I've abstained, have you?

[TooMuchMNTime]

I went through my dithers here
I've opted to abstain

obviously I will just accept the result without comment!

Just curious to know if others have abstained?

No, I think you are right on this thread - I'm just involved with things where an abstain is a very active vote (and sometimes people are required to abstain). I'll have to be careful to remember to say I spoiled it I don't want people to think I didn't vote!

OP I voted to remain I'm glad you abstained if you were an outer

I've already said on another thread that on such an important day I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would decide to do......nothing!

No, of course not.

Women fought hard for my right to vote and I wouldn't dishonour them by not using it. Spoil your paper if you must but don't abstain completely.

I have! Kind of

Not because i don't care but because I'm so confused and can't decide either way so have marked a huge X (in pen for those who believe it could be changed) across the whole thing meaning i don't know what would be best

Abstain???

Absolute cop out

If you can't decide, vote REMAIN. Then the issue can be revisited in the future. Whereas to leave is to close the door, lock it and throw away the key. There is no return

My DH may abstain. He sees both sides.

have marked a huge X (in pen for those who believe it could be changed) across the whole thing meaning i don't know what would be best

No, what that means is that you intentionally spoiled your ballot paper, reason unknown.

My step-mother is abstaining, because she says she doesn't have an opinion. She is pretty stupid, so I can believe it. But it still makes me cross when people choose not to vote. In a democracy it is your RIGHT, but its also your DUTY. People always seem to remember their rights, less so their duties. Please engage with the democratic process and remember how lucky you are to have the rights you do. Remember too that with privilege comes responsibility.

I have voted and after much deliberation chose remain, but I don't think abstaining is necessarily a cop out. In fact it would be a lot better if the millions who have not done any research and don't understand the issue did not vote. I thought about not voting myself because while it is stupid on one level not to vote, it is also stupid to give a vote to one side when you are not sure or informed just for the sake of it. Also, a vote for remain is not a vote for the status quo, after the renegotiation attempt and a remain vote, our position is changed. The status quo is not on the ballot paper.

Go with your initial instinct - mumsnet always going on about trusting your instincts!
Vote Brexit!

Your dh can see both sides?

Well, good for him! We all can see both sides. Most people can see that there are benefits and disadvantages to both. But we then use our brains to make a decision. To just say 'I can see both sides so I won't vote'
is pretty much admitting you have half a brain

Justo be clear I do think we all have a duty to try and inform ourselves and to vote, but just that sometimes there are circumstances where at the last minute there are reasons to not vote, but yes, at least spoil your paper.

while it is stupid on one level not to vote, it is also stupid to give a vote to one side when you are not sure or informed just for the sake of it.

Where the choice is between two, and a voter still can't decide, they should use their ballot paper to make that point. That way their view will be counted!

*I would say I abstained because I wrote 'abstain' on my paper.

I didn't realise people said they'd abstained when they just didn't turn up...*

^^ This

You should be ashamed of yourself, I've voted out but would rather people vote in than not vote at all

Nice to meet you too, judgemental blowhard!

Fuck no - never!

I can't imagine being so vacuous as to not have an opinion.

i can totally understand not voting if you are on the fence. I voted a couple of hours ago tho.

spoiling the ballot paper is just as bad as not voting at all - although I suppose it saves you a journey to the polling station if you just don't vote.
if you like the status quo and are prepared to put up with the consequences vote 'remain' but at least vote.
obviously I hope everyone with any sense of what is important will vote 'leave'!

What's the point in spoiling a paper in comparison to abstaining ?

Genuine question

If people are on the fence they should indicate that on their ballot paper. A high number of spoiled votes would send a message. A low turnout would just be attributed to the weather.

Where the choice is between two, and a voter still can't decide, they should use their ballot paper to make that point. That way their view will be counted!
ridiculous - so write 'abstain' on the ballot paper and out of all the millions of votes someone will count their non-vote as meaning anything
It will go into the 'does not count' pile whether you write 'abstain' , a big X , a rude message or check both boxes!