Is It A Waste To Write In A Candidate?

[Madi100]

Obviously, if we write in Mickey Mouse he's not going to win. So, we basically have two choices Kerry or Bush. So, what is the point of voting for someone who won't win? I think there are a lot of people not happy with the two choices, but are you "wasting" your vote by voting for someone who doesn't count?

 

[Cebhfhionn]

Absolutely! I think that even if you are trying to protest the choices that you have been given, that would be futile. No one will ever now and you'll be wasting your vote.

 

[caitycaity]

nope. i think people should vote for whomever they feel the best candidate is. who cares if it is not someone on the ballot.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by caitycaity
nope. i think people should vote for whomever they feel the best candidate is. who cares if it is not someone on the ballot.

I agree. it all depends on your objective.

 

[jrydberg]

I once wrote my own name in for a Virginia senate race (Chuck Robb vs. Oliver North). Funny thing is, I convinced 2 people at work to do the same. I tripled my support base

 

[tonyswife]

Depends on your goal. If you are not happy with either candidate but are strongly "anybody but Bush" or "anybody but Kerry" then yes, it's a waste. On the other hand, if you do not live a swing state, it really doesn't matter. I live in CA, it doesn't matter at all who I vote for, but I'm voting for Bush because I really do not like Kerry's international policies. I'm not particularly pleased with Bush as my other choice though.

In 2000, I voted for Harry Brown, for all the good that did.

 

[ripleysmom]

Realistically, yes it is a wasted vote. That being said, if you can't in all good conscience vote for one candidate or the other you should still vote. Vote for yourself if you must but you should always take time to embrace our democratic process.

 

[snoopy]

Originally posted by ripleysmom
Realistically, yes it is a wasted vote. That being said, if you can't in all good conscience vote for one candidate or the other you should still vote. Vote for yourself if you must but you should always take time to embrace our democratic process.

Well said. ITA.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

I've voted in three elections (01, 02, 03) and I've written in on at least one election in all three years. If an incumbent is running unopposed, I'll write in. If I don't like either candidate, I'll right in. And if I know nothing about either of the candidates (only happened once, Water and Soil Purification manager or something like that) I'll write in something ridiculous.

 

[spagheddie]

I don't think it's a wasted vote. I'm a registered Democrat and quite frankly I'm not that excited over Kerry representing our party. And you'd never get me to vote for Bush. I'm writing in the name of someone that I think would make an excellent president and is respected by both parties.

My wife, a registered Republican may do the same. (She's not thrilled with Bush, yet she'd never vote for Kerry.)

Is that any more of a wasted vote than my wife and I cancelling each other out? At least this way we make a choice we can be proud of.

 

[olena]

A vote for a prominent third party can help it to qualify for additional campaign funds. And there are third parties out there that would appreciate the help.

 

[KristiKelly]

I'm voting for Bush, but if not, I'd write in Dan Murphy I think he'd make a great president.

 

[Nette]

Nope not a waste. Unless your vote is the tie breaker - IOW the margin between winner and loser is 1 vote (which is 99.999999999999~% unlikely) your vote doesn't count. (and neither does anyone elses)

Even if the margin is only one vote, the electoral process is still the deciding factor.

That said, I might not vote for any president. Whether I vote for Kerry, Bush, or Mickey Mouse, it won't really matter.

Perhaps what we should do in protest of the 2 mediocre candidates is NOT vote. Can you imagine what the upheaval will be if NOONE voted for president.

 

[disneychrista]

IMO, it is a wated vote, but you have to do what you choose to do.

There are times that I do not know enough about the candidates or issues to make an educated vote, I simply leave it blank.

 

[nativetxn]

Unless the candidate you are writing in has filed the necessary paperwork (and maybe if they have) you will be wasting your vote.

 

[WDWHound]

The 1982 election of the student council president at the University of Texas was won by a write in candidate. The winner (by a landslide) was Hank The Hallucination, a charactor in a local comic strip. I am proud to say that I voted for Hank.

One of the losing, non hallucinatory cadidates was quoted as saying "I'm disgusted. No one is taking this sewriously". Gee, what was his first clue? Unfortunately his election was nullified on the grounds that he was a hallucination. As I recall, there was no student council president that year.

I say vote for Hank the Hallucination for President!