Election question

Topic: Election question (Read 2446 times) previous topic - next topic

Election question

Reply #15 – November 05, 2008, 02:22:20 AM

well, everyone who votes gets a voters registration card. not having one tells you something.

Election question

Reply #16 – November 05, 2008, 02:50:40 AM

Quote from: jcassity;241760

well, everyone who votes gets a voters registration card. not having one tells you something.

I never even thought about it, mostly because I dint know. I dont live at home now so even of I did get one it would probibly get lost before I got it like most things. I wish I knew before, there has been atleast 2 other times I could vote this year and didnt get one for what I know. So that would have been a detector there. I just idnt know since this was my first election... Sucks.

Election question

Reply #17 – November 05, 2008, 03:45:45 AM

To the OP:

Essentially, each state gets the number of Electoral Votes equal to their representation in the Congress. How those pledged voters act is determined by the rules of each state. A few states split votes proportionally to the popular vote, most states are 'winner take all'.

While historically, and traditionally, the Electoral College has reflected the popular vote, there have been a few deviations. And yes, the EC could choose an arbitrary candidate if they so chose.

The Electoral College was originally designed as insulation against the unwashed masses, and it serves that purpose today.

There have been attempts to abolish the EC in years past, usually when the EC doesn't reflect the popular vote. Like many other quirky traits of the USA, this one will probably remain in place for years to come.

Election question

Reply #18 – November 05, 2008, 06:25:17 AM

meh who knows maybe someone else willt ake office in less than 4 years... i honestly dislike the entire political campaign and it starting over a YEAR before election time. the constant bashing of other parties not only for presidential campaigns but even state and county seats and so forth. i say screw the electorial we arnt german we dont have to make it more complex than it already is... we vote.. they count.. the total speaks itself. simple as that

Election question

Reply #19 – November 05, 2008, 07:17:24 AM

I agree with IPSD, I don't usually vote either. I really feel that it's basically rigged anyway. Besides, I didn't like either of our choices this year, and I am not going to be held responsible for putting the guy in that screws us up even more.

Besides, it's not really the President who runs this country, it's Congress and the Senate.

Election question

Reply #20 – November 05, 2008, 11:03:33 AM

History was never my strongest subject but I do recall feeling helpless that the electoral college can go against the wishes of the voting public. That was a wake-up call in American History class in high school. Here we are, seniors and almost ready to vote, and then we get told that technically our vote doesn't really count. It's enough to drive people to apathy.

What IS important about voting, though, is not necessarily the national election but the state and local issues that WILL directly affect you, your pocketbook, and the way you live. To ignore these factors is not only irresponsible, it's contradictory to the foundation of this country.

Every citizen's civic responsibility is to vote. The freedom to vote is one of the reasons that the U.S. was founded. Listen...we go to war to protect this basic right. We have soldiers fighting for us RIGHT NOW to keep this right free. How can you support the soldiers and NOT vote? That's totally illogical. No amount of excuses will ever justify not voting. Wash your hands all you want...but if you don't vote then you obviously have no understanding of your place in society. And that's a shame.

Election question

Reply #21 – November 05, 2008, 11:09:18 AM

Quote

the electoral college can go against the wishes of the voting public

And it has happened....more than once

Quote

What IS important about voting, though, is not necessarily the national election but the state and local issues that WILL directly affect you, your pocketbook, and the way you live

+1886885

Election question

Reply #22 – November 05, 2008, 11:29:02 AM

That's how I feel, in the end the effects you see the strongest are at the local level....and interestingly enough, it's far easier to have influence on that outcome, pickets, protests etc make much more of a difference in a small town issue.