Americans: Just pondering...?

Question

We all seem to have an opinion on what the "government" should and shouldn't do, both regarding our local government workers and officials, and by critiquing our national leaders actions. Do you vote? Can you vote? (I think felons lose the priviledge, and under 18 yoa, and immigrant workers w/ only a work visa can't...) Are there others?

Do you vote at every election? Every 2/4 years only?
Run-off elections?

What good is it to vote only once if your "chosen" candidate ends up in a run-off and you don't go back to vote then?

Answer 1

Always vote. Can't complain if you don't vote, and I love to complain!

Answer 2

I vote during every election.

At least theoretically, the candidate is chosen by party procedure which is somewhat based on a mini-democracy within the party.

And of course you can run as an independent.

Even with the electoral college and the smokey back rooms, you're not going to get a candidate elected that doesn't appeal to the public.

My problem with all of this is that with money, you can "put lipstick on a pig."

We spend millions of dollars making one candidate more appealing and the rest of them less appealing - rather than discussing the issues intelligently.

Sound-bites and makeup win the election, not foresight and wisdom.

Answer 3

I always vote in National and State elections. Only sometimes in the town ones - maybe 1/2 the time - many of those are unopposed races.

Answer 4

I vote for large elections. I am independent so can't vote in primaries. I sometimes vote in the smaller elections, but not every time.

Answer 5

I vote every year!

I had to take a relative to surgery last year on Election Day and we both got absentee ballots.

Answer 6

I vote for the "Big" Elections. That's it!

Answer 7

I vote every time, even though i feel it has no real worth

Answer 8

I always vote at all levels.