Should non-voters have a voice?

Question

Does anyone who CHOOSES not to vote, have the right to complain about the Government or any run off from?

What about the voters that do not research their options, that just vote according to party lines only for the Presidential race?

BTW...voting booths are open from 7AM to 8 PM and always close to home.

Don't forget...Important GOP debate tonight (Wednesday) at 8 PM (EST) on CNN. Even if you're not Republican, it's still important to watch. I watch both.

A lot of good answers!

Answer 1

those who CHOOSE not to vote should be aware of an old New York political slogan:

"If you're not part of the solution, you're a part of the problem."

Answer 2

Mr Crank is right. When the founding fathers decided Tuesday as voting day, there was no such thing as a "weekend." The 40 hr work week wasn't adopted until the 20th century. The founding fathers did not want to make Saturday voting day because people had to travel to vote in the 18th century and that would interfere with their only break from work (Saturday night) and church on Sunday. They decided on Tuesday to allow people to travel on Monday and decided that was the best way to get a majority of people to vote. They are turning over in their graves to see that the Tuesday voting is now used as a way to suppress voter turn-out to focus power for minority rule. Sounds a bit like a communist system! The party faithfuls will do everything in their power to avoid moving voting day to a time when most Americans are off work and it is least disruptive (Saturday).

I generally get time to vote, but my wife is a teacher and goes in before 7:00 am so the polls are closed. She also teaches at night school so she doesn't get off until 6:30. She doesn't get home until after 7:00. She does not have the time during the day to vote (teachers have a 2 hour window if they can find someone to cover their class). It will take about 3 hours to go home and vote then go back to work. I suspect a lot of people are frustrated by the stupidity built into the system to squelch democracy.

Answer 3

the ones who don't vote (not including ones that can't) don't have a right to complain. If they can vote, then vote, if they choose not to, that means that they are willing to accept the success and failures of the presidency.

as for the ones who don't research, shame on them. This is why we have George Bush in office now, people didn't research the candidates. Just like now, i've seen and heard people say, "im voting for Hillary!! Girl Power!!!" garbage, unless they can prove that she's a good leader, they shouldn't vote for her. Same for Barack, "Well, it's about time we get a non-white person in office" Unless they can prove that he's a good leader (which i think he is and he's getting my vote because i've actually researched every candidate carefully) then they shouldn't vote. Some people want to vote for Rudy, "He did a lot of good during 9/11" okay, but what has he done lately, we can't vote on people based on their good qualities, we have to look at everyone's flaws as well.

Answer 4

whether or not you vote has nothing to do with your approval or disapproval of the government's ability to be effective.

I see what you're getting at.... basically everyone should vote, but you're forgetting the part where people have become synical about the entire process. If you have major disagreements with the process to begin with, and you choose not to participate, that doesn't negate your right to ***** about the government that ultimately controls the process. Alot of people these days are questioning the fairness of the voting systems to begin with....some would say it is basically pointless, because no matter what you will always be voting for the lesser of two or three, elites / evils.

I vote because I want to, but if I didn't.....that doesn't mean I can't take on other issues of concern.

Answer 5

No they don't! And those people who just pick a candidate from a party shouldn't be able to have a say in government affairs.

Churchill once said that, and I'm paraphrasing, people who don't vote shouldn't complain about government.

That's true. Even if you think all politicians are crooked and the system is corrupt, you should still vote and use your best judgment to pick a good candidate.

Answer 6

It depends on WHY they didn't vote. If someone gives the "my vote doesn't matter anyway" excuse, then NO. They have no right to complain. If you want things to be different, YOU have to go out and try to change them.
If someone CAN'T vote because they work several jobs, have no transportation, and truly can't fit it in their schedule, then they still have a right to complain. If things were better in our country (health care, better benefits with jobs, affordable services, etc...) they would be able to vote and change things.
But, again, if people don't vote just because they believe the 'system' is messed up and their vote won't count, then they should be quiet. If your vote doesn't count, neither does your opinion.

Answer 7

Yes, for two reasons.

The way the Electoral College voting system set up in our society is completely backward and corrupt.

The last election put Herman Munster (John Kerry) vs. George Bush (George Bush). Who in their right mind would want to vote for EITHER???

You either can vote, and it will not matter because the electoral college does not represent anyone's interests but their own...
OR
You can refuse to vote because of the horrible candidate options
OR
You can vote for the likes of Kerry (As I did) to try to keep ignorant, bible thumping capitalists out of office.

Bottom line, if you are a citizen of this country, you have a right to complain about its government all you want.

Answer 8

It is not so hard to register to vote or to go vote, so that is there voice. If they choose not to use that voice they should not complain later. And even those that vote according to party lines without research are using their voice in the way they choose to. And if that is the way they choose to go, they should not complain later either.

Answer 9

Of course, send letters, stage rallies, etc. These are all ways to show your concerns and voice your preferences. Just don't expect the government to take you seriously.

Voting is the only way you can make the government hear your voice. Otherwise you have a voice but the government may be deaf to the call.

Answer 10

Sure they have a right. But they are being hypocrites. They ***** about what they got, but they couldn't be bothered with informing themselves prior to the election and going down to vote. Personally, I'll tell 'em to stop their bitchin'. If you are not willing to be part of the process, don't complain about the outcome.

Answer 11

In reality anyone that chooses not to vote doesn't have a voice. Professional politician actually like them best, because they don't have to worry about their vote hurting them, as they dish out their goodies to those that do vote.