To ask why some people don't vote

[LyraTheDaemon]

I'm naive to the whole thing! I completely understand it's their democratic right to not vote just as it is to vote but I'm baffled as to why you wouldn't.

I work with someone who is overall a nice person but is extremely naive & lives in a bit of a bubble. For context, we work in the NHS & she has 2 children, so imo the policies being discussed by all parties will have an impact on her, but she just doesn't care! We've all mentioned to her how important it is but she says she doesn't know or care enough to go. It also transpired she's not even registered to vote so we all gave up trying to convince her.

Without a slanging match, if you don't vote, why? Why not spoil the ballot instead? Obviously this isn't aimed at people that can't vote, it's for those who can but choose not to.

FoxSticks
I understand that spoilt papers are recorded, it just doesn't seem a worthwhile thing to do. Can people seriously not choose the party that most closely fits their views? Seems as lazy as not voting at a to me.

FFS get a grip.

If you don't vote, you lose your right to criticise, in my view.

^^This!

Reasons to vote, even if you're in a super safe seat.

1. All votes are counted access the country for each party, this translates to the amount of publicity that party gets in future.
2. Your vote might help a small party get their deposit back. Many parties don't have much money, apart from the Tories, they're loaded.
3. During the count the returning officer will periodically call all the candidates (or their representative) over to look through all the spoilt ballots, they all have to agree, it's a spoilt paper, not a vote. So, if you write 'twat' next to a particular candidate, they'll get to see it, so, worth the trip to the polling station imo.
4. Your vote sends a message even if the winning party ignores it and it make the seat not quite so safe.
5. You get some exercise walking to the polling station.

I met somebody today who said he didn't vote because he was a 'Freeman of the Land' I thought he was nuts. His mate said he didn't vote because the election was fixed.

I have always voted, but have always lived in a very safe Tory seat before.

Now I still live in a conservative seat, but it is slightly more marginal (but Tory candidate still won by over 3,000 votes last time, so I won't be holding my breath.)

This is the first time that I am planning to vote tactically to try and oust the conservative candidate - I have always voted for my favourite party before.

I am not that happy about voting tactically, actually. It was a difficult decision to come to. I can understand people not voting if they just can't make their mind up. I'm ending up not voting for the party whose policies I believe in the most, and voting for one that has some policies I am unsure about, because it seems like the best way to effect some sort of change.

I can understand why in some cases. Friends of mine wanted to vote greens but couldn't as they don't have a candidate in our area. They felt they couldn't morally put their name against any other party due to issues with nuclear power. I think this is a well thought out and reasonable reason to not vote.

Why don't you want to be on the electoral register, ems137 ?

Actually the only time I haven't voted is the Police Commissioner election because I don't agree with the post. I didn't want to spoil my paper because I would then be included in the turnout and the government would argue a high turnout was a endorsement of the role.

fakename

I love reasons 2 & 3, but 3 especially. I've never really understood the "spoilt ballot" thing but this is a jolly good explanation, thanks!

3. During the count the returning officer will periodically call all the candidates (or their representative) over to look through all the spoilt ballots, they all have to agree, it's a spoilt paper, not a vote. So, if you write 'twat' next to a particular candidate, they'll get to see it, so, worth the trip to the polling station imo.

I'm seriously considering not voting this year.

I just think it's all bullshit. I don't think any of the parties are capable of delivering most of what they claim and whoever wins the country will plod along as it does now with little or no change to anyone I know.

I'd rather not vote than take an uneducated random stab in the dark. And yes it would be uneducated because this time I've failed to separate fact from fiction, scaremongering and mud-slinging.

Some people are too stupid to vote. They live in a reality TV bubble and know all about the Kardashians but don't know who Theresa May is. When you have people so shallow and so uninformed about issues I'd rather they didn't vote, to be honest.

Also considering not voting ... 1st time for me to ever feel like this .

I think therell be a lower turnout than usual for this one.

I don't vote for religious reasons.

*I think that none of the candidates are credible.

There is no actual truth out there, it's all a spin.

So I'll save myself the journey and let the hive mind decide.*

I agree, and I am well educated in politics and do take an interest and keep up to date. That's why I don't vote -- it's a farce! None of my friends vote either so thankfully no one treats me with disrespect.

I can understand not voting because you don't feel informed enough to make a decision (although it infuriates me!), but I can't understand not spoiling your paper.

As described upthread, spoilt papers still get counted - it's not a waste of time.

OK I'll bite...what religion prevents a person from voting? Sounds like someone's twisted interpretation rather than a teaching.

To those who are saying they aren't going to vote - I wouldn't dream of attacking someone for this reason and think this is your democratic right. I think it is far, far worse to vote for a party for the wrong reasons than it is to not vote at all.
I am voting, by the way. Labour for me this time.

I would expect someone working for the NHS to adhere to the law - it is against the law not to be registered to vote. Is she a registered professional?

I will be voting. Used to live in a safe seat. It wasnt worth my time voting then. I always did but I can see why people wouldnt. Now in a marginal. Too right I'll be there. It's very important to me to vote but dh and dc are not voting. They are just not that engaged with it. I have no problem with this. People might choose not to vote for all sorts of reasons. I think the right not to vote iif you dont want to is just as important as the right to vote.

That said agree with pp dh and dc better not moan for the next 5 years

My mum is a Jehovah's Witness. She doesn't vote because part of their religion is being politically neutral. None of them will be voting tomorrow.

@Calzone interested to hear your religious reasons if they are different to my mums, as have never heard of a religious group who don't vote other than the dubs. Obviously fine if you don't wish to share!

Dingalingalingaling She's admin. I wasn't aware it was the law

My dad, who lives in a European country, was entitled to vote in Brexit but didnt even though it potentially affects him more than most. I think he's an idiot and actually lost some respect for him over it. Why would you choose not to vote in something you have an opinion on and that directly affects you?

I agree that if you don't vote you lose the right to complain about the result

And if you vote Tories then you lose the right to complain when your child's school is underfunded or you suddenly have a change of circumstances and need to claim benefits and realise how shit it is

My neighbor never votes unless, "Its a nice day out for a trip".

I'm a Jehovah's Witness too so stay neutral in politics.

Just heard that Christadelphians don't vote either.