Do you think its wasting a vote?

In some states, a vote for a 3rd party candidate will make a difference in ballot access in the next (and other elections) - and in some states a vote for a 3rd party candidate won't hurt the party of your choice. My vote for Barack Obama in my state won't make much of a difference - my state is pretty solidly in the Obama camp. If I choose to vote for a 3rd party candidate, my vote WILL count toward the percentage of votes they need to garner in this election to be on the ballot in the next election.

Because it's voting for people that you think will win, rather than the one's you think are best for the job that gets us into these political troubles in the first place. We're stuck in this Republican/Democrat mentality, and reality lies within the lines of those parties. Imagine all the change that could be done if the American populace grew a pair and actually voted for who they thought was right, rather than who they thought could win. We may actually have more than two parties passing legislation. We need to abolish this two party system - it's dragging our government and economy down. We need new ideas, and to do that, we need people from different parties. Or we could get rid of parties altogether. I wouldn't mind that either.

Well if you think that way then there is no point for a election yea .Every vote is really important to the contestant even if they lose yea.

No I don't. If nothing else you are expressing your opinion and letting both parties know that you are not happy with either candidate. Some people will go into the voting booth close the curtain and just open the curtain and walk out. This is a way of voting with out voting. Voting is one of the most important privileges we have. Not to us it is wrong. I vote for who I think is the best one.

I believe that voting is a responsibility and, as with any other responsibility, it must be done with care and consideration. Many years ago I supported a third party candidate who had no shot of winning...but I really liked what he stood for and hoped against hope that support for him would rally before election day so that I could vote for him. But, it didn't so on election day I voted for my second choice because I had a responsibility to those who fought for my right to cast my vote...as an American and as a woman...to make my vote count, one way or another.

I think with so much at stake in this election we must do what is best for the country and if we know that a candidate is not going to win then we should vote to make thing better. If we vote for someone that dose not have a chance of winning it could keep the right person from becoming president. I would vote for the person that I thought could run the country, make real change and win the election.

Voting for what you believe in is never a waste of time. That's like saying your beliefs aren't worth risking not voting for whoever wins. Obviously most of us care who wins, but that doesn't make our beliefs any less important. Winning's not everything. It's like asking people throughout history, making a last stand for what they believe in knowing they'd lose (sometimes die) was a waste, I think. I'm an avid Ron Paul supporter, even though he's no longer in the race, I'm really hopin to hear something about all the write-ins that're gonna occur after election day. Even if it's only from the alternative media crowd, it'd mean something to me. See, the only way third parties won't ever get onto the big stage is because of the defeatist mentality. "Oh, they'll never win. It's a waste." it's what everyone's worked theselves into believing for so long, that they've made it true. People have the power to change it, if they want to. We just gotta get back to remembering what really matters...and I can tell you this: it ain't winning. I mean alot of people voted for Bush the first time thinking he'd change things -- and later have gone on to work against all the crap he's pulled. Your beliefs matters ALL the time, not just after the election's over.

I do if someone cant be elected what is the point of voting for them? I dont get the point, unless you are making a statement of some sort. I want to vote for a candidate is going to be elected.

The individual voting probably doesn't think so but I believe it ends up being a wasted vote. There's how many this time around? Those votes are going to end up helping either the democratic or republican candidates more than the third party candidate. On the other hand it is good to shake up the system once in awhile.

Honestly I was on the fence about this topic myself. And yes this is a good point you make. I mean My voice of reason wants me to vote Paul, but then again I have always said if a candidate shows integrity and has served this fine country then they would get my vote. I see this in McCain. And I see that he is someone who, although many criticize for various reasons, does put his country first. This is not to put down Paul at all...it's just by majority one of the two party leaders will win. And from not only the political things I have seen of each candidate as well as personal characteristics...well I can honestly say I know who I am voting for. However, this needs to be said. If a person honestly thinks neither of the two party leaders are right for the position than do a write in vote.

i think that it is a total waste of vote because everyone knows that they won't win. If i liked a candidate, like ron paul, and i knew that he was not going to win, i would probably not vote for him. Instead i would vote for either the main republican or democrat candidate depending on who's ideas i liked better and who i thought could better run the country.

i think that for some people they are wasting a vote. for instance every election there are about 1 million votes cast for mickey mouse. while i do agree that you shouldn't vote for who you think will win but who you agree with the most we all know that mickey mouse isn't and never will be the best for the job. he's a mouse. add the fact that he's not a real mouse and it's even more absurd. i think you should vote for who you think will be the best for the job but at the same time we all know that independents don't usually win.

no if they vote for what they believe in there pretty much not wasting anything its their chose to vote for who to win no matter if they dont think he/her will win its still great that you vote