Does your vote count?

[ZachnElli]

My state is only one of two states that splits it's electoral votes, so I do feel as though my vote counts.

 

[Michelle67]

Not bloody likely, but of course I will be voting anyhow.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I live in MA and no I don't believe my vote will count next week. However, I will still be voting. If Obama wins, I want to have earned the right to complain for the next four years.

This is why I vote, so I can complain.

 

[TKERBELL]

2000 election - 'nuff said!!! Popular vote - I think not!!!

 

[NVDisMom]

The vote counts because it's a show of force.

If only 25 Million people voted, the government could do anything without fear considering only 25 million care. (Say removing right to bear arms).


Now if 200 million people vote, the government will be careful knowing trying something the people disagree with could cause a revolution.

Every vote counts.

I agree with this. Plus, I am in a battleground state, my vote certainly counts here. I feel we all need to be more involved in our gov't so that our leaders understand that we will, and can, hold them accountable for how they are representing (or misrepresenting as the case seems to be more and more) us. The more citizens that make their voice heard, despite the electoral college, the more Washington is forced to listen (or blatantly ignore).

 

[cinmell]

This is why I vote, so I can complain.

 

[RadioNate]

Dh and I have had this arguement over and over. We are a "divided" household when it comes to our vote. (With the exception of this year....where we agree). However, dh believes that, because we live in Illinois, and it's considered a "democratic" state, that if anyone were to vote republican, that their votes don't really matter anyway. I still think that it is our duty as Americans to vote, regardless.

For those of you in a specific Red or Blue state, and are voting opposite of your states declaration...do you think your vote truly counts?

I live in FL now so it is different. Swing state and all but when I was in Texas and didn't want to vote for GWB (2nd term) I absolutely felt my vote didn't count.

I really don't like the Electoral College winner take all.

 

[Goofyluver]

Mine does.

New Mexico is a swing state...and has been the last several elections.

Bush won the state by less than 6000 votes in 2004. And Gore won the state by 360 votes in 2000.

My vote absolutely counts.

My son and I had this conversation just the other day...that even if our votes don't line up with the majority, this is our way to exercise our voices. And we need to take the opportunity and do it with pride...otherwise it's as if we're saying we don't care about the outcome.

 

[BillSears]

My vote doesn't count since I'm in a deep blue state.

So I'll be voting Libertarian just to show that I'm not really pleased with either candidate.

 

[burberryplaid]

No my vote doesn't count but I do it anyway. I would like to hope if the candidate I am not supporting wins they'll consider every vote for their opponent as someone they need to work harder to please. I realize that is an idealistic view because I think most politicians could give two figs if someone voted against them or not, especially if they got in to office anyhow, but maybe it matters to some..

 

[Sneezie]

I'm from Louisiana so my blue vote will not hold much weight in this red state.

However, like a one night stand... it may not make much of a difference in the long run, but I sure felt good while I was doing it.

 

[Becky2005]

Dh and I have had this arguement over and over. We are a "divided" household when it comes to our vote. (With the exception of this year....where we agree). However, dh believes that, because we live in Illinois, and it's considered a "democratic" state, that if anyone were to vote republican, that their votes don't really matter anyway. I still think that it is our duty as Americans to vote, regardless.

For those of you in a specific Red or Blue state, and are voting opposite of your states declaration...do you think your vote truly counts?

Wait...you are in a Chicago 'burb -- of course the vote counts...just vote again & again until it does!!!!

I know how he feels though -- I've been really tempted to vote for a completely different party than the top 2 but feel like I'm just wasting my vote if I do that. I did do it one year when I didn't like the top 2 contenders but literally just picked a name because I knew it wouldn't matter (although I think communist party was on the ballot -- I knew I didn't want to vote for that!), I have no idea what party I voted for though. At that point, I was just more interested in the local things that were on the ballot as my vote *would* make a difference on that & I don't think you can just pick & choose which items you are voting for. You pretty much have to put some sort of vote in for everything.

This year is too close so I will be voting for one of the top 2 contenders vs. a 3rd party which I really would like to see in the White House to *really* shake things up because I don't believe Obama is going to change anything much and I don't believe McCain will either. Same old story that it's been for the last several years since I remember Junior High the mock election we had between Carter & Reagan -- I think the campaigns have been the same between the 2 parties. If things are going good overall -- whoever is running is going to keep things the same; if things are going bad -- whoever is running is going to change things.

The states always end up Red or Blue -- have they ever ended up Green/Purple/Yellow? or what other color would they use for a 3rd party? Do they even know what to do if that actually happened?

 

[Kathi OD]

Sure they count. Maybe they don't seem to count because too many Republicans stay home thinking their vote won't count. Personally, that argument for not voting never made sense to me.

 

[legalsea]

I'm from Louisiana so my blue vote will not hold much weight in this red state.

However, like a one night stand... it may not make much of a difference in the long run, but I sure felt good while I was doing it.

 

[DISUNC]

Sometimes YES!
Sometime NO

 

[lustergirl]

Obama will carry New York State. I am voting for a change in this country and am proud to be voting for such a great man!

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

My vote doesn't count since I'm in a deep blue state.

So I'll be voting Libertarian just to show that I'm not really pleased with either candidate.

I like that answer. I'm in a blue state that will never, ever go red, so in national elections, my vote is a waste of time. However, I do feel I can have an effect in State and local races and on local referendums, so I still make sure I vote. Except for a few federal policies (namely tax policy), I think the local stuff affects me more on a day-to-day basis anyway.

 

[wdhinn89]

No, my vote will not count.

I live in New York and I will vote for McCain with great pride.

 

[MoniqueU]

I'm from california and a fiscal conservative. No my vote doesn't count and just our state government has run our state into double digit deficits with the highest in the nation by a landslide. I vote and vote and vote and it doesn't do any good, too many people here want the government to take care of them and it's not working, they can't even take care of anything. As far as the presidential election my vote is just lost but it makes me feel good.