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Do you vote?

19 replies

annandale · 18/04/2017 20:57

I won't deny, I'm a hardcore voter and I have never understood why people don't vote. I have spoiled a ballot paper before and really enjoyed doing it - to me, that counts.

What would make you consider voting if you don't usually, or don't want to this time? If you don't usually, why?

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RortyCrankle · 19/04/2017 09:13

I agree and have voted in every single election over the past fifty years. It would never occur to me to not vote and if people choose not to, then they have no business complaining about the outcome.

hiveofactivity · 19/04/2017 10:12

Always. And tactically for the overall good (which sometimes involves swallowing dislike of a particular MP). There's little point in a protest vote against an individual if it helps secure a government you hate even more.

I think there should be a required minimum turnout for an election before the result can be declared valid.
And an option to vote 'None of the Above' (rather than spoil your ballot paper). If NOTA receives more than 20% of the vote then the parties should propose changes to their manifesto and re-run the election until they can secure a reasonable majority.

redshoeblueshoe · 19/04/2017 11:37

hive I really like that idea. I have always lived in safe seats so I have always felt my vote never counted. I have always voted, but I maybe away this time round and I wouldn't bother to get a postal vote.

Madbengalmum · 19/04/2017 11:37

Always

slug · 19/04/2017 12:15

Always.

Women died so I could vote. I honour them every time I put a cross in the box.

Bringmesunshite · 19/04/2017 12:22

Always. What slug said.

I have also spoiled my paper. As I once said to a lifelong "not voter" - imagine if we all put "You are a shower of bastards" on our ballot instead of voting- they'd have to notice that.

ForalltheSaints · 26/04/2017 19:29

Always. Democracy is better than the alternatives. Sometimes selecting the least hated of the candidates, but always nevertheless.

I also feel I can criticise the government if I have taken part.

user1471453601 · 26/04/2017 19:37

My daughter is a politics graduate and will not vote, and she's in her 40s. I got her to vote in the referendum, but she is adamant she will never vote again. Her view is that democracy, as we view it, is a fallacy and has rarely elected the government that the popular vote has elected. It's hard to argue with her, given the American election

Asmoto · 26/04/2017 19:41

I always vote, for the reasons Slug said. I would respect someone abstaining for carefully thought out reasons, as in user1471's example, but people who just can't be bothered (and then complain) annoy me immensely.

AlwaysTheWinner · 26/04/2017 19:44

I always vote. It's so important. My family is quite political so they all vote too, but I never know what to say to friends and colleagues who tell me they aren't going to bother. I'd like to encourage them without sounding patronising or earnest. It would be good if voting was compulsory like it is in Australia.

lessworriedaboutthecat · 02/05/2017 10:47

I have visited a polling station in every election I have been eligible to do so. I must admit I spoiled my ballot paper in the last Scottish Parliament elections by writing what I thought of each Party and why I wouldn't vote for them. For example for the Conservatives "I remember the 80's" Labour "Tony Blair and Iraq" UKIP "Loving the nationalism now please add some socialism" and the SNP "would turn us into a hideous cross between Greece and Sweden" .

YokoReturns · 02/05/2017 11:17

Yes. Always.

My PILs don't. I think that this removes their right to express an opinion. MIL also reads the Daily Mail in Sainsburys, so maybe it's a good thing they don't vote.

lessworriedaboutthecat · 02/05/2017 18:25

If you don't vote then you cant complain about the result

lessworriedaboutthecat · 02/05/2017 18:26

"reads the Daily Mail in Sainsburys" I sometimes have a bit of a read of the papers in the Supermarket

BlondieJ · 26/05/2017 12:30

I will always vote even if it meant spoiling the ballot, I like the idea of NOTA.
Like @slug said, women died and went through a lot to gain the vote for women, I honour them, as well as many women around the world who STILL do not get to vote even now!

Hulababy · 27/05/2017 16:13

Yes always. I have already voted for the coming GE, as has dh.

user1480459555 · 04/06/2017 10:23

Yes I have always voted and think it is important to do so.

This time I have no idea who I want to vote for. I just don't believe or trust any of them. I am worried about the NHS, about crime, about the terrorist attacks and police cuts and which party is honestly going to sort these things out?

I am seriously thinking of spoiling my paper

SquedgieBeckenheim · 04/06/2017 10:29

I always vote, and think it should be compulsory. I'll vote in this election even though I don't really agree with any party! My main concern is the NHS and I don't feel it is safe with any of the political parties currently.

Hulababy · 04/06/2017 10:57

Yes I always vote. I voted in this year's GE almost two weeks ago now as have postal votes.

TBH I don't really follow politics, it often doesn't interest me. I never talk about it and don't disclose any of my thoughts on it much. But i do vote - I do some research beforehand and see who to will vote for that way.

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