Anybody else not voting again?

[RomanyQueen1]

Just that, is anybody not voting and didn't vote last time?

Voting is compulsory here in Australia with a fine if you don't. I do agree with that even though at the federal election last weekend I was equally unimpressed with all the candidates so really had to research to make a decision.

It used to drive me nuts when I lived in England that so many people would be so vocal about politics then cheerfully admit to not voting because it didn't make a difference/it was their right not to/ they couldn't be bothered etc. If you are happy to never express a political opinion in public again then don't vote but most people aren't able to keep their mouths shut that long.

I spoiled my ballot at the last election. I was happier doing that than not voting- we only had a choice between Tories and ex Tories calling themselves independent.

For god’s sake this isn’t any old election!

It’s a second referendum by proxy and could alter the course of history!
It’s also unlike the local and general elections in the way the seats are won, because it matters who comes 2nd and 3rd, Rather than being a case of “first past the post”.

I have a highly intelligent/Phd level educated friend who didn't vote in the 2016 referendum. He did enormous amounts of research, loads more the just about everyone else I know. His conclusion after this was that it was far too complicated a decision for somebody without expert knowledge and should never have been put to a public vote.

Oh, he now wishes he'd voted Remain and that Remain had won instead of this Brexit hell we've all been taken down. He can only see things getting worse whatever route the country takes now, we have no good options or outcomes.

his conclusion after this was that it was far too complicated a decision for somebody without expert knowledge and should never have been put to a public vote.

I absolutely agree with your friend, however we are where we are and I think it’s vitally important that everyone has their say now, especially to counter those who are voting without having done any research or given it any thought whatsoever.

Heartily agree Sunset.

Thursday's vote will be a sort of 2nd referendum on Brexit.
However they feel about it, I can't understand any halfway intelligent person not voting.

It won't be seen as a silent protest - just that you CBA.

A lot of people here in NI experience mayor voter apathy. Because of our system we vote and still end up with the same two parties who hate each other and won't work together, we have had no functioning government for over two years. I will vote from now on though. I feel like I have to use it to make my displeasure clear or at least go in and spoil my vote so that it cannot be used in a way I don't want.

Excellent post by Tavannach

Yep

Of course I'm voting.

If you don't know or care about Brexit, at least vote green for the poor old planet!

If you don't want to vote for a particular party, then spoil your ballot paper. Don't be fucking lazy by just not bothering to do anything.

I'm voting - as a woman I would never not vote. My 3 DD's who are not political will be voting too. My youngest has just turned 18 and we will go along tomorrow and vote together.

Surely it's your responsibility to vote.

I don't believe in all what is happening, people can say ,they do not have an opinion on it, it baffles me that someone can genuinely not care what happens to their country and the future for their children.

I also think the "silent vote" to make a stance or a point is falling off deaf ears. Surely even if you don't trust politicians (who bloody does after the recent shambles) and have no overriding urge to vote for a party. Even if it's the closest to your opinion at least let it be heard.

I also believe if you do not vote you have no right to moan about the way the country is run.

onalongsabbatical
I think voting should be compulsory. It is in Australia.

Only if we get a NOTA box.

@YouBumder

Spoiling a ballot paper deliberately is stupid, pointless, and meaningless.

How else are you supposed to show that you show that you support None Of The Above.

Spoiling a ballot paper deliberately is stupid, pointless, and meaningless

Deliberately not voting is stupid.

Spoiling my ballot when I have no option to say NOTA is the closest I get to exercising my right.

Couldn't agree more. The one time there wasn't a candidate I could vote for, I spoiled my ballot paper. Not stupid, pointless or meaningless. I wrote on it exactly why too.

Deliberately not voting by lots of people eligible to vote is potentially a contributory reason we are in the mess we're in now.

No I won’t be voting.
Millions of people voted for brexit and are being ignored, so voting means nothing in the country anymore.

Millions of people voted for brexit and are being ignored

This is a complete lie.

The wheels are well in motion for a Brexit.

The issue is that, funnily enough, we still have yet to decide on how we deal with the EU post Brexit because the world cannot pause in that time.

People still have to travel to/from the EU, medicines need moving, we will still trade with them.

this is a complete lie

I agree

Being ignored my arse!

I'd be willing to bet that many of those who say they won't be voting are leave voters who thought that the EU was undemocratic and unelected. They do not like being proven wrong.

Of course I will be voting. I will do so on the way home from work. Either Greens or LibDem for me I think, as they have been consistently anti-Brexshit.

I'm voting even though after Brexit it seems like whatever the public vote they just do what they want!

I contemplated not voting, but then I always vote.

Utterly politically homeless though, so absolutely no idea what to do.