With the U.S. Election approaching, we’re working on what should be a very interesting campaign-themed feature for Splash Page. Meanwhile, I have some finely tuned wheels in motion for a pretty cool Election-themed feature for the site here, too. Be sure to check back tomorrow morning, bright and early, to see what I’m talking about.
Until then, however, I have a question to pose to the masses. It’s something I’m curious about, and would love to read what people have to say. Basically, my question is this:
Would you rather have someone cast their vote with very little knowledge of the candidates and their policies, and with only the bits and pieces of information they’ve gleaned from occasional campaign advertisements or (however slanted) news bites, or have that person not cast a vote at all?
I’m asking you to take an an all-or-nothing approach with this, folks. Tell me what you believe is preferable: “voting dumb” or not voting at all.
Let me know what you think!
10 responses so far ↓
1 Ronan // Nov 3, 2008 at 4:36 pm
That depends on whether or not the person voting “dumb” is going to vote the same way as me. That may sound selfish, but it’s the truth. Whether you are informed or not if you are voting the same way I intend on voting I will let you run wild with your inaccuracies and conspiracy theories. Why? Because it benefits me. It is only the uninformed masses voting against me that are my concern, and I will attempt to (re)educate them to the best of my abilities. Again, because it benefits me!
2 maczter // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I would prefer that voters not vote at all if they’re not going to bother putting any effort into it aside from watching commercials and listening to sound bites.
Would you pick your spouse based solely on the info he or she chose to provide to you on a dating site?
Me neither.
3 RM // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:50 pm
@Ronan Your honesty is appreciated, as always!
@maczter That’s pretty much in line with my own feelings on the issue, too — which is why it frustrates me so much to see everyone pushing the “go, vote” message instead of what they SHOULD be pushing: The “go, LEARN and vote” message.
4 Elisabeth // Nov 4, 2008 at 4:32 am
I lean towards not voting at all — while I would LIKE to think it benefits me and my candidate, I know the reality is that people make snap judgments based on an ugly sound bite. “OMG! Sarah Palin is just like me!” “Obama accepts money from terrorists!”
Or they’re like my cousin, who has to “vote with my faith” but lets her church make that decision for her, instead of researching and choosing who *she* thinks is the better person.
I’m a big believer in research. Research everything. Go to Wikipedia if nothing else! Don’t vote just because someone tells you to, vote because you understand and care about the issues.
5 Thud // Nov 4, 2008 at 7:50 am
Voting is how we decide what our national priorities are, and the results of elections are a matter of life and death. Voting without having an understanding of the issues is immoral and irresponsible.
I don’t advocate literacy tests, poll taxes, or other tests for voting; I think everyone should have a right to vote even if people vote stupidly. But as a matter of personal preference, if you don’t have a clue it’s wrong to vote.
6 Kate // Nov 4, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I’ve had some people tell me it doesn’t matter what the candidates say because, once in office, they can only do what congress lets them do. So they tell me they’re voting for a party or for a face like theirs. BULL*%#T. Cast your ballot for something you believe in. If you’re too lazy to find out where a candidate stands, DON’T VOTE.
7 Carly // Nov 4, 2008 at 2:53 pm
In my mind this option shouldn’t even exist. There are so many resources out there to educate yourself on the issues each candidate represents that there is no excuse for a “dumb” vote (or, for that matter, using a lack of knowledge as an excuse for not voting).
I feel particularly passionate about this because I used to be one of those people, and I’ve been ashamed of it ever since. I’ve changed my tune since then, and there’s no reason people shouldn’t be able to learn from my mistake.
8 Paul // Nov 4, 2008 at 3:29 pm
If you don’t feel like voting, then I’m not going to force you. I don’t know why people get so mad when others don’t vote. I’d rather them not voting if they don’t care at all about their fate.
9 Ronan // Nov 4, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I realized I didn’t include one of my favorite particulars that I like to mention in “to vote or not to vote” convo’s.
As Americans we have very few patriotic responsibilities: paying taxes, serving in the military, jury duty, and voting. Isn’t it sad that many citizens of this great nation avoid these activities like the plague rather than participating in them with a patriotic fervor!? Can you really consider yourself an “American Citizen” if you avoid the responsibilities that come with the privileges that title conveys??
10 Russ Rogers // Nov 4, 2008 at 6:07 pm
It’s our civic duty to vote. That goes for both smart people AND stupid people. It’s the height of elitism to say, “Stupid People shouldn’t vote.” Who gets to define and judge what is “stupid”? I’m sure there are MENSA folks who think that anybody with an IQ under 140 is “stupid.” I’m sure some of them would just as soon see no “stupid” people (with an IQ of only 135 or less) vote.
Some people define “stupid voting” as anybody who disagrees with them. And so we have active efforts in this country to suppress the vote! To make sure that voters with a demographic that might lean away from your candidate stay away from the polls. “Let’s try to trick Democrats into thinking the voting day in November 5!” “Maybe we can convince Latino Voters that Police Officers are at the polls looking for people with outstanding traffic tickets!” From my perspective, voter suppression is an act of treason! Despicably unpatriotic.
Here’s the deal. It’s up to the parties and candidates to spell out their positions clear enough that even the STUPID and UNINFORMED people can get it.
We can’t have tests at the polls to make sure people are smart enough or informed enough to vote. We’ve tried that. It turned out that the only people getting tested were black. Turns out that was another form of (treasonous and unconstitutional) voter suppression.
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