How does one relay the importance of voting, even though the popular vote is not counted?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 11:20:44 -0400

This is the first election many new Soldiers get to vote. They think their vote actually counts. It does not.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 15 at 2016 11:35 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 11:35:57 -0400

Why do you say that? Each state has different rules, but none exclude the absentee votes, the closest to that I have ever heard is the instance of the remaining votes being too small to make a difference and not counted for that reason, and I'm not sure of the validity of that allegation. What matters is the electors, they represent us when the electoral count is taken. If you vote for those that profess to vote for the candidate they represent, that is your vote. For the most part your vote is counted, however the popular vote is NOT what matters, with this possible exception.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 15 at 2016 11:37 AM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 11:37:21 -0400

... Simple ... If you don't vote ... Don't complain about the Outcome... It does make a difference... Make sure the politicians know where the People stand... and if they ignore the People they can be replaced...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2016 11:50 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 11:50:15 -0400

The Electoral College is a lot like the tape test. Inaccurate, outdated, but still the system of record and easy to use. Remind them if they want to change from that system, that they can only do that by voting. There are plenty of names on that ballot, If you want your state to turn blue or red, you have a popular vote to win. If you ever want a constitutional convention, you need to have the right Governors in place. If you want to change the two party system, you have to start voting 3rd party some time, not when you think you can win. You can't have it all in one election cycle, kids who get their first vote this cycle need to learn that kind of tactical patience and have to learn that their miniscule impact matters.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2016 11:50 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 11:50:16 -0400

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2016 11:56 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 11:56:16 -0400

Every vote counts to determine the people who will make up the electoral college. The people who make up the electoral college vote according to the laws of there state e.g. all of the states votes for one or votes make according to percentage of the popular vote.

NOW, suppose that you are in a small state. It has only three electoral votes. The vote of the people comes out with only one vote more for the winner. One candidate is stuck on 268 votes. That one single vote could actually then sway the election to that candidate.

Wow, the individual vote doesn't count? Surely would should this happen.

Will it happen? Not very likely. Could it happen? Absolutely.

Sorry but each person's vote DOES count.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 15 at 2016 11:58 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 11:58:51 -0400

Very misleading... the individual votes determine the electoral votes... the electoral college was developed to ameliorate the effect of larger states over smaller states... do you want CALIFORNIA setting policy for the whole country? Please read the Federalist Paper (and the Anti-Federalist Papers)

Response by SSG Lyle O'Rorke made Oct 15 at 2016 12:32 PM

SSG Lyle O'Rorke — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 12:32:09 -0400

I would explain also that there are hundreds of other campaigns on the ballots that do go by direct vote that do make a lot of difference; local, county, state, federal, and petitions.

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Oct 15 at 2016 1:14 PM

SPC Kevin Ford — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 13:14:38 -0400

While you are technically correct that the electoral college delegates are not constitutionally bound to vote as the majority election in the state indicates, such faithless delegates are rare in practice. Those delegates are chosen from the party insiders and such a move is generally considered political suicide. Some states also have laws that bind delegates or require party pledges. For example, delegates in my state (CT) are legally bound to vote in accordance with the popular vote from the ballot.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 15 at 2016 5:23 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 17:23:09 -0400

Of course their votes count. What idiot says otherwise?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 15 at 2016 5:58 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 17:58:19 -0400

Does "one" vote count? Yes. Does "one" vote change the outcome? Not on a national and state scale. It can on a podunk small town scale. So if you don't vote because you don't think it matters and 30 million others think the same way, then 30 million and one votes don't count but could easily change the outcome at the national level if the delta is say a few million. I'm presuming some 45/55 split if you forced them to vote. Results vary. others have pointed out how the popular vote at the state level sets the Electoral Vote. It was set up that way so the states as a whole have a bit more skin in the game.

Response by SPC Danny Hahn made Oct 15 at 2016 7:01 PM

SPC Danny Hahn — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 19:01:49 -0400

It counts in that the state's electoral votes go to the candidate with the most votes in that state. Don't discourage them voting. This election could not have more riding on it. Every vote is important, especially given the vast amount of voter fraud on the democratic side. If they think their vote doesn't count and stay home, our country is in grave trouble.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Oct 15 at 2016 8:39 PM

Capt Michael Greene — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 20:39:51 -0400

By now, 9 hours after you posted the issue, you probably know that your assumption is wrong. Every vote does count. Everybody should vote. Even if I disagree with your vote and hope your candidate loses, it's still important that as many people as possible get their vote into the system.

Ask Al Gore.

America is rapidly becoming an oligarchy. We might be one already. But the only power that people really have is the vote.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Oct 15 at 2016 8:52 PM

1SG Al Brown — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 20:52:10 -0400

Those hanging chads can be important. They can influence individual vote counts, which influence electoral votes, which may require Supreme Court decisions, which sometimes decide elections. If not for chads, we would have found out how Al Gore would have dealt with the events of 9/11.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2016 11:30 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 23:30:51 -0400

Each vote does count! It might not have a large effect on the president, but it can have a big effect on local and state leaders and policies. This year in Maine we have major initiatives on the ballot that have the potential to change our state for ever, and not for the better!

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Oct 16 at 2016 7:29 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 19:29:47 -0400

Do you mean SMs votes are not actually counted in their home states? I was under the impression the popular vote was actually for the electorial college delegates who would then officially elect the POTUS, but all intent and purpose the popular is considered just that by most folks. I know that if I vote for a particular candidate in the end if s/he wins they will be the POTUS.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2016 8:40 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 20:40:04 -0400

Well Chief, the way I do it is to stress the importance of voting locally. Your local votes matter more to you personally such as taxes, funding for schools, roads, etc... I've gotten a few people to register just on that.