US Residents Don't Forget To Vote !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob_Roller]

Just a reminder, like you'd really need one, but get out and vote !!!!!

I won't go on a political thread, but if you want change, you need to exercise you right to vote, for or against the candidate of your choice .

I've been using the early voting by mail for the last 18 years, no concern about waiting in line .

[nhmaf]

I live in a small town - we have about 12 voting booths and at most, I've had to wait about 30 seconds in line, so I'm glad for that.

Just over the line in MA, there is apparently a scandal in which an investigative news crew has found documents that indicate a number of illegal immigrants are registered voters!  Harrumph!

[Bob_Roller]

Sounds like the 'illegals' left Aridzona for Massachusetts !!!!!

Maybe someone will notice this !!!!

But then probably not .  

[nhmaf]

Apparently, some of the persons they found out about have actually been registered to vote since 2008.   Some they don't know where they are, though one of them was recently discovered after he was busted for carrying a Pringle's potato chip can full of packets of crack cocaine and heroin.   A lovely crowd, for certain.. wonder which party they vote for? (which of course would be another federal crime, but who's counting)..

[Lucky_Lou]

Just out of interest what % of the Americans eligible actual bother to vote ? apathy is a big issue here and there are thoughts of making it compulsory, last General Election got about 60% the Euro Elections barely get 25%.
Lou

[Bob_Roller]

I think 60 ish % is about the average voter turnout for US elections .

(Edit.) I just saw that 51.6% of eligible voters actually exercise their right to vote in the US .

I've seen some local elections get less than 20% voter participation .

I know people in my age group, mid 50's, that have never voted in an election.

Like I said, I've gone with the early voting option .

I don't know how the average person can go to a polling place and make an informed decision to cast their vote with the sheer number of candidates and propositions, etc. that are on the ballot .

I get a booklet from a non political group in the mail before all major elections.

Even with that at hand, it took me the better part of an hour to fill out the ballot completely at home .

And to think citizens of some of these third / fourth world countries, risk their lives by standing in line to cast a vote !!!!!

[Motu]

Why hold the voting on a week day?  Over here all elections are held on a saturday, voting is not compulsory, but being on a saturday much more people are able to get to a polling booth sometime in the day.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

The US Constitution sets the date of election as the first Tuesday in November.  Been that way since 1787 and it's seemed to work pretty well for us.  Lots of folks in other countries don't seem to understand our Electoral College, but that's OK in my opinion.  I don't understand how anyone can support a monarchy, but it works for lots of countries in the world.  I'm not intending to be critical of any other culture, because every society has to do what's right for them.
 [smiley=2cents.gif]

[nhmaf]

We'll see what happens as far as participation goes based on the weather - it should be clear skies, but chilly (about 5C) tomorrow.  Preliminary estimates are for around 70% participation in our area.

We've got Mitt Romney in an indoor sports/event center in about 45 minutes away tonight, but I'm staying home to work on software..

[Motu]

 Been that way since 1787 and it's seemed to work pretty well for us.  

I think 60 ish % is about the average voter turnout for US elections .

Looks like it works pretty well for those in power - keep the apathy going.

[marcmax]

The whole problem with the entire system is that you have people making a career out of it. Every office from the top down should be a one time opportunity to better the country. No campaigning  for re-election, no raising millions of dollars to get re-elected, no currying favors to get re-elected. You should only have one chance to leave a positive mark on history. Just my $.02 worth

[nhmaf]

The thing that disappoints me most is the fact that this election cycle - over $10Billion will have been spent on all of these @#$%^ lying, deceitful campaign ads that none of us wants to watch anyway - and it is all basically money thrown down the sewer, regardless of who wins.   Imagine what could have been done if we took that $10Billion (or more) spent this year by the SuperPACs and given it to charities around the world?   All that we will have to show for it on Wednesday is a bunch of tattered campaign signs, posters, and alot of the same jerks in office that we already don't like.

I'm OK with the election process itself, and the electoral college - but this ridiculously obscene level of campaign spending has simply got to stop.

[Motu]

NZ has put an election spending cap on, and how they get that funding is strictly monitored. It's not a 2 horse race here, the little guys need a fair chance too.

[Barry]

In the uk expenditure is capped at approx. £19 million for each party and that buys them enough publicity to make us weary come election day.
Can't imagine what $10 billion would do.

[Lucky_Lou]

The problem with voter apathy is that its hard to tell the leading politicians of the leading parties apart, and Joe public has been lied to so many times.
I just want someone to
1.... tell it how it is
2.... answer the damn question
3.... stick your hand up if you get it wrong
4.... take responsibility for your actions
I dont understand the US electoral system or why their citizens settle for a 2 party state...... [smiley=wall.gif].oh i forget thats what we have had for the last 80 years.
Any society that is prepared to jail a kid for stealing a bottle of water and let an MP get away with creating false invoices for £1000,s in expense claims is fundamentally flawed
The problem is that most folk have short memories..... anyone remember Bush Jr
Lou