Overheard at Culver's tonight:

Cashier: Did you vote tonight?

Customer: No, I didn't vote. Politics isn't my thing."

What???? I don't understand why someone would choose not to vote. The girl who took care of me, said she was busy this morning babysitting for her aunt, so the aunt could vote and she was planning to be at Culver's, until 8PM, when the polls would be closed, so she didn't vote either. She had no idea what time the polls opened up this morning and didn't know that she could have voted early. My daughter Sarah, did NOT want to miss out on voting and did all the research to make an informed decision on how/when to vote.

I just don't get it. I would never miss out on an opportunity to vote for president.

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 - 10:25 pm:

I've begged and pleaded with friends to vote, and was successful with 2 of my friends who otherwise would not have done so, but so many more have that attitude... "I don't know enough about politics..." "Both candidates suck..." "Why bother, it doesn't really count for anything..."
I don't understand these arguments, especially when I turned 18 in 2000, and voted in the election that was decided by 537 votes!! When I was a sophomore, our Social Studies teacher asked my class of over 30 kids "How many of you plan to vote in the 2000 election?" (This was our grad year, so a big deal to us.) TWO of us raised our hands, and the rest said they didn't care. Why?! It infuriates me!

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 - 10:57 pm:

My feelings exactly!

By Colette on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - 06:23 am:

I would prefer that people who don't bother to educate themselves on the issues and candidates, stay home and not vote.

I have voted in every election since I was 18, and we are bringing up our children to do the same.

By Kate on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - 07:55 am:

Ditto Colette.

By Kaye on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - 08:37 am:

I agree with colette. But unless you live under a rock, you know stuff about who is up for president. I think you lose your right to complain if you don't bother to vote.

On that, this was a very exciting year for our family. We always vote, we always watch the returns (comes from growing up in a small town). My kids have been with me many times. But this year we got the opportunity to caucus, which is a weird system in itself. I took my kids to see that process. I was the caucus secretary. It was all a huge learning experience. Next year I may work on someones campaign

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - 08:50 am:

I agree with Colette also. I don't understand not wanting to make an educated choice though.

I didn't vote once though, and felt the way some of your friends did Crystal. I felt bad about it, but I couldn't in good conscience vote for either (Bush/Gore). I thought they were both terrible choices, so I didn't vote that year.

My DH was educated about the choices, no doubt, but chose not to vote. I personally think he couldn't bring himself to vote Democratic, and he knew that was the best choice this time around. He couldn't vote for McCain because he didn't think he was right for the job, but a strict Republican upbringing (I think) kept him from voting Democrat. I was disappointed!

By Reeciecup on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - 09:09 am:

Ditto Colette. If you are not going to make the effort to educate yourself on some of the issues and the candidates' positions, then please don't vote. You will only be basing your vote on biases, misconceptions, or (ahhhhhhhh!) pure party affiliation.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - 01:19 pm:

Deanna, it's interesting you say that about your DH. My family is all very Republican, I'm the only registered Democrat as far as I know. When discussing the candidates with my grandmom, and trying to convince her why she should vote Obama, she said "I don't think I'll fare poorly if he wins, but I HAVE to vote Republican." I don't understand her mindset, she agreed with all of my arguments for Obama, and against McCain, but in the end felt she had to continue to vote her party ticket, as if it were a sin to switch! Mind you, she has stopped giving me such a hard time for being a Dem, she even bought the kids little Dem PEZ dispensers and Beanie Babies to celebrate this election, LOL! I made it a point when going to the polls to tell the kids GiGi was not voting for the same person I was, and that's ok, because they jumped on the Obama bandwagon with me immediately. I don't want them to think, as I did in my first election, that they have to vote the same way their parents did... only that they HAVE TO VOTE!

By Cat on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - 03:46 pm:

I have three very close friends who didn't vote because they've never registered in CO, although they've all lived her 10-15 years! All three have affiliation with the military in some way and all three have definite opinions (which they voiced) as to who should have won this election. I told all three that since they didn't vote they don't have a right to complain.

Honestly, I believe as an American it's not only our right but our responsibility to educate ourselves on the candidates and the issues and get out there and vote. The system doesn't work unless you work with it. But like Collette said, if you DON'T educate yourself, stay home. We don't need people voting for or against someone or something for stupid or ignorant reasons.