Do you vote for the person or the party?

I am a member of the NDP party, however I am a member because I really like my local candidate. Should a new candidate come in that I don't like I'd gladly switch parties, probably green.

Hi whywiki, I don't like The present Conservative Government here in Canada, and I am going along with a group that suggests voting for the candidate that has the best change of defeating the Conservative. I have always been a party person and unless the local candidate was a complete idiot, I voted for the party. This time we have a very good candidate but I don't think he has a chance of winning, so it looks like I'll be supporting another party this time, but only in my own riding. I'm still wanting my party to win more seats nationally. This is the first time that I actually changed my vote in order to stop another candidate from winning. Does this sound weird to you? Blessings.

Iam neither party,I vote for whoever I think can do the job!

It really depends. In municipal elections, it's definitely for the person. In this federal election my riding is going to be won by one of two good candidates - I'll vote for the one I favour but it won't be a bad thing if the other guy gets in. There are some ridings in Canada where the Convservatives are likely to win a seat - I care enough about preventing that that I would hold my nose and vote for an individual candidate I don't like just to keep them out.

I just answered a discussion about this last night and here's what I said. I don't think the party is the most important but rather what candidate is closest to your way of thinking...you won't get a perfect one but you'll at least be voting on someone that is close to what you want. [b]~~IN SEARCH OF PEACE WITHIN~~ **AGAINST THE STORMS, I WILL STAND STRONG** [/b]

I vote for the person I think would be best for my riding. It just so happens that the people I have preferred have been NDP candidates for well over a decade now. The issues you are torn about is exactly why that "MMP", or "Mixed Member Proportionate" system would be WONDERFUL! That way you could vote for your favourite party (because of their leader or platform), but also vote for the local candidate that you feel would best meet the needs of you and your family. As for "Happy Jack"... he'll be here in London on Sunday afternoon at my local MP's office for a rally. I'm considering attending, but am not fully sure just yet. I do have to go to the campaign office to pick up an "inside scrutineer" package for election day anyways... so maybe that'd be the best time? lol.

I used to vote for the person and was a swing voter, but the gulf got bigger and bigger and one of the most important issues for me is outlawing late term abortions and promoting much more preconception birth control as I believe we are carrying out a holocaust and the 'karma' for that cannot be good. I also am now leery of government making more and more programs.. as that I feel can become a cumbersome monster so huge it can only fall with a resounding crash. I'm not pleased with the efforts to curb free speech on the campuses and on some issues and on radio shows.. When the same ones attempting this are the ones all for tolerance and free speech and diversity thirty, forty years ago.. The problem with my party is it's getting to be more and more like the other one.

I am a Republican, but that only means that when I look at the candidates I compare them to the Republican running for the same office. If I agree with the issues of one of the others more than the Republican, they win my vote. If I don't like any of them, I'll probably vote Republican by default. That is for elections for state and federal positions though. At the local level, I pay little to no attention to party.

I admit the party have influenced my decisions in the past. Though I make sure I check out the individual politician's capability, I just can't help looking at the party they belong to. Belonging to a party says so much about the candidate, it represents the candidate's propaganda in general. But well, I am more concerned with the individual and what he can do to the people.

hello whywiki, I'd rather vote for the person who will represent our area most than being loyal to the party. For most of the time, voting with the party is misleading and thus the end result is not working well as everybody is expecting. Need to choose the person who really is not only capable but really concern for the people, especially us the middle class and less fortunate. Must be intelligent enough to select the best especially now that life is getting tougher and tougher. One who is dedicated enough to do his/her duty and responsibility for everybody's welfare and not only for his welfare. Nowadays we must vote wisely and intelligently to save not only our future but also our children's children future.

i think that every party has it's bad egg. i try to vote for the person. i try to look at what they believe in and stand for and use that to make my decision.