How many won't vote because they believe the election is rigged?

[eallen]

Just asking. If I were Karl Rove, I might figure it was easier and less risky to sway elections by persuading Democrats that the elections are rigged, and so there is no point in voting, than by actually rigging them. And it's self-propagating.

The GOP understands the importance of turn out. One reason that the religious right is such an effective base for the GOP, besides their ideological unity, is that they go to the polls. Religiously. Literally.

2006 is crucial.

:hippie:

[Contrary1]

1. Not me.

I'll be voting no matter what.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. I agree .......

.... there's a fine line between warning about voting problems and scaring people away from the polls out of despair.

Sometimes the warnings get too shrill.

Not warning about it and being aware of it is a recipe for disaster.

A fine line, indeed.

[electropop]

3. I'll be there, hoping for some vestiges of Democracy.

In the VA primary, I was shocked when they offer me "paper or vapor." We've always had optical-scan (before that, levers), which at least offers the theoretical possibility of an audit or recount. Vapor voting is the death of Amerca.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. Just vote absentee

But no matter what don't let them take away your power to vote!

[damntexdem]

10. But will they count the absentee ballots?

Local Dems are suggesting that voting at the precinct on election day increases the likelihood that one's vote WILL be counted.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

13. This is what my local group suggested we do

I imagine it might depend on where you are located. Either way, the stupidest thing a person could do is just not vote.

[LisaM]

5. Good Lord! I hope not!

It's only by depressing voter turnout that they get the voting numbers down to a level where it can be plausibly rigged at all (that, and throwing in a wedge issue). Large voter turnout would mess up their models dramatically.

[SmokingJacket]

6. Those who don't vote are GUARANTEEING that the rigging will work.

Heck, they don't even need to bother with all that fancy hacking software... just CONVINCE everyone it's hacked!

:grr:

[MrModerate]

7. The message should be: overwhelm them!

They can only steal close elections (IMO). So the easily discouraged need to be en-couraged to add their vote to a high total that can't be swept under the digital rug.

[blm]

8. I'm certain the machines are rigged AND still invest in voter turnout

because it still makes them HAVE to go through the motions of cheating to maintain the perception they won.

The lines here in NC were incredibly long - - mostly voters pissed at BushInc.- - I have no doubt they stole NC.

[damntexdem]

9. I'll vote -- it won't matter here, anyway.

But it's easier to rig a close election. Vote and make it tougher on them.

[Feuerhexe]

11. Not as many as won't vote because

they think there is noone worth voting for.

[unpossibles]

16. while I can understand that sentiment

and where it comes from (I am a proud Independent, although definitely a lefty), I think that attitude is equally sad and foolish, and the proof is the current administration. I'd say Bushco, Inc. has done everything possible to exemplify just how different the major parties are.

I used to feel that they were the same - and in some people they are - but the past 5 years has shown me what a difference there is.

I hear people say they won't vote out of apathy and I think that it's the laziest goddamn bullshit excuse I've ever heard. If you want to throw your vote away, at least show up and do a write in or make a well educated third party vote as a message - sure your candidate won't win that way either, but at least it gives support to some new ideas. people that choose not to vote at all are saying they don't want their rights, any of them, in my opinion. Fuck, they could vote for their dog and at least it's getting off their butts.

[Feuerhexe]

18. Don't get me wrong, I personally vote and I think there is a difference

on many things that are important. I'm also a little i independent and for lack of a better word to define my politics, I fall into the liberal camp. Perhaps more so in this era then I might if things were more balanced between personal and business interests (or however you want to frame it).

I have to admit to being more of a cynical voter than a believer. I tend to think that the differences are mostly generated by so called "pandering to the base" rather then by personal integrity (for some, not all). As long as the "base" mostly agrees with me and holds some sway over the Democratic Party, then I have something to cling to when I vote. However, I do think that (in general) our representatives are not all that representative. They almost all come from a certain walk of life and that makes things very lopsided in terms of what interests get represented in our Congress. In any case, as is often said about such things, voting does not hurt me and it certainly may help me. Besides when I wake up on the un-cynical side of the bed, I view it as part of my responsibility as a citizen.

I made the comment because, I hate to say it, but the current state of things in terms of the Democratic Party figuring out whats been done to them and responding effectively, is making it quite hard for me to convince certain of my loved ones that they should vote.

[unpossibles]

20. I totally understand and agree

that we the People (at least we the not rich people) are not very well represented. I too have been moved further left by the current imbalance and trend toward corporate fascism, and also agree that the Dems (or whomever) need to ramp up their message a little, to stand up to the NeoCons, and to be more themselves. That said, however, what happened to Dean (the Dean scream) illustrates what happens to people who try to be more human and show energy and conviction.

All of that said - and I was not trying to attack you and am sorry if it came across that way - it truly saddens me that voter turn out is relatively low in America, and I think we as a Nation have gotten lazy about holding our alleged Representatives responsible for their actions. It makes me angry also because it benefits the Corporatists to have Joe and Jane Sixpack not show up to voice their opinion, and I think the powers that be know and exploit this.

I will say however, that I feel more and more people ARE waking up to what has happened due to apathy, and hope they continue to do so. So I guess I am a cynical optimist.

:)

[John Gauger]

12. I'm not sure

I don't know whether or not I will vote. I am 18 and it would be my first time. I havce been reading about the integrity of our elections and they have not been secure since 1972. I really don't see what my voting will accomplish. They know so many ways of eliminating our votes. Maybe I will go and look out for malfeasance.

[april]

17. just go and vote it will make a difference

if everyone would just vote ..let give them Hell w/ a overwhelming attendance in voting

[blondeatlast]

19. If you don't vote, don't bitch...especially at DU.

Nothing is a graver insult to what this nation is supposed to be about than not voting.

Maybe it's tough, maybe you have to hold your nose, but I don't have an ounce of respect for anyone who won't cast a ballot.

If you can't stand anyone on the ballot, you can abstain on all races.

Just get your ass to the polling place.

Primary day today, did you vote for your preferred candidate?

[stepnw1f]

14. Hell... VOTE! (nt)

[Zynx]

15. If a person does that they may as well shoot themselves for all I care.

They're an idiot and don't deserve to vote.

[Red Right and BLUE]

21. I will always vote. eom