Ok, so I'm only 15 and I won't be voting in the 2008 presidential election, but I will be able to vote in a couple years.
I just don't understand why people vote in the presidential elections when their votes don't even count. I mean, we (as the public) don't decide who is president..the electoral college does! Do they sway their votes sometimes to match the popular vote? or do they just vote for who they want no matter who won the popular vote?
I'm just wondering if i should even bother when I'm old enough to vote for president. I'm going to vote for more local candidates because those votes actually do matter..but for president..idk. I just feel like its pointless when some other people are deciding who's gonna be president anyway.
2007-07-19 11:33:04 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
i understand your feeling of no effect. i used to feel the same way.
but come 2012, you might (emphasis on might) feel differently.
the electoral college is supposed to vote the way your state votes. in very very rare cases, they cast a different vote in protest of the party's choice.
but there are a few reasons to vote:
1) there's a certain...satisfaction in voting. it's a feeling i can't really explain other than it feels better than not voting.
2) if you're in a state that has a close race, you don't want to let someone else decide for you.
3) it's easier to complain about the current administration when you've voted in the election. if you didn't bother to vote, most people won't take your complaints seriously--you didn't do anything to change it.
4) if you feel strongly about any issue, your best way of expressing it is to vote in the elections and contact the people you put in office.
5) on the day of presidential elections, there are other elections too. so even if you don't like the presidential elections, you can have state-level and local matters up for vote on the same day. it doesn't take any more effort, other than pressing a button.
so give it a try. you might find it more appealing than you originally thought.
2007-07-19 11:42:15 · answer #1 · answered by brian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
99% of the time, whoever wins the popular vote for a state gets that state's electoral votes. Each state has laws and regulations set up that define what the electors are obligated to do, and the means by which they can put in a 'faithless' vote against the popular vote.
I think Edwards got 1 electoral vote in the last election, even though he wasn't a candidate for president.
2007-07-19 11:40:49 · answer #2 · answered by freedom first 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The people who vote in the Electoral College- are, in effect- standing on the "shoulders" of the general electorate (the average voter- in other words). Your vote DOES matter- because it sends its "message" up the chain to the person you want to see Elected. If not enough people pass that "message on"- your candidate doesn't get Elected. Your Vote DOES count- the same way ANYTHING you do- counts; by being that FIRST "step" down the path YOU want someone to "go". And the MORE people who take that step- the MORE the World will change... So when your time comes- please "stand up & be "counted" & Vote. Alot of peoples future (BESIDES your own) -depends on it. :)
2007-07-19 11:52:45 · answer #3 · answered by Joseph, II 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I voted for Barry Goldwater in 1964. I read his book, "The Conscience of a Conservative." Unlike today's Republicans, he was a true conservative. Republican Dick Cheney proclaimed that deficits did not matter and George Bush stayed true to that philosophy. Today, the National Republican party has said that the election had taught them a lesson. It didn't teach em much. With over a trillion dollar deficit, they only want to cut 60 billion dollars. They would probably not support any cuts if they had enough votes to win. They will talk conservative to some degree when they know that they will lose the vote.
2016-04-01 02:38:25 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason people dont vote is because they think that their vote wont mean anything anyway, but the truth of the matter is if just half of the people that felt that way actually did vote, then their word would get out there and be heard. It is especially important to get young people to be active in voting because they are our future. Make a difference, show your opinion!
2007-07-19 11:45:55 · answer #5 · answered by Kassie M 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately you're right. It is however important to be registered to vote so you can vote on important things like legalizing marajuana, local police budgets, ect. The presidency is and will be a puppet person for the few richest people in the world involved in the biggest conspiracy ever imagined.
2007-07-19 11:42:36 · answer #6 · answered by danksquish 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The people in the elctoral college vote for whoever wins the popular vote in your state (at least most of the time).
2007-07-19 11:43:46 · answer #7 · answered by NFrancis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do they not teach Government is school anymore? That's not quite how it works. The problem with Americans today is they are not willing to do their part and then they complain that they don't like the choices that are made for them. You can't change anything if you don't get involved. If you don't vote than you have no right to disagree with the decisions made by our government. How did GWB get re-elected wtf?
2007-07-19 11:45:57 · answer #8 · answered by Killa 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You shouldn't worry about it, the president is a puppet, and elections are rigged.
2007-07-19 11:40:38 · answer #9 · answered by Todd D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you do what you want. 1 person won't make a difference. i see your point though.
2007-07-19 11:59:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋