photo credit: johnnyalive
So, I’ve decided to write my own little BTT this Thursday, and save this week’s topic for a future week when I am out of town. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my upcoming trip to Ethiopia (!), I have started writing furiously and time-delaying posts so that BCC does not hibernate too much over the next three months…
Tuesday night, I settled in with my laptop and election coverage, excited to watch the votes come in throughout the evening. Since I’ve had the privilege of visiting each of the 50 states at least once, I love watching to see where the votes fall.
As the first few polls closed, I mentioned to my husband that the newscasters should just start the broadcast with certain states already colored “red” or “blue” according to how that state has voted since time began… My husband retorted, “This coming from a woman who has never voted outside of one party” — which is yet another reason why I love my husband (his ability to shed light on my own biases) and this comment is particularly valid from him since he has, in the course of his voting history, cast a vote for candidates from three different parties — another reason why I love my free-thinking husband.
So, chastised, I decided to quietly surf my Reader and see what was happening in the lit blog world. I stumbled upon a promising post that warned its topic was controversial and the blogger expected to get plenty of flak. The topic was: “the right NOT to vote.” Intrigued and always up for a good debate, I scrolled down to the comment section to see just how rough the readers were on this blogger.
Here’s a sampling of what I found:
- “I hear you!”
- “Why would you get flak? I think [your post] was right on! This would be my only reason not to vote: ‘…because there are too many conflicting moral issues, and [I am] unable in good conscience to cast a vote either way.”‘
- “Again thank you for a timely reminder and the validation that not voting is as much a matter of choice and having our say as voting for a certain person or bill is.”
- “…totally agree with you. I actually posted a piece on my blog a while back titled, ‘Sorry, I Just Can’t Vote for Either One.’”
- “I applaud you for following your conscience.”
- “I actually agree with you.”
Hmmm… Honestly, I was surprised and even a little shocked! Now, a few explained why they still find a way to cast a vote, even when disillusioned, but the majority of commenters seemed almost relieved to admit, “It’s o.k. to be jaded and bitter and punish those nasty politicians by ignoring them - take that!” So, I promptly left a comment — stating that voting is not only a privilege, but a duty, etc., etc., etc…
But then the next day I just couldn’t stop thinking about this topic… My problem was not so much with the post itself — as the blogger states at the beginning, “what are blogs for if not to share ideas? “ I agree that bloggers should feel free to express their views, even those I believe are misguided or even irresponsible. And yesterday I couldn’t help but notice the irony that the topic was about shunning the source and protection of those rights that allow us to share our ideas freely… But I digress…
What really surprised and nagged at me was the tenor of the comment section and that there weren’t more dissenters to this idea of choosing not to vote. The blogger had expected most people to disagree with her thesis, especially on the very day that such an historic election was taking place (regardless of who you voted for), and I wondered if I really was in the minority. I have never missed a presidential or gubanatorial election, yet I still had a lump in my throat when I cast my vote. It always feels like such an honor, even during those years when I, too, have felt a bit jaded or disheartened. But I really don’t understand why a frustration with certain candidates would translate into a rejection of our system or rights.
Now, since I live in Minnesota — a state that once elected a professional wrestler as governor and might have elected a professional satirist to the Senate yesterday (still too close to call… now THAT was a nasty campaign…) — I really do not have the luxury to bypass the polls. Once you’ve been represented by a fellow known for his feather boas, you understand the need to not relinquish your vote or your rights. And that is what was most shocking to me — the willingness of so many to allow another to speak for them! Call me a control-freak, but there’s no way I’m allowing complete strangers to make such a significant decision for me…
Does this mean that I condone the nasty campaigning? Absolutely not – I literally changed the channel on the t.v. or radio every single time a political ad came on (and drove my hubby crazy at times…). I do watch the candidates’ speeches and debates and try to read a variety of sources in order to inform my vote, but if I could not in good conscience vote for any of the candidates, I would do what my mother has done a number of times — written in my own candidate. Some would say I am throwing away my vote, but this has to be better than throwing away my voice or allowing other voters to speak for me.
So, there’s my rant! What do you think? Should I be more open-minded regarding our right NOT to vote? Or should I simply say, “Thank you,” since others’ silence makes my vote more significant?
By the way, the originally blogger has posted a follow-up regarding not voting due to religious convictions…
People here and worldwide have died for the right to vote. After living in this country for almost 30 years, most of which I was taxed but unrepresented as an alien, I became a citizen five years ago and am aghast that anyone is complacent enough to blow it off. I think these are the people who should be voting at the local level-city council members etc. and then maybe they would feel that there voting had more of an impact. Nobody has to vote, but what a shame.
I TOTALLY, COMPLETELY, and UTTERLY agree with you. I read the post in question as well and wanted to comment in order to disagree, but I couldn’t think of a nice way to do it. And I wasn’t about to be mean because everyone has the right to say what they want! I think it is so important to vote. People complain that they don’t like the candidates running – VOTE IN A PRIMARY. That’s what it’s for! I feel so strongly about this, I might have to start my own post on it!
Ok I did it – my two cents:
http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/2008/11/thoughts-on-voting.html
Thank you, Anna and Krishna! I actually almost didn’t post this, but I’m so glad I did now… During a year that has brought so much hope to so many, I appreciate your passion! I really do think this country is a reflection of its inhabitants, and I would hate for that reflection to be dominated by apathy and bitterness…
I don’t think that not voting is “sticking it” to any candidate. Frankly, if candidate A wins 100,000,001 to 100,000,000 if 200,000,001 people show up or 2 to 1 if only 3 bother, he still go to the White House and he’s still happy.
Voting so important that I feel if any party tampers with the system (threatening voters, turning voters away, lying about a change in polling place, faking votes, whatever) they should be promptly and permanently disbanded. They can no longer raise funds, nor run any candidate in any election, not even dog catcher. No one who has ever run for any position as a member of that party can ever run for anything again, even if he “changes parties” (so to keep the same party from forming under a new name). Every single elected official who ran as a member of the party should be removed for office immediately and a new election held. Any attempt to destroy the system must be met with permanent exemption from it. I don’t care which party does it, and if that means we have no Republican party and no Democratic party, then let the Independents duke it out.
I think that way because I believe in exactly what you’re saying, that our right to vote is precious, that our system depends on us being able to elect our leaders by the will of the people, and that it is the duty of all citizens to cast an informed, considered ballot.
Ivy — Love your fervor! I can tell you I was a little irritated by the HUGE placards and campaigners I found just outside my polling place. Personally, I wish there were NO ads at all — Maybe all of the candidates could get (for free) 30 minutes of air time (like Obama’s spot) to state their cases. I would keep the debates and conventions, too, but I doubt the ads affect anyone in a positive way.
I’ve gotten off your thesis a bit… Sorry! I completely support your idea regarding tampering, too!
Having worked in government, and seeing the difference honest, hard-working, capable elected officials can make and the mess associated with less talented and ummotivated office holders – I always vote.
I agree with Ivy about persons who tamper with the election system and try to intimidate, coerce, induce, or in other ways try to inappropriatedly or illegally influence elections. My brother has worked as an election official for many years and he tells stories about how persons attempt to misuse elections in his precinct.
I don’t understand non-voters but I am thankful for them because I don’t want the candidates to win that they might support!
Thanks for the great post. I also read the other post yesterday and decided not to comment. I agree that people have the RIGHT to abstain from voting but I would never do it – I vote every chance I get.
I had a discussion with a gal at work earlier this week regarding her decision not to vote. Basically it came to to the fact that she feels everyone should do whatever is right for them and that she doesn’t want to decide for anyone else what is right/wrong. Hence she won’t vote so that she isn’t pushing her opinion on anyone else. Hmm … I just don’t get it. To me, voting is an honor and a priveledge, and I will NEVER take it for granted.
My son is only 6 but he’s been with me to every election I’ve voted in, and I continue to explain to him the importance of knowing what the candidates stand for and choosing wisely.
Thank you, Greg and Heather! How great that your son has joined you at the polls, Heather. I really believe our parents’ sense of civic responsibility affects our own…
This idea of our “right to remain silent” really is ironic, isn’t it — thank goodness our founding fathers (and mothers) didn’t exercise this “right”!
Isn’t it wonderful that we can all decide what to do for ourselves?
I would have been okay if you had linked to me…I have to admit I’m curious why you guys (you and Swapna) didn’t. Were you worried I’d come over and yell at you?
Part of the reason I decided to write the post was because I definitely have readers who don’t vote and when I asked if people think less of others who don’t vote a few months ago, there was a resounding yes…and I thought…is that fair? Is it fair to think less of someone who for religious reasons or personal conviction doesn’t vote? It should be noted what I was speaking to was not being jaded or cynical or too lazy to bother. I was specifically speaking to the freedom of being able to act according to conscience.
Additionally, I doubt that all the people hailing the necessity of voting vote in every single election available to them. Are you not also, at times, saying it’s okay not to vote by not always voting every single time?
Thank you for the invitation to link, Amy! I did so…
I just found your blog recently, so I had not read your earlier post about judging those who do not vote — I bet if you had linked to it in your post, I might not have written this in the first place… but I’m so enjoying the debate!!
By the way, I’m glad you clarified for my commenters that the issue was NOT apathy — I stated that in my post, but you are right to note that a few commenters seemed to misinterpret the motivation behind not voting.
If the topic had been apathy I would not have written this — apathy in our country is just too common and too depressing to even write about.
It was the anger and/or bitterness of some of your commenters that caught my attention. However, I hadn’t noticed the religious angle in the comments, so your recent post was interesting.
I’m still going to assert that writing in a vote is a better way to vote your conscience than silence, though…
By the way, some states mandate that primary voters register for a particular party — so while many people do not think it’s o.k. not to vote every single time, they refuse to be affiliated with any party.
Thanks for keeping the debate going!! I really enjoyed reading all of the comments yesterday!
I believe that voting is fundamental to a Democratic society – it is what our country was founded on and it is what we promote, support and fight for across the globe. It feels hypocritical to me that we would be fighting to establish democracies in other countries and then not respecting our own by not exercising our right and privilege to vote.
I understand with our democracy comes the right to not vote and to voice an opinion and while I might not agree if someone has a value against voting that is their right. It removes from them though the right to comment on how things might be going or decisions being made by the elected officials.
And I think that writing in a name for an important election is almost as irresponsible as not voting from apathy. It goes nowhere, is not reported and is an empty vote. We have a long political process for president and other positions that include canvassing, campaigning, primaries, etc. that allow every voter to have their voice heard. Waiting until Election Day to write in a vote seems somewhat irresponsible.
Just my thoughts for what they are worth…
Thank you, Sandi! I realized this morning that the issue really isn’t whether or not we should have the “right” to vote in this country — too obvious. The interesting debate is what our “responsibility” is as voters, which then opens up the discussion to whether writing in a vote or only voting according to party affiliation or refusing to vote due to a candidate’s position on one issue is irresponsible. That’s when the discussion gets interesting!!
Thank you for adding your voice to this great discussion!
It is a long process Sandi, and while everyone may have their voice heard in the process if the final choices they can’t live with, why should they be forced to vote or be considered irresponsible?
I know a lot of people that found tremendous hope for example, in Ron Paul this go around. It was the first time they were energized about the process, but he got stamped out pretty quickly. Why should they have to then decide which of the other two candidates they like if they can’t agree with either?
It’s going to take the courage of people willing to go against the norm to break us out of the two party system that is currently poisonous to our country in my opinion.
But here’s the thing…I totally respect that for most of the commenters on this post, it’s an extreme violation of conscience to not vote. I hope it’s also a violation of conscience to not vote irresponsibly. How can you say one person’s vote is less valuable or not as responsible as yours? If I spent four hours researching and you spent 12 hours should your vote count more than mine? If I can’t in good conscience support war or abortion or a limitation on civil rights does that mean I should be forced to anyway because my voice wasn’t loud enough the first time?
btw, Kristen, we should make a button that says vote responsibly or something…you know like drink responsibly.
I love this idea, Amy!! And how nice that I think we all agree on this point, too… even if voting responsibly takes many different forms!
I think that choosing not to vote is a right, just like choosing how you vote. It drives me crazy that people make that choice because I too would rather have my voice represented, if even through a write in ballot, than not at all. But I like that choice runs deep enough in this country that it even includes choosing not to vote. The fact that the candidates running this time inspired hundreds of thousands of new voters to come out on Tuesday, is even better! I don’t consider voicing your opinion an empty vote even if your candidate is a loooong shot- like voting for the Green Party candidate rather than Dem/Rep/or Jesse Ventura in that crazy election or some other smaller party some year. In my opinion it is still being true to yourself, and that is important to me regardless of whether or not your candidate can win.
Great thread, Kristen! Thanks for the thought provoking discussion!
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