I would if I knew who to vote for. I dont watch TV or get local news. The first I know of it is when there are a bunch of signs by the side of the road, saying things like "Billy Bob for Sheriff" and "Janet for minister of paperclips". None of these signs says which party the people are in or for. And I cannot remember their names by the time I have passed the sign. Then there is the mystery of where to vote? Apparently there is a place you can phone or go to that will tell you where the place is that you vote, but I dont know where the place is I need to go to, to find out where the place is I can vote. And then these elections seem to happen every 3 weeks or so.
I am sure the whole thing is done this way to discourage people from voting - it works. I simply cant be assed until it is a "real" election.
I would if I knew who to vote for. I dont watch TV or get local news. The first I know of it is when there are a bunch of signs by the side of the road, saying things like "Billy Bob for Sheriff" and "Janet for minister of paperclips". None of these signs says which party the people are in or for. And I cannot remember their names by the time I have passed the sign. Then there is the mystery of where to vote? Apparently there is a place you can phone or go to that will tell you where the place is that you vote, but I dont know where the place is I need to go to, to find out where the place is I can vote. And then these elections seem to happen every 3 weeks or so.
I am sure the whole thing is done this way to discourage people from voting - it works. I simply cant be assed until it is a "real" election.
Im terrible
I think it's called The Internet. Alternatively, the Board of Elections.
Have you noticed more outside influence in local elections?
In our county commission race we had 3 candidates raise over 15k that were backed by AFP, all the other candidates combined didn't raise 15k and 3 raised about 15k ea.
Always. I always vote in the local elections because we need better quality candidates that the idiots who typically run based on their last name dynasty. *rolls eyes*
I have noticed that we're getting more outside funds in the state seats. I know that Rep. DeBerry has been cozying up with charter and voucher money. Locally, there hasn't been a great deal of outside money mainly because Memphis is a strong Democrat city. Depending on the area, it's not worth the investment in funds. Also, some of the Rs have a better shot if they are more moderate. Like our current County Mayor is a moderate R.
I almost always do. I was really sad to miss voting in our May elections. We planned a really last minute trip to florida due to DH's work, and learned we'd miss the election. I sent in absentee ballot requests, but they arrived one day too late, so we weren't able to vote.
It may be the government employee in me, but I think being able to have a say in my government is important.
i was particularly sad about missing this election because it was the gubernatorial primary.
Post by pinkdutchtulips on Jun 9, 2014 11:01:16 GMT -5
i do ... while i don't pay property taxes, i AM concerned about things like school board elections since that will be affecting me directly as dd hits kinder.
in CA they have term limits for state elected spots and its hilarious to see the progression of politicians from one position to another. currently one of the candidates running for a US Congress spot has been termed out of the following - city council, county board of supervisors, state assembly and state senate. i've known him since his city council days when his kids rented video games and i'd have to call the house to politely remind him that his kids need to return the games they rented. good times calling local politicians for overdue video games lol
Post by laurenpetro on Jun 9, 2014 11:05:02 GMT -5
it depends on the year. some years all of the offices are uncontested. i make less of a point of getting out on those years. otherwise i do my best.
i do always make the november elections. i've only missed 1 and i caught shit from the polling woman for it. it was the year they started the scantrons and when i went in i had no idea what was going on. she said "obivously someone didn't vote last year" in that annoying sing-songy old lady voice. i pointed to the boys in the stroller and i said "yeah, i was a little busy BIRTHING MY KIDS. but thanks."
Always!! This is the beauty of vote by mail. They just automatically send you a ballot for every election. And you either mail it back or drop it off. All voting should be this easy.
Always!! This is the beauty of vote by mail. They just automatically send you a ballot for every election. And you either mail it back or drop it off. All voting should be this easy.
Always!! This is the beauty of vote by mail. They just automatically send you a ballot for every election. And you either mail it back or drop it off. All voting should be this easy.
I actually love all the old people at the polls. I always drop my ballot off so I can (1) get the sticker (2) assess turn out and (3) feel warm fuzzies at the cute old ladies.
Post by secretlyevil on Jun 9, 2014 11:23:19 GMT -5
There are no cute old ladies at FL polling places. Two years ago ( I think that was when it was) I missed the sticker so much I went and dropped off my ballet. That's all it took to remind me why I vote by mail in the first place. Craziness, I tell you, craziness.
No. I'm an IL resident living in NC because of the military.
I suppose I could still try to vote in my local elections back home, but it's a tiny election and most of them run uncontested or have been the same people winning in a landslide for as long as I can remember.
I know, on an intellectual level, that lots of people don't vote in local elections, but it seriously boggles my mind. I can't understand why people wouldn't.
Definitely on the state level. Town level, I usually do. I vote in ballot measures but sometimes I have trouble finding out about the candidates so if I can't make an informed decision I skip those races.
My state is 100% mail in ballot, so that makes it easy. Sometimes it's just one question, though, that affects me none, so I don't always mail those back. It's a really really small district. Something like 30,000 people. There were more people on the beach at the lantern lighting ceremony I went to than my entire district.
Yes, normally I do. I somehow missed the recent one though. It is a little frustrating because my area is so conservative that I feel like my vote doesn't matter. I still do it though. I figure I can't be upset with the results if I don't at least try.
I always do and am pretty disappointed at how low the turnout is. I especially like that I can vote on a Saturday.
We had a local special election for a ballot question on a Saturday. Typically, for a november election I see about 5 people voting plus maybe 10 people outside with signs. For the special election, they combined all 6 polling location, but even factoring that in, the place was packed. The parking lot was full, people were all over the place and I heard multiple people say, I don't even care what happens, I'm just glad people came out to vote.
I've never seen anything like it and have wondered if it being on a Saturday factored in.
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