Why do people not vote?

LTC Henry Wadsworth — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:08:26 -0400

I have watched with interest the past elections and the lack of turn out at the poles. Of the registered voters in this country the most I have seen turn out to vote is 48% over all. How can we send a message to our representatives that we do not like something with that much lack of interest? Voting is a privilege and can be denied. The main way to change things is to vote.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Aug 12 at 2014 7:09 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 19:09:38 -0400

I posted this elsewhere, but I believe it may answer, at least in part, your question. "If God wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates." Jay Leno

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Aug 13 at 2014 12:27 AM

SGT Suraj Dave — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 00:27:38 -0400

We have the Electoral College to vote for us, because our popular vote is just for fun anyways.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2014 12:34 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 00:34:41 -0400

Judging by the product of the two most recent elections, it is discouraging that the percentage of voters is as high as it is...

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 22 at 2014 8:52 AM

SPC James Mcneil — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:52:56 -0400

You said that voting "is a privilege and can be denied." This is something that people need to understand. With the "right to vote" going around as a buzzword, and especially with voter ID laws being blamed on why people don't vote and being called racist, I weep for the future of this country.

I'd like to up that ante a little bit. Voting is more than a privilege. It's a responsibility. It is our responsibility as citizens to cast an informed vote.

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 22 at 2014 1:15 PM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 13:15:10 -0400

Some places make it difficult for people to vote. Some don't believe in the candidates running. Some think it should be majority and not electoral when it comes to choosing.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 1:24 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 13:24:02 -0400

1. My vote will not affect the outcome of any election. Not even the local school board election.

2. Voting between democrat and republican is a futile effort, and no third party has the funding and support to crack 10% on the national scale.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 1:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 13:30:45 -0400

In my case, I am resident of Puerto Rico, so Puerto Ricans do not vote in US elections.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 1:34 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 13:34:12 -0400

LTC Henry Wadsworth I understand but as much as we have lost faith in many of our representatives, I feel many believe that one's vote does not count. And again agree with the privilege not taken is partly to blame for what we are seeing.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 1:38 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 13:38:36 -0400

Gerrymandering has made it almost impossible for states to out incumbents. 90+% are reelected every time.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Oct 22 at 2014 5:28 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 17:28:47 -0400

i honestly believe it is because ;
1. most people are uninformed
2. i have always voted this way( refer to #1)
3. people who get free govt. stuff will never vote to get that free stuff taken away
4. people are tired of professional politicians that care for nothing but the next election, fund raiser,etc.
5. i for one feel that now matter how i vote it will not change anything refer back to #4

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 4:09 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 04:09:39 -0400

I myself do not vote. I believe if voting really made a difference it would be illegal. To be honest I think everything is "rigged" and will happen any way the Government wants, they just allow people to vote to make them feel like they are getting a say in anything.

Response by SGT William B. made Oct 28 at 2014 3:09 PM

SGT William B. — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:09:30 -0400

I think the disturbing trend is that only 8% of folks in my age bracket vote (18-35). I get the reasons why people feel that their vote doesn't actually matter, but the problem is that without that buy-in from the younger generation, *nothing* will change.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 30 at 2014 2:36 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 14:36:25 -0400

Because this is a Republic, not dictatorship or a Marxist state, and we have the right to NOT vote. I think many people are wise not to vote. If you do not follow the issues or what the people running believe I am thankful that they do not vote. The results when the uninformed are pushed vote are a primary cause of the mess we now have and I am sure a major part of why we have the candidate puddle we do (I wanted to say ‘candidate pool’ but the choices are so shallow and slimy that puddle seemed more appropriate).

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Oct 30 at 2014 3:30 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:30:45 -0400

Some of the reasons I see:

- Laziness
- Lack of caring or pride for your country
- No good candidates or options
- System is rigged towards political parties in power, incumbents, and lobbyists (so why bother)
- As long as I get my free stuff, why should I care who is in office?
- "If voting was important, they wouldn't let us do it" - Mark Twain

About sums up the perspectives I have seen over the years. Its a sad process, but it just keeps getting worse since those corrupt people in power get to continue to vote themselves into more power and wealth.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 4:30 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:30:04 -0400

Some general resources to consider for next week:
- Ballotpedia @ http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
- Judgepedia @ http://judgepedia.org/Main_Page
- POPVOX @ https://www.popvox.com/
- GovTrack @ https://www.govtrack.us/
- Vote Smart @ http://votesmart.org/
- I Side With @ http://www.isidewith.com/

Main Page - Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professionally curated encyclopedia designed to connect people to politics and elections at the local, state and federal level.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Oct 31 at 2014 5:17 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 17:17:52 -0400

I think the main reason for not voting is lack of knowledge. It takes time and effort to keep track of candidate track records and make informed decisions. There are organizations out there that help through voter guides, but they are and aren't helpful depending on how they gather information and if they charge for their reviews. The Linkletter used to be my go to until I found out they charge candidate to be in the Linkletter. Further, I found out a local candidate refused to pay up to be reviewed, so he was talked down and given a bad rating.

Because of this and other things I've learned, I don't go by voter guides anymore. It's really very hard to be a voter with a clue. You can always vote straight ticket, but again, how do you know if you aren't voting for a lemon with your apples.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 8:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 08:47:55 -0500

There are many excuses, and some have very valid points, but in the end they are still excuses. Our two party system forces you to choose the lesser of two evils, or makes you pick your own alternative candidate that has no chance of being elected.Is that wasting a vote? Or is voting for a candidate you don't like, but you don't like their opponent more better? Gerrymandering allows politicians to pick there own constituency, it needs to stop, not reformed, but done away with. The nature of our political system has degraded to the point that almost no one worthy of holding office would even consider running, and the ones qho are worthy are quickly crushed by the career pols. Career pols are professional liars, all of them lie, all of the time. So, stop voting down party lines, do your homework on the candidates, write in people worthy of your votes if they aren't on the ballot. If you refuse to vote, you have no basis for complaint.

Response by SrA Jonathan Carbonaro made Mar 15 at 2016 7:16 AM

SrA Jonathan Carbonaro — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 07:16:29 -0400

Sir, Why should I vote for the lesser of two evils? If they are both evil, then my only morale choice is to not cast a vote at all.