Straight ticket lever - what do you think?

[christineann]

We have the option to vote a straight ticket which does not include the presidential race. I have voted along party lines only once or twice, but I have not used the straight ticket button - I think the voter should have to push the button next to the individual candidate's name so they really have to look at each race.

Do you have that option, and if so, do you think it's a good idea?

 

[Jenn Lynn]

We have it on our ballot (fill in the arrow). I don't mind it. I have never used it though.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Years ago you could do that here, but now now. I could not imagine voting that way. I probably vote for close to as many D's as R's each election. Most of the time, for the 'lesser' offices, I almost don't even pay attention the party, and even when I do know, it really makes no difference. For the big one, the President, I probably have voted equally over he years

 

[tar heel]

I think there a lot of people in this country and on this board that check that box or pull that lever. I agree you should have to go race by race. I'm proud to say I never have voted a straight ticket. My own dear dad has never knowingly voted for a Democrat and that includes nonpartisan elections. I'm a left-leaning Unaffiliated voter who voted for four Republicans in contested, partisan races, one Republican in a nonpartisan race (see below) and left one race blank today.

I think this was the worst I've seen here for the local political orgnaizations trying to make nonpartisan races partisan. In this case, it was Republicans who ran a newspaper ad listing the Republican candidates for school board, a nonpartisan race. I voted for one of them, but she almost lost my vote b/c of that ad. Not b/c she was a Republican (the race is appropropriately nonpartisan) but b/c she allowed them to involve her in making it partisan. I asked her about it face to face and was satisfied with her answer, so I voted for her.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I actually could've done that here this time. I suppose that if I would've the Democrats who were the only candidates would've automatically been chosen as well. But, I chose to push the buttons for the heck of it.
Kim

 

[JimB.]

We do not have tha option here. Gotta' vote individually. I would not even consider it though. I've never voted straight party ticket. Surprisingly though, this year everyone I voted for WAS of the same party, but that was by coincidence, not design..........

 

[missypie]

I had never voted a straight party line until the Republicans went after Clinton. Now I do all the time.

 

[olena]

I've heard of these machines, but I've never seen one. On the electronic machines, there's no straight party button to press. Even if it did, I never vote straight party anyway.

 

[Mary Ellen]

I've lived in states where you can vote 'straight party'. Do NOT like the option. There are a number of people who don't even know who is running, they just vote 'X' party.

I'm happy that our current state doesn't have this option and we (as a state) don't run straight Republican or Democrat. Heck, we even had a Senator change parties and get re-elected a few races back.

I prefer voting the 'person', not the 'party'.

 

[fireplug]

No longer have it here and would never do it if they did. I read each office and decide on then individually.

Steve

 

[nativetxn]

You can vote a straight ticket in Michigan, too. I've never done that, though.

My mother's father always voted a straight Democratic ticket.

 

[alabamaalan]

We have it and I use it all the time because it highlights every name in the party.

Then I go and remove the usually few choices I do not want and it saves me a lot of button pushing.

Admittedly, I have voted straight ticket before though.

 

[phisigprincess]

I would have voted straight ticket if it wasn't for Arlen Spector!! Based on each candidate's merit, not merely the party!

 

[ZachnElli]

We had it in Nebraska and I know they have it in Iowa as that is the way my dad voted yesterday. I wish they had it here in Idaho since I just moved and don't know any of the other people running. I tried to do some research, but little blurbs here and there really didn't give me a real picture. I've never voted a whole ticket before. But back home I knew people running or some of their relatives. I was a fish out of water here. Hopefully, I 'll know more for next time!