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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that if you believe in democracy, then you believe in the right to abstain from voting?

72 replies

CrystalHaze · 07/05/2015 13:03

Sick of the sodding sight of smug, self-righteous 'I've voted, you MUST vote too' posts on social media.

If you believe in democracy, then surely you have to accept that some people will not vote and will not care that they didn't vote, and that people whose decision to vote or not was swung by a facebook post are probably people who haven't applied a great deal of critical thought to their choice?

Or is there the remotest chance that there are people out there who haven't spotted that there's an election today, or who somehow 'forgot' and need to be reminded via facebook?

[And yes, I did vote. I didn't need to be 'told' to do it either. Managed to make that decision all by myself, but thanks for the billion reminders, facebook activists]

OP posts:
Hoplikeabunny · 07/05/2015 13:08

I totally agree. I am sick of the social media activists, it has been going on for weeks!

I haven't voted and won't be voting today. Why do people assume that I haven't made an informed choice, just as they have?!

DoraGora · 07/05/2015 13:08

I think people in their twenties are responsible enough to vote (or spoil). I wouldn't waste time trying to round up teenagers, no. Lots of teens are very responsible and informed already and would be keen to go.

Do I believe that an adult can make an informed decision to skive off voting altogether, no, not really. But, there is an issue about hating our political system and wanting nothing to do with it. How people (and I'm one) deal with that loathing is another issue altogether.

wasabipeanut · 07/05/2015 13:09

I do see your point and it's why I'm not in favour of compulsory voting. However some people (including me) feel very strongly that seeing as universal suffrage is less than 100 years old in this country it's a good idea not to take it for granted. It's not just about women - it's about everybody other than the landed gentry having a vote.

People also probably feel it's an antidote to the sort of twattery spouted by Russell Brand and the like.

Maybe just avoid Facebook?

wanttosqueezeyou · 07/05/2015 13:10

Totally agree.

And I will be voting later.

QueenB14 · 07/05/2015 13:11

I agree. I did vote today but generally believe that just because you have a voice, doesn't mean you HAVE to use it.

The polling card is not a summons

Hoplikeabunny · 07/05/2015 13:13

Do I believe that an adult can make an informed decision to skive off voting altogether, no, not really

I am absolutely not skiving. I have 100% made an informed decision, and I am exercising my right not to vote. If the party I want to vote for actually had a candidate in my area, or there was a 'none of the above' option, then I would have, but as it stands, neither of these are options.

DoraGora · 07/05/2015 13:16

Hopefully there will be enormous political angst when the non result of this election comes in. If that happens I'll be pushing/campaigning for a proper none of the above option, where something political happens when the majority of a constituency votes for NOA.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 07/05/2015 13:19

I tend to think that if you have carefully considered all your options and there is no-one you wish to vote for then you should turn up and spoil your ballot. This shows that you can be arsed, but the politicians are crap. Not turning up just looks like you cant be arsed.

Spoilt ballots are tallied and the number announced.

Original poster
CrystalHaze · 07/05/2015 13:19

I feel very strongly about suffrage and the right to vote too, Wasabi ~ yet I'm still bemused by the people who don't see the paradox in being pro-democracy and yet not batting an eyelid at telling people what they must or must not do in relation to their democratic voting rights.

And even though I am doing my best to avoid facebook, I'm getting TEXTS from people checking whether I've voted or not!

OP posts:
StellaAlpina · 07/05/2015 13:20

I quite like all the facebook activism on my newsfeed :)
I don't think it's particularily going to change anyone's mind but I like to see that my friends are politically engaged (especially seeing as they are 'young voters') and I like the funny clips/jokes that people post, plus there's even a poem.

Original poster
CrystalHaze · 07/05/2015 13:22

But some people genuinely can't be arsed, ItsAllGoingToBeFine, and that's their democratic right (though of course they then negate their right to complain about the outcome and any subsequent events).

OP posts:
Golferman · 07/05/2015 13:22

I'm pissed off as had to come to Germany at short notice this week so couldn't do postal or proxy vote.

BreconBeBuggered · 07/05/2015 13:22

I don't have to believe that people are correct to abstain, but they do have the right. I don't have to approve of it.

However, I take your point about the nagging. Current frontrunners for the most annoying lectures in my Twitter feed are a pair of first-time voters; one a student who keeps reminding us all about female suffrage, and the other a middle-aged convert to voting who won't stop exhorting everyone to stop voting Conservative. I don't disagree with either of them. It's the hectoring I-know-best tone that's pissing me off. I haven't missed a vote in thirty years. Get out of my face.

I'm seriously considering spoiling my paper on my council election vote. 'None of the above' doesn't quite convey the message I want to deliver.

wasabipeanut · 07/05/2015 13:24

I think texting people is probably taking things a little far. It reminds me of all those earnest Guardian readers sending letters to American voters telling them not to vote for George Bush. I'm fairly sure it has the opposite effect to the one intended.

TedAndLola · 07/05/2015 13:25

I believe in our RIGHT to abstain from voting but that doesn't mean I think it's an intelligent or correct thing to do.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 07/05/2015 13:27

Sorry, yes, I know some people can't be arsed at all, and that's fine and that is their right. I was saying that more in reference to the PP who said they didn't vote because there is no-one to vote for.

tabulahrasa · 07/05/2015 13:28

"But some people genuinely can't be arsed, ItsAllGoingToBeFine, and that's their democratic right (though of course they then negate their right to complain about the outcome and any subsequent events)."

There are two people on my Facebook saying they never vote...the thing that's annoying is that they're also the ones constantly moaning about how systems directly affected by policy works.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 07/05/2015 13:28

I'm pissed off as had to come to Germany at short notice this week so couldn't do postal or proxy vote.

You could have got an emergency proxy. You may still be able to (where I stay deadline is 5pm). Ring your ERO and see

merrymouse · 07/05/2015 13:29

You can abstain from voting by spoiling your paper.

If you just don't turn up you aren't abstaining, you're not bothering.

Hakluyt · 07/05/2015 13:31

"I haven't voted and won't be voting today. Why do people assume that I haven't made an informed choice, just as they have?!"

Because not voting in our current system is not an informed choice.It is not an abstention, it makes no difference, sends no message, and is an insult to the people who fought for the universal franchise.

DoraGora · 07/05/2015 13:32

There are two people on my Facebook saying they never vote...the thing that's annoying is that they're also the ones constantly moaning about how systems directly affected by policy works.

They're not unrelated. If you're disenfranchised or dissatisfied you're far less likely to vote. That's why I want a positive outcome for lots of people who genuinely think the system stinks. They could vote Monster Raving, right now, well, some of them.

ilovemargaretatwood8931 · 07/05/2015 13:32

Definitely agree.

Have voted myself though.

However, I don't mind people banging on about it on social media at all, part of the same democracy.

If voting was ever made compulsory, I could only possibly get tolerate that if there was a 'none of the above' box to tick.

I agree with wasabi too. Voting is a precious and hard won right. Still shouldn't be compulsory though.

misssmilla1 · 07/05/2015 13:32

if you don't want to vote, you should go and spoil your ballot paper instead. It's less than 90 years ago that every woman over the age of 21 in the UK were given the right to vote. That for me is a reason to turn up in itself.

Original poster
CrystalHaze · 07/05/2015 13:34

How is not turning up not the same as abstaining? It's actively exercising your democratic right not to participate in the proceedings.

True, some may not turn up because they can't be arsed, but others may choose not to attend a polling station because they have consciously decided not to do so, whether others agree with their actions or not?

OP posts:
Kewcumber · 07/05/2015 13:37

I don't have to believe that people are correct to abstain, but they do have the right. I don't have to approve of it.

^ this.

And don't whinge for the next 5 years about the results.

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