreacleMineRoad]

Couldn't agree more. Especially anyone under 30 - if necessary, harass your DC and remind them that it's their future that they're voting for..!

[harderandharder2breathe]

Agree! If more young people voted we might get policies that actually help young people and benefit the future

Why do you think pensioners are treated well by successive governments? Because a high proportion of them vote!

[NotAnotherUserName5]

I've received my poll card, does this mean I'm on the register to vote? Anyone know?

Oh and yanbu!

[luckylucky24]

Hmmm, I don't necessarily agree actually.

A friend of mine told me last week she hasn't registered and won't because she doesn't understand politics and the effect that certain policies would have on the country or her family.
Should she vote anyway? Even though she would just be voting whatever way her mum tells her to?

[Insomnibrat]

I am registered to vote and am quite evangelical about doing so although I feel SO torn and SO conflicted, this time that i'm seriously considering abstaining. I can't put my support behind parties I fundamentally disagree with on so many crucial points.

[EllieMentry]

You are not being unreasonable at all.

I'm also evangelical about voting and if I felt unable to vote for any of the options available, I would turn up and spoil my vote rather than not turning up at all.

[Blink1982]

Indeed.

[EnthusiasmIsDisturbed]

I always vote and think everyone should

But some people just can't be arsed and some abstain in this election I am tempted to or spoil my vote I don't feel comfortable with either so will end up voting o know many people are feeling the same this election

[Twooter]

I think that if you aren't bothered about voting, chances are you wont be bothered to study policies and implications of them, so actually I don't agree.

[GeekLove]

Less than two days now!

[MacarenaFerreiro]

It needs to be made clearer that you DON'T have to register separately for the General Election. If you voted in the mayoral or local elections in May, you're registered. We've already had our poll cards.

There were lots of conspiracy theorists at hte last General Election saying that people weren't turning out on the day because the publicity over "registering to vote" convinced them that it was some sort of separate process and that because they hadn't, they couldn't vote.

Not the case.

[HeyHoThereYouGo657]

NotAnotherUserName Yes it means you are eligible and on the voting register

I too have my polling card ready and waiting

[Fluffyears]

Some people have reasons of their own not to be registered. I am and will vote. A friend is terrified her abusive ex will dind her from voters roll. Yes you can go on some special one that stops your details being listed but she's still too scared.

[AnneTwacky]

Well said OP.

[GeekLove]

I can understand those who don't want to be traced if they are unsafe but that is not the majority of people who don't vote.
Ultimately a democracy will only work as well as the people who participate in it - and that means that it is your duty when living in a democracy to find a party who is most in line with the causes and interests you care about and to vote.

One and a half days now...

[Snap8TheCat]

Whilst it's decided in the manner it currently is, my vote won't count anyway. Depressing waste of time.

[Snap8TheCat]

Isn't it midnight tonight? So half a day really....

[GeekLove]

Registration via postal vote closes 17:00 TODAY!


You don't need a reason to register to postal vote.

[Beerwench]

I wasn't going to vote, I tried to educate myself on the main parties and what they stood for, ended up tying myself in knots, getting confused over what was spin, what was truth and what was mud slinging. The mud slinging made me uncomfortable, I didn't like the idea of voting for a party that spent time and money discrediting their opposition rather than trying to sort out which direction the country will the the best way forward.
Parents were labour, gp's were Tory, I was brought up by both so I had mixed views on it all.
I'm still undecided, but I have done a few of the independent quizzes that ask you what policies you agree with and then show you your political leanings.
I have got a clearer idea of what I want, and what I agree with.

[GeekLove]

PP, the crucial thing is that you are thinking of it and doing due diligence and research. If all else fails go with your gut instinct with respect to which party is the best fit for what your needs are.

We thank you for taking your time on this - there is so much spin. I would focus on ideas and issues - when the spin and name-calling begins I just glaze over.