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Original poster

Help! Son is refusing to vote

106 replies

Onenightonlyplease · 12/12/2019 17:21

Quick - I need persuasive arguments to get my 19yr old son to vote. He's on his way home and when I reminded him he needed to vote when he got back he's point blank refusing.
I don't want to get into an argument over text with him and he is beyond stubborn so I need help to persuade/force him to vote tonight when he gets home!!!

OP posts:
Batshittery · 12/12/2019 17:36

He doesn't need a 'good enough reason' not to vote. It's a choice. His, not yours.

muddledmidget · 12/12/2019 17:37

If he's on twitter, get him to look at #youthquake and see the possibility that his vote and those of his generation really could change the expected outcome (and anyone else who's despairing of another tory government, its worth a look for a glimmer of hope)

heartsonacake · 12/12/2019 17:41

Voting is not, and should not, be compulsory, and people are well within their rights to choose not to do so if they wish, for whatever reason they wish.

You are forcing your political preferences on your son right now by trying to force him to vote. Back off. He doesn’t want to, the reason why is irrelevant.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

19 years old
virginpinkmartini · 12/12/2019 17:41

'Not a good enough reason'

And who are you to decide what constitues a good enough reason for someone else to not vote? It's a personal thing. Any reason is a valid reason, back off.

LynetteScavo · 12/12/2019 17:43

I think the time to educate him on the importance of voting was in the past 12 years.

OldEvilOwl · 12/12/2019 17:46

Leave him alone. He obviously hasn't done any research on who to vote for, so its probably better he doesn't vote anyway!

tiredsleepysleep · 12/12/2019 17:46

You can't force him.

However for the next 5 years, every time he moans about anything such as nhs service/ police service/ any service provided by local council you can be that annoying voice in his ear reminding him he can't moan if he didn't vote.

CharlotteMD · 12/12/2019 17:50

If he's not on the electoral register then he can't vote but tell him people died so he could.

HollowTalk · 12/12/2019 17:51

He'd probably vote the opposite to you and you'd be kicking yourself.

If he is unaware of your political views then he obviously hasn't been brought up to think about things like that.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 12/12/2019 17:53

Bloody hell. Maybe you should march him there and point where he should put the cross.

We have the right to vote, or not vote. I voted this time. I don't always.

iklboodolphrednosedreindeer · 12/12/2019 17:54

It's his democratic right not to vote if he doesn't want to. You might it agree, but it's his decision.

ChristmasSpirtsOnTheRocksPleas · 12/12/2019 17:55

You really need to leave him alone. No one has to vote if they don’t want to. I lived in a country where voting was mandatory. I rather resented it.

SheOfManyNames · 12/12/2019 17:55

You reminded him. He is an adult. Leave it at that.

heartsonacake · 12/12/2019 17:55

but tell him people died so he could.

CharlotteMD People died so others had the right to vote. Whether they choose to exercise that right is up to them.

Parker231 · 12/12/2019 17:56

You can’t force him to vote. My DT’s are old enough to vote for the first time - I’ve no idea who or if they have voted.

Original poster
Onenightonlyplease · 12/12/2019 18:04

So firstly he has registered to vote.
Secondly whilst I've never forced my political views on my children we do discuss policies, governments etc and always have done.
Thirdly, as I've already said, I'm not telling him who to vote for and don't want to know.
My disappointment is that he'd rather have an extra 15 minutes on his Xbox than vote for the next government that will run this country for the next 4-5 years, especially when he is usually so vocal and opinionated on politics.
So yes, when he moans in the future, I can point out that he chose not to have his say but that's a bit like bolting the door after the horse has bolted.

OP posts:
Goldenchildsmum · 12/12/2019 18:06

My disappointment is that he'd rather have an extra 15 minutes on his Xbox than vote for the next government that will run this country for the next 4-5 years, especially when he is usually so vocal and opinionated on politics.

I agree with you OP. He should vote. You can't make him but imo he is wrong not to vote or spoil his paper

Lightsabre · 12/12/2019 18:07

I'd be very disappointed too. Can you send him links to #Youthquake?

00100001 · 12/12/2019 18:08

Well, he's an adult making a choice.

Just remind him of the choice when he moans about taxes or the NHS or Brexit or the roads.. or whatever.

VictoriaBun · 12/12/2019 18:10

Whilst it's obviously his choice whether he votes or not.
I do think it should be made law that everyone over 18 years uses the vote they are given , even if they choose to spoil it .
I know at least 3 people that are not making the effort.

Sherrybabyy · 12/12/2019 18:13

YABU. Massively! People shouldn’t be forced to vote

Pinkblueberry · 12/12/2019 18:14

However I believe that voting is a right and a responsibility.

A right, yes. A responsibility, no. A choice, very much so.

Fishlegs · 12/12/2019 18:17

Sit him down to watch Peterloo tonight? I always drag my smalls with me to vote, telling them the story of the Suffragettes along the way. They love it....

FemaleActually · 12/12/2019 18:17

Ideally he'd vote but you can't force him and I wouldn't row with him over his choice. If he starts twisting on down the line about not being happy with the government I'd tell him he had his chance to have his say but chose a video game instead.

I'd prefer everyone to vote but i don't agree it should be made law that you have to vote. I don't think choosing not to vote should be a punishable crime.

backaftera2yearbreak · 12/12/2019 18:19

WiFi off till he does it?

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