If you know you don't know much about the candidates, should you still vote?

Answer 1

If you do not vote, you have no right to complain!

Soooooo find out a little more than what you currently know about the candidates, make your best choise, and vote.

Answer 2

Yes, although possibly not for any of the candidates. Generally, there will be a couple of proposals on the ballot that will affect how your tax dollars are spent with a brief description of what they're about. Also, if everyone who normally didn't vote would show up and do a write-in vote for the Trix rabbit or something, then the media would never again be able to use the phrase "popular vote" as neither major candidate would break 50%.

Answer 3

I think if you are going to vote you should know where the candidates stand on the issues that important to you. However, my experience is that most people tend to vote according to their political party with little regard for the issues. The minorities and those lower income will vote democrat and those with.. assets will vote republican. This rarely changes. Some free thinkers are choosing the independent route but they are the exception.

Answer 4

Most voters have a good idea who the candidates are at the top of the ballot--President and Vice-President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor and Lieutenant Governor, etc. However, as one gets further down the ballot (library board, metropolitan sanitary district, judges, etc.) it is difficult for anyone to keep track of all the candidates, their qualifications, views on issues and so on.

I find it particularly difficult to make an educated choice about retaining judges or not.

Fortunately, if one is affiliated with a political party, the choices for partisan races become easier. With affiliation comes trust; if I trust my party leaders, I will support those candidates they have nominated.

Many civic organizations other than political parties also endorse candidates, as do individuals. Such things as endorsements and ratings help me make what I consider wise choices. I happen to respect the National Lawyers' Guild, and I usually follow their recommendations regarding which judges to retain and which to retire. I also respect the opinions of the League of Women Voters, the Sierra Club, and a number of my friends.

Without personal knowledge of the candidates, party affiliation, or recommendations of friends or people or organizations you trust, you probably should not vote at all.

Answer 5

Yes, you should always vote. Obviously you have a computer, so what's to keep you from finding out about the candidates?

Answer 6

voting is compulsory here in Aus, and you usually know who you are going to vote for.
As a previous poster said, if you dont vote, you cant complain about the state of your country. its not too hard to find out stuff about your candidates and make an informed decision.
EG if you want your troops home, then vote for obama

Answer 7

Then you ought to read something about the candidates then vote. If you insist on throwing a dart a voting then you need to be accountable for the actions of your chosen official.

Answer 8

This hasn't stopped people from both sides of the political spectrum from voting if they have registered. Hell, it hasn't stopped anyone who isn't registered legally from voting! Even dead people somehow get a vote counted.
Go figure.

I would hope that people choose their vote based upon the views and voting records of the candidates for all offices. Regardless of one's political position, he or she should vote for whomever represents their views and not because of the party affiliation.

Naturally, the majority of voters who do vote won't do that.

Answer 9

Yes.

No one ever knows enough about the candidates. Vote with the knowlege you have.

Answer 10

Why vote when you don't know what you are voting for? Are you going to bring a coin in to help you decide?

On the other hand, it won't make you much different than the other dopes who are voting.