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It’s the first Tuesday in November, and for us Americans, that means it’s election day. So get out there and vote. It might not be a presidential election, but there is always important local stuff going on. And a lot of it will impact your life more then what goes on in Washington.

Your vote counts, but only if you cast that ballot. Even if you don’t like any of the guys running, write-in for chthulu or someone/thing else. Participate in the process.

Plus it lets you post smugly in political threads for another year.

While I still marvel at the oddness of the American political system (I mean, you're 6 seats away from having a Republican majority in both Houses despite having a Democrat president, how the feth does that even work? ), I approve of this post! Political apathy does no one any good, so go and get involved, people!

Although if Cthulu ends up with a majority thanks to this thread, questions will be asked...

It's against the law to write-in people in Oklahoma, and damn near impossible to get a third party on the ballot. Democracy my ass.

Still voted last week, not that it will make a difference.

I voted, if only to attempt to keep the dumb from taking over.

My feelings;

 Paradigm wrote:
While I still marvel at the oddness of the American political system (I mean, you're 6 seats away from having a Republican majority in both Houses despite having a Democrat president, how the feth does that even work? ),

Because our governance is supposed to be difficult. We're still holding strong after all these years.

I approve of this post! Political apathy does no one any good, so go and get involved, people!

Agreed. VOTE!

Although if Cthulu ends up with a majority thanks to this thread, questions will be asked...

Cthulu=Republicans *

*am I doing that right?

Is this the vote to vote for someone to stand in a vote to be voted as someone who can then be voted on to ve voted in to an election to be elected as someone who might be considered to be a person people can vote for?

[/whatamericanpoliticslooklike]

Go Reps!

I still need to turn in my ballot, but I voted more one the issues than I did the people (as in, I only voted for about 4 peopled, but marked one way or another on ALL proposed laws or tax changes)

Still waiting for a candidate to keep me from cheching a straight party ticket.

Maybe one year.

Nevertheless, I'm going to go do my part.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
I still need to turn in my ballot, but I voted more one the issues than I did the people (as in, I only voted for about 4 peopled, but marked one way or another on ALL proposed laws or tax changes)

So does this vote will the purpose of a referrendum, consulting people on actual legislation/decisions, as well as an election then? Or is it more an opinion poll type thing in that regard?

Alot of elections also contain local ballot initiatives (raising levies for local schools, legalizing pot, allowing casinos, stuff like that)

Done.

Now, is wearing my "I Voted" sticker. Does that mean I am helpfully reminding people to vote, or is it me bragging and lording my superiority over you?

I heard a mini-controversy in a couple of media sources about this. LOL.

I voted for twilight sparkle, because ifor all my options are cartoon characters, I might as well vote Mt favorite

 Easy E wrote:
Done.

Now, is wearing my "I Voted" sticker. Does that mean I am helpfully reminding people to vote, or is it me bragging and lording my superiority over you?

I heard a mini-controversy in a couple of media sources about this. LOL.

Hate to say it, but it's the latter rather than the former IMO. Follow Jesus' advice and pray in private, so to soeak.

I just voted for the first time, although I had to do absentee voting as I'm at college right now.

 Easy E wrote:
Done.

Now, is wearing my "I Voted" sticker. Does that mean I am helpfully reminding people to vote, or is it me bragging and lording my superiority over you?

I heard a mini-controversy in a couple of media sources about this. LOL.

The two are not mutually exclusive. People need to be reminded, and being an active participant in the electoral process is something to be proud off. Now if you are hanging out with people who can’t vote, just to rub in the fact that you can and did, you might run into some problems. But I doubt that’s the case.

 whembly wrote:
Cthulu=Republicans *

*am I doing that right?

You master the art

A friend of mine in VA told me about this. I have no dog in this fight however, so best of luck to all involved parties I guess

Voted republican
Senate I am guessing 51 Rep's to 49 Dem's

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
I voted for twilight sparkle, because ifor all my options are cartoon characters, I might as well vote Mt favorite

I love this. shoulda voted for soundwave...

I pretty much voted strait D, just because I live in a red state, and like chaos(and dislike the gerrymandering we have experienced).

I voted today, and I farted today
Where I live, neither amounts to s--t, but they're both still important to do.

God, I crack myself up

I forgot to send in for my absentee ballot. I wanted to see what it said about the Louisiana constitutional amendment that affects a single parish.

 Platuan4th wrote:
I wanted to see what it said about the Louisiana constitutional amendment that affects a single parish.

Some states have the dumbest criminals. Some the dumbest cops. Others the dumbest drivers.

Posters. I give you the state with the dumbest constitutional amendment

Is it wrong if I'm not really motivated significantly on elections? I just can't really feel motivated on this sort of stuff because I don't know much about the individuals and I really can't help but feel like, unless there's multiple republican candidates for the same thing, my vote will largely be meaningless because it's Texas.

StarTrotter:
Nah, that's about average. Our system has caused a gridlocked, extremest system, where individuals have little say. Gerrymandering, and our FPTP system has made is almost impossible for a third party candidate to win in national, and even state level, elections.

 StarTrotter wrote:
Is it wrong if I'm not really motivated significantly on elections?

It's not wrong, I'm the same way. I rarely actually vote for people, I vote to vote on issues. I've turned in more than one ballot with absolutely no candidates voted upon.

 Co'tor Shas wrote:
StarTrotter:
Nah, that's about average. Our system has caused a gridlocked, extremest system, where individuals have little say. Gerrymandering, and our FPTP system has made is almost impossible for a third party candidate to win in national, and even state level, elections.

Yep, Madison specifically designed the system, not to fail, but to be very difficult to get things done. Basically There has to be a significant NEED for something to be done, for it to get done.


I've seen political theorists talk about the reasons we still "only" have 2 parties, and to me, it's pretty interesting stuff. They often cite things like Labour in the UK, and how new parties spring up in the UK, or Germany out of "major" strife that existing parties are incapable of handling at that moment in time. Contrast that with the US, where, let's say we're talking about Abortion. No one was really prepared to talk the subject, or take a stance on it when it first became an issue, however each party/members of each party were "fairly" quick to say "our party stands here on this issue" and each new issue that comes up, the parties tend to be quick to decide where they stand.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Co'tor Shas wrote:
StarTrotter:
Nah, that's about average. Our system has caused a gridlocked, extremest system, where individuals have little say. Gerrymandering, and our FPTP system has made is almost impossible for a third party candidate to win in national, and even state level, elections.

Yep, Madison specifically designed the system, not to fail, but to be very difficult to get things done. Basically There has to be a significant NEED for something to be done, for it to get done.


I've seen political theorists talk about the reasons we still "only" have 2 parties, and to me, it's pretty interesting stuff. They often cite things like Labour in the UK, and how new parties spring up in the UK, or Germany out of "major" strife that existing parties are incapable of handling at that moment in time. Contrast that with the US, where, let's say we're talking about Abortion. No one was really prepared to talk the subject, or take a stance on it when it first became an issue, however each party/members of each party were "fairly" quick to say "our party stands here on this issue" and each new issue that comes up, the parties tend to be quick to decide where they stand.

I'd suggest watching CPG grey's videos on this:

 StarTrotter wrote:
Is it wrong if I'm not really motivated significantly on elections? I just can't really feel motivated on this sort of stuff because I don't know much about the individuals and I really can't help but feel like, unless there's multiple republican candidates for the same thing, my vote will largely be meaningless because it's Texas.

The only thing add to the choir is a lot of times county commissions try to sneak in levies with little publicity, so it's worth keeping an eye out for that so you can try and avoid taxes you don't think are worth paying for.

"Tim Scott wins US Senate race and is firSt African-American to win statewide in SC since Reconstruction."

So, good news then?