Do you vote?

[Lihu]

I just got back from voting yesterday evening, and was told by the polling volunteer that including me the total number of people voting in my city was 166. This was at 6:20pm. The number of people on the lists was on the order of almost 1000 registered voters. This list does not include absentee ballots, which I was told was slightly less than 500.

As I walked away from the polling room, I noticed the other rooms were full of people doing yoga, and what I believe is a new form of Tango/Salsa Aerobics. There were probably more than 50 people doing those activities. I drove out of the full parking lot (maybe 200 cars or more?) from our community center, there were groups of people numbering in the 50s playing outside as well.

Now, I know these are not the usual November elections, but. . .has anyone had a similar experience?

[mvmac]

I go the absentee ballot route

[saevel25]

I go the absentee ballot route

Ditto!!!

[David in FL]

Always.

I encourage idiots as well as those who are not net economic contributors to society to abstain though......

[nevets88]

I'm in a densely populated area, so different experience, but when it's not a presidential election, it's nowhere near as crowded but still busy.

I'm a 5 minute walk from the polls, so yeah, I vote and but to tell you the truth, I never have time to do the amount of research I want to or at least I'm unsatisfied with the amount info on the candidates the press puts out.

[Gunther]

Always. I encourage idiots as well as those who are not net economic contributors to society to abstain though...... ;-)

My feelings exactly, on both counts

[CarlSpackler]

Yes, but I don't wear those dorky stickers.

[jamo]

I do. We had a local election a few weeks ago. There are about 15,000 people in the town, about 4,200 voted. I guess that's a solid turnout for a local election. Especially since all but one of the elections were unopposed and the two ballot questions weren't hugely important.

[newtogolf]

I always vote when there's an opportunity.  I figure whether I vote for the guy that won or lost I met my obligation as a citizen of this country.  People who don't vote and complain about elected officials (left or right) are the ones I have the biggest issues with.

[Golfingdad]

Usually, not always.  I didn't vote last night, for example, but my wife did.  She had the same experience as you, @Lihu .  She went at 7:45pm and the said the guy there looked sad and bored.  He said that there had been maybe 200 people there all day.

This was not a big election for us ... I saw a few signs on street corners the last couple of weeks, but not much else in the way of campaigning and advertising.  I didn't even realize it was election day until after work when my wife said she was going to go vote.

[iacas]

It's tough to vote in a poll when thread starters don't add them… :)

[CarlSpackler]

It's tough to vote in a poll when thread starters don't add them… :)

And I didn't even have to register. ;-)

[phan52]

I always vote, even in primaries. I had a few significant ones this year for Governor and US Rep. Incumbent Rep gave up her seat to run for Governor and lost.

[flopster]

Yep just voted in this poll

[johnthn]

I usually try to be a good citizen and vote every chance I get ;)  - I do feel though that they should advertise it more proactively, because, as some have said here, sometimes you're not even aware of the date. Why not just use other communication channels? I mean, if they would just send a Facebook reminder to people, more might show up!

[boogielicious]

I always vote. I feel it is my responsibility. Whenever we see news about someone doing or saying something completely moronic, my wife and I say to each other, "They get the same vote as us."

[inthehole]

I vote in the big elections.    Anybody know if there's any truth to the myth that if you vote often, it's more likely that you'll be selected for Jury Duty ?

[David in FL]

I always vote. I feel it is my responsibility. Whenever we see news about someone doing or saying something completely moronic, my wife and I say to each other, "They get the same vote as us."

Over the years I've come to know you to be intelligent and thoughtful, so this is NOT directed at you, but I hate when I hear this. Too often people are voting just because they think they should, rather than because of an understanding of the issues and the candidates. People like that are easily manipulated by whatever media screams the loudest in their ear. Add ignorance to my other two aforementioned disqualifiers to voting. ;-)