What motivates people to vote?

[disgruntella]

When I first thought of this question, I intended to make a poll with two choices:

A) Voting explicitly FOR a candidate/party
B) Voting AGAINST the other candidate/party

I was thinking of "people" unlike folks on DU or FR -- people who don't spend much time thinking about politics but still show up on election day. However, I am also interested in DUers' individual answers, as well as general thoughts on the topic.

So I didn't make it a poll. And of course I realize the two answers above are not the ONLY answers -- people are influenced by group membership (churches, unions, etc.), the media, etc. I'm also going to cop out and not give my own opinion just yet, except to say that in 2004 I think it will be reason B that will get the vote out, both against and for Bush, because of the Bush administration's "miserable failure" (thanks DG)

Your thoughts?

[TacticalPeek]

1. Your wife tells you to?

:toast:

[Wetzelbill]

2. You're pissed off and ashamed you didn't vote in the last election

[whirlygigspin]

3. Sex

most people couldn't find DC on a map.
Give em a handsome type, and they'll
get the votes. Just look at former Vice President
Quale, a bigger air head, i've never seen.
P-O-T-A-T-O-E!

Still don't beleive me? ask Gov.Gangbang!

[rbnyc]

4. People don't vote.

Personally, I vote both for and against...generally I vote for a Democrat during the primaries and against the Republican after the primaries.

We spend so much time concerned about electability, yet we're measuring electability based on elections in which such a tiny percentage of eligible voters actually participated. In other words, whatever it is that inspires people to vote, we haven't found it yet, so imitating ourselves in the past isn't going to help.

[caledesi]

5. Disgust.

[zeemike]

6. The question should be what will…

There are a lot of people that will vote for the reasons you stated. But those are not the ones that the Democrats need to win. The ones that will guarantee demo victories are those that are energized by a leader that they have faith in to make changes in Washington. Some one like Bobby Kennedy for example.
If the Demos reject that kind of leader out of fear of lousing then most of the idealistic ones will just say that it is all rigged anyway and stay home or at best vote green. Just like they did in 2002. All of the candidates in 02 were falling all over themselves trying to be bush lite and they just said why bother.

[slappypan]

7. positive, inclusive vision of the future

The candidates during my lifetime that seemed to most strongly motivate people to vote for them were Reagan and Clinton. Both of these candidates were optimistic, had very upbeat messages about America, and told ordinary people that they mattered and were important. I think when people are disgusted they don't bother to vote; most Americans are non-voters.

[SuffragetteSal]

13. I agree - hope

hope for a better future - a feeling that even one person can make a difference. Fraud,lying and stealing elections will not help people want to get out and vote. That is why we need to stand strong together and make it happen.

Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

[Kamika]

8. When it feels that it matters

sadly the electorate system flushes that down the drain

[uptohere]

9. if the past is prologue...

...its their wallets.

If a candidate is capable of getting the people to think that they will be better off with him in office, they go out and vote for him. See Clinton, Bush I, Carter(when he won), Reagan etc.

If a candidate is capable of making the people think that the other guy will lighten his wallet, they go out and vote against the evil. See Humphrey, McGovern, Carter(when he lost), Dukakis etc.

Its generally a bit of both. The better the case made, the higher the voter turnout.

[RainDog]

10. against- wish it was more for

at the presidential level, I vote against, for the most part. that's because I know I'm more "liberal" than many Americans, or so it seems, and I vote for the party which seems more interested in social justice, inclusion, and a recognition that government is not a bad thing in and of itself...it is, in fact, what allows us to have at least the semblance or hope of democracy.

actually, I think I'm moderate, as far as the world goes, because I think there is good in both public and private initiatives. however, I must be more fundamental than the fundamentalists in my idea that humans are inherently xenophobic hoarders who need to have regulation to insure some fairness.

I would like a democratic candidate who can offer a vision of a future...via a present in which America invests the same amount of research and commitment to alternative/renewable energy as the key to a sustainable future as Kennedy did with the goal of putting a (hu)man on the moon.

I think an inspiring dem candidate, for me, would position him or herself as someone who will fight the war on terrorism through aggressive initiatives in energy as a form of "self defense" and as a way to get the oil companies to stop controlling the office of the prez.

I would like a prez who supports a strong defense of America by shoring up our own borders and harbors and industries against sabotage, while recognizing nothing is foolproof...and I know it's nearly politically impossible for someone to say nothing is foolproof.

in combination with self defense, I would like a prez who is willing and able to reach out to our longtimes allies and friends to work to make the world a safer place via international accord on issues of terrorism and the Israel/Palestinian issue and who would not be a unilateralist.

I would like a prez who recognizes that it is time for America to join the rest of the modern, civilized world by offering universal health care, a living minimum wage, who would eliminate offshore residency for American corporations, who would educate the American public about the need for a state which is stronger than any corporation to avoid fascism, as FDR realized.

I would like a dem candidate who would repudiate the imperialism of Wolfowitz and Cheney (and sock puppet Bush) and who would use our enormous influence and wealth to create a better world for Americans, and by extension, for the world.

[LastDemInIdaho]

11. When laws start infringing on my harmless activities and rights

That started it and now it's habit.

[janekat]

12. It was something I didn't think twice about - always just did

That's ONE thing I can say for my parents - they always voted and made it seem like it was an important obligation. Everyone else I knew also did. Ironically, I think they're sorry now - becasue they're rabid Republicans and can't stand the fact I'm a Democrat.

[Robin Hood]

14. Poverty, intelligence, empowerment,

An understanding of the American governmental process, and the realization that you CAN make a difference. Well, that is until the 2000 selection occured.

[disgruntella]

15. Gosh, this thread is still alive?

;)

Thanks to all who replied.

[MrPrax]

16. Vote?

They're cattle calls every four years...
Policies and Issues go on 24/7 and unfortunately that will be a gap that 'democracy' will not fill...

[disgruntella]

17. That level of cynicism must be comfortable

All moral superiority, all the time. You just forgot the word "sheeple." :eyes: