Voting versus Not Voting

In Australia, where i am from, voting is compulsory. I think this system works really well because it encourages all citizens to take responsibility to become informed, make decisions, and in the big picture results in a fairer outcome for the elections because all citizen's votes count.

Ok starr4all, do you realize what you said? If you don't vote you are doing exactly the same thing as someone who doesn't vote so what difference does it make then? That is really ridiculous! I don't like to hear that someone doesn't vote just because! But if you don't vote because you don't like either candidate and your husband doesn't vote then you are giving your votes to the wrong candidate. That is a very unintelligent reason!!! I don't like either candidate either! But I'll be damned if I'm going to let the wrong one get in whichever that one is and in this case I need to make sure that McCain doesn't get in so the Republicans don't stay in power and whether or not I want Obama doesn't matter because it I don't vote I'm giving the vote to McCain and so are you and your husband. You need to read your statement because it is plain stupid! I'm sorry, I don't mean to be offensive, but how can you say you don't like people who don't vote when you aren't voting either? Please starr think about it and read what you yourself wrote in your own discussion.

the problem with not voting is that you've got no chance of changing anything - if enough people voted for an independent candidate in the US election maybe, just maybe it might send the signal that people are sick of the two party system.

I think that you should only vote if you have an opinion. If you don't really mind who wins, then you shouldn't waste your vote, as it will cancel someone else's out who actually has an opinion. If you do have an opinion though, you should definately vote, and don't leave it to pure chance that the person you want to win will win.

I think this election will have a lower voter turnout for the reasons you stated. A lot of people are not really crazy about either of the candidates. But as you make the point if you don't vote you are taking away any right to have a voice. No matter how small you are taking away ANY chance of changing anything. It's a hard decision this year. And you are far from alone. There are still a lot of undecided voters.

I am registered to vote, although I have only done it once. I really don't follow politics at all and feel as if I would be voting unprepared. All I know is that over the years, I have seen no difference in my personal life based on the president-democrat or republican. There is so much that I disagree with as far as the US govt, such as passing the laws and tossing in unpopular issues etc. I believe the world's fate has already been written, so my vote really isn't going to change anything. Besides, when was the last time someone said "If only they had one more vote."

I kind of have the same feeling; I am 25 years old and this will be my second Presidential election, although I have participated in other elections in my state of California. I think very much like you; I wish more people could get invovled. That's why I think this election is special because no matter who your supporting, there are people who would normally never get involved voting for the President of the United States. I think that you should find a candidate who you can support, whether it's an independent or one of the two main candidates, You should let your voice be heard; I believe, maybe naively, that every vote for an independent shows that more and more people are tired of the normal games of the two-party system. Anyway you choose, or decide to go, good luck to you!

I'm not American and I don't know the US political system. But I agree with the "people who don't vote have no right to complain" - unless the US is completely a two party system you must have other people to vote for, independents, the Green party and the like. Protest vote for one of them. They are not "wasted votes", they show the main parties that if the want your vote, this is the line to take. Vote for the group that supports the general goal you want to support, so (UK wise) if you support green issues, vote Green and ignore the socialist side, they have no chance of getting in and it the main goal the big two will look at taking on board.