Hellobee Boards

If I really didn't prefer one over the other I wouldn't vote.

I do. The lesser of the evils is the way I vote, passionate or not.

I do. I'm a big third party voter. Why should only two parties that like to be polar opposites of each other define the politics in our country? Even if I don't really agree with a particular third party candidate I might vote for the more popular one, just to make the rest of the country aware that other choices exist!

Yes, definitely! If you’re talking about whether to vote for a major party candidate, you’re not just talking about the local influence your candidate might have. Could their vote swing a majority in the House or Senate? (or contribute to a majority vote?). Do they tend to vote for specific issues you are passionate about – or on the flip side, will they be voting against issues you are passionate about? Even if I’m personally “meh” on a candidate, I will vote for the party that most aligns with my belief system, because that’s how (most likely) that particular candidate will vote.

Yep, I vote in every election. I hate when I'm in a position like you, but @yoursilverlining: makes a good point about the bigger (state government) picture.

There are always downticket elections, so even in a case like in my state where there's no viable candidate from my party running against the incumbent governor, I'll still vote.

I always vote. I do it for my girls. There is always something that I can find to sway me towards the candidate that will be better for their best interest. I also want my girls to learn the importance of their civic duty... And of course I say this as someone who's vote makes zero difference in the state I live in!

@septca: a teacher in high school told us this and it stuck with me!

I do it based on party mostly unless I feel passionately or if there were ever to be a candidate in any race who was independent and shared my values or basic ideas. I wanted Hillary not Obama and I generally don't love the guy but I voted for him and campaigned for him because the last thing I wanted were more ultra conservative Supreme Court justices. Locally I would be concerned as well. I think it's okay not to vote if you are willing to accept and not complain about the consequences. It can really create an apathetic system though where only a small few have way too much power.

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I get why... Think of it as the lesser of two evils

I feel the same way as you a lot of times, that both candidates is not great and there are no other options. However, I vote anyway. I try to research and figure out who is the "lesser of two evils".

Many many countries protest and fight to death against their government for the rights to vote and they don't have it. For example, Hong Kong, the place I came from, they have peaceful protests which intensifies every year. Families took their kids out to these peaceful protests and would be stuck on the streets in the middle of summer for 7+ hours, rain or shine. Just to fight for the rights to vote. Teenagers peacefully protested outside of government building for 1 night and had a schedule/ informed the police on when they would leave, the police arrested all of them anyway. The government just ignored all of them. Thinking about it makes me tear up. They are fighting every day. I felt very emotional about it. We have this right so easily and we should not take it for granted.