To not vote today?

[teaandcake32]

Have you voted today and if so who did you vote for?

This is what you said in your original comment:

"It makes no difference at the moment as not enough people do it.
But just imagine if all the people who chose not to vote because they didn’t like any of the options spoiled their ballot? I honestly think it would make a difference."

So basically if thousands or perhaps millions of people spoilt their ballot papers it would make a difference? Could you explain what sort of difference and how that would work because it doesn't sound as if you know.

It's true that if enough people spoilt their ballot papers (which is effectively not voting) it would lead to political turmoil. In which case those "non voters" should have a Plan B because chaos would suit nobody (except perhaps a would be dictator waiting in the wings). You can't expect to bring about the downfall of the country's governance and then do nothing about it.

Of course you should vote or if you don't then don't complain again about anything in your local are as you've lost that right

Not sure where this idea that people can't complain about how the country is being run if they don't vote is coming from. Of course they can. Surely they have more right to complain than someone who votes for a winning candidate who then goes on to be disastrous.

In any case, if people aren't voting it's a failure of the candidates standing, not a failure of the electorate.

If I've got a chance to very marginally affect a decision on whether I'm sent to the guillotine or sent to the firing squad, I probably won't bother. But I'm bloody well going to complain about the fact that I'm being executed.

I have had a postal vote for years and years so they come by default. I have voted in the past.

I haven't voted.

We only have PCC elections, not local elections. I emailed the 4 candidates to ask their views on single sex spaces.

I liked the reply from the Tory candidate but couldn't bring myself to vote Conservative.

The other 3 didn't bother to reply and I know that one of them is very dismissive of any women who express concerns.

I'm in my 50s and this is the first time that I haven't voted since I was 18. I feel politically homeless.

I haven't. As I did t realise it was today. And I had a funeral to go too. That has taken over everything else in my head. Since my city voted to reject an elected mayor a few years ago. I don't know why we are having one forced on us now.

Bit of an exaggeration to say it would entirely overthrow the government. All I meant was it would make it very clear that large members of the public don’t agree with certain policies or maybe the candidate standing. That would allow them to amend anything they’d like.
I don’t see why people who don’t want any of the options shouldn’t be able to voice their opinion. It’s no more valid than anyone elses and deserves to be taken into account. It seems you’d rather they be silenced.

I will not be voting today.

I do not support any of the local candidates

I really wanted to vote for Count Binface for mayor, but alas had a fit of Sensible at the last minute.
Not saying who I did vote for, though.

Why does nobody talk about the fact that LESS THAN 100 YEARS ago, WOMEN IN ENGLAND COULD NOT VOTE

Yes of course you should vote, we should all be active in exercising our rights. If you don’t know what the political parties stand for (the shittiest ever excuse for not voting, from my SIL), I think it’s your duty as a woman and an adult and a citizen and a human being to educate yourself.

If you can’t make it that day, fine. But do your bit. It matters.

About the same as you did starting this thread then.

I totally disagree with you. You have zero right to complain if you don't partake.
Honestly posts like yours make me boil with rage.
Spoil your ballot, protest, become an MP and make change from the inside. But apathy (or 'I don't like anyone so I'll do nothing blah blah blah') is thick and lazy.

It’s only the police commissioner vote today which always has a piss poor turnout. To achieve anything above 35% is a miracle.

Have voted in every election since turning 18, bar two. The 2005 GE as moved 15 miles away 3 weeks before and was away on helping a new call centre with training new staff 220 miles away. Only knew of this the day after the cut off date for postal voting.

Then the last EU election as thinking to myself what’s the point of voting for politicians to sit for just 7 months before Brexit.

Women’s equality Party, they have by far the best chance of getting out the Tory counsellor that has been in for what seems like forever - obviously I agree with their mandate too

So who do I vote for?

I cannot in good conscience vote for ANY of the options presented to me and we do not have a "none of the above".

I have therefore made a considered decision not to do so which is my absolute right despite your screaming capitals.

We were just voting for a mayor round here, so picked the only woman on the list. I am sure she will be just as good/bad as any of the male candidates.

We all voted in my house. London. I voted LibDem, DH for Count Binface and DS for Sadiq.

I didn't vote either. Unreasonable or not. 🤢

I just got back from voting, had to cast 3 votes today. But like most others have said, I shall keep my lips sealed 😁

There do seem to have been a lot of people voting for Count Binface! I wonder if he will beat any of the candidates from the main parties 😆😆

Didn't know there was an election today.

I wasn't allowed to vote. I applied for my voter ID card over a month ago. Apparent I was emailed to inform me the photo wasn't accepted. Yet I never received the email. I chased it up and was told I'd missed the deadline to apply.

When one of the party reps knocked on my door earlier he said I wasn't the only one who had said this had happened.

Women haven't been able to vote in the UK for much more than 100 years, so for this reason I would never not vote. Seems disrespectful to the women of history who wanted it so badly. I agree I wasn't very inspired by any of the parties or candidates, though!

You can always spoil your ballot as a protest vote.

@Elphame you should have spoiled your ballot. Not voting at all is unbelievably apathetic. It's not too late - go to your polling station and draw a big Willy on the paper if you must. Just vote.