what if i don't want to vote

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Forums › Politics › what if i don't want to vote

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Ultimate Geek
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#550598 27-Nov-2011 16:02

NonprayingMantis:
rhy7s:
codyc1515: found the Libertarianz party which seems to align with my views.

From reading their policies it sounds like you might want to check out how Somalia's going.

I didn't realise somalia had a libertarian government. Everything I have read suggests it is anarchy there, not a libertarian government. there is a [retty big difference between libertarianism and anarchy

You think? Maybe you could say libertarianism is anarchy with property rights, there's hardly a great divide, perhaps anarchy's a little less mean spirited? I suppose you could say Somalia is operating under a xeer system at the moment.

simplestuff

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Master Geek
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#550618 27-Nov-2011 17:15

The problem with not voting

With only 65 % of the voters turning out many conclusions can be drawn.

With National getting approximately 50% Does that not mean that they only have support from 33% of the registered voters. Empathy towards voting is major concern. Perhaps it should be compulsory so when important issues are to be decided at least the ruling party can argue they have the support of the majority of all voters.

Those who didn’t vote have very little comeback.

oxnsox

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#550701 27-Nov-2011 22:15

simplestuff: The problem with not voting
With only 65 % of the voters turning out many conclusions can be drawn.

I think the figure was closer to 74%, which is still considered low.

With National getting approximately 50% Does that not mean that they only have support from 33% of the registered voters.

No... because we can't know how many of the 26% that didn't vote may also have supported them.
But historically I believe it's voters from the left who are less motivated to vote.... it's probably apathy rather than empathy

Empathy towards voting is major concern. Perhaps it should be compulsory so when important issues are to be decided at least the ruling party can argue they have the support of the majority of all voters.
Those who didn’t vote have very little comeback.

I don't think making it compulsory will change anything...
If you can't be bothered, is a fine going to motivate you?? And will you really make an informed decision if you can't be arsed??
Soo instead you don't vote and go on to become part of the (apathetic) vocal minority??????

talisker

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Master Geek

#550768 28-Nov-2011 08:23

Under MMP it's impossible not to vote. Because it's based on percentages, your actions count whether you vote or not. This time round, everyone who didn't vote effectively voted for NZ First, by ensuring they got over the 5% threshold. So cheers you lazy sods, I'm sure Winston is grateful.

NonprayingMantis

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#550781 28-Nov-2011 09:14

talisker: Under MMP it's impossible not to vote. Because it's based on percentages, your actions count whether you vote or not. This time round, everyone who didn't vote effectively voted for NZ First, by ensuring they got over the 5% threshold. So cheers you lazy sods, I'm sure Winston is grateful.

Unless they happened to get over the 5% threshold by a single vote, then my action of voting or not would have made no difference to the outcome i.e. they would have gotten the 5% whether or not I voted.
In fact they got 6.81%of the popular vote, so no single vote would have changed that.

freitasm

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#550782 28-Nov-2011 09:17

Not a single vote, but if those who didn't vote actually thought a bit more, they would see that every single votewould reduce that percentage, to a point where many single votes would do the trick.

It's the attitude of "I don't care, it wouldn't change the outcome" that causes this. It's a vicious cycle.

Democracy requires participation. If there's no participation then something will come to fill the vacuum created by those who think "I don't care" and from what we've seen in history, this something is not usually a good thing.

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talisker

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Master Geek

#550806 28-Nov-2011 10:02

What I'm getting at is under MMP it's a fallacy to think you can opt out and not take any part in the process. Your "non vote" has an impact, in exactly the same way as an actual vote. Everyone has an amount of power to exert in the election. You can't stop that power being used. If you vote, you get to choose which party and candidate benefits from it. If you don't vote you have no influence over who benefits - it will depend how the voting pans out. By sitting on your lazy behind you may vote in a party completely opposed to your views.

networkn

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#550815 28-Nov-2011 10:24

NonprayingMantis:
talisker: Under MMP it's impossible not to vote. Because it's based on percentages, your actions count whether you vote or not. This time round, everyone who didn't vote effectively voted for NZ First, by ensuring they got over the 5% threshold. So cheers you lazy sods, I'm sure Winston is grateful.

Unless they happened to get over the 5% threshold by a single vote, then my action of voting or not would have made no difference to the outcome i.e. they would have gotten the 5% whether or not I voted.
In fact they got 6.81%of the popular vote, so no single vote would have changed that.

Oh god, this again? We get it already, you can't be arsed voting unless you vote single handedly controls the outcome, but you are still wrong, what about the Christchurch Electorate?

As has been pointed out to you time and time again, single votes in MMP can make a difference (even if it's small), and your lack of vote has the exact same effect. Well done for not voting, you voted for Winston!

MikeB4

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#550821 28-Nov-2011 10:30

First up I did vote.

Under MMP not voting affects percentages and through extrapolation of that theory a conscious non vote is a conscious decision to affect the outcome with out having to select a candidate from a batch of candidates you do not support or wish to see elected.

Our electoral does not really give us access to the selection of candidates process. It's like say being presented with the choice of Flu, a Cold, Measles or Chicken Pox and you need to choose one. The Only way you can chose none is by a non vote.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Shadowfoot

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#550825 28-Nov-2011 10:34

KiwiNZ: First up I did vote.

Under MMP not voting affects percentages and through extrapolation of that theory a conscious non vote is a conscious decision to affect the outcome with out having to select a candidate from a batch of candidates you do not support or wish to see elected.

Our electoral does not really give us access to the selection of candidates process. It's like say being presented with the choice of Flu, a Cold, Measles or Chicken Pox and you need to choose one. The Only way you can chose none is by a non vote.

No, you are not selecting "None" by not voting. You are saying "Let someone else choose for me".

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networkn

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#550828 28-Nov-2011 10:38

Shadowfoot:
KiwiNZ: First up I did vote.

Under MMP not voting affects percentages and through extrapolation of that theory a conscious non vote is a conscious decision to affect the outcome with out having to select a candidate from a batch of candidates you do not support or wish to see elected.

Our electoral does not really give us access to the selection of candidates process. It's like say being presented with the choice of Flu, a Cold, Measles or Chicken Pox and you need to choose one. The Only way you can chose none is by a non vote.

No, you are not selecting "None" by not voting. You are saying "Let someone else choose for me".

Nonprayingmantis: This point is very valid, you should consider it for next time.

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NonprayingMantis

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#550832 28-Nov-2011 10:53

networkn:
Shadowfoot:
KiwiNZ: First up I did vote.

Under MMP not voting affects percentages and through extrapolation of that theory a conscious non vote is a conscious decision to affect the outcome with out having to select a candidate from a batch of candidates you do not support or wish to see elected.

Our electoral does not really give us access to the selection of candidates process. It's like say being presented with the choice of Flu, a Cold, Measles or Chicken Pox and you need to choose one. The Only way you can chose none is by a non vote.

No, you are not selecting "None" by not voting. You are saying "Let someone else choose for me".

Nonprayingmantis: This point is very valid, you should consider it for next time.

But by voting I would ALSO saying “let the others choose for me” since my vote wouldn’t have changed the outcome of this election one jot – whether in terms of which party gets elected or which candidates get in, or even how many seats the minor parties got. The election results are the will of the majority, not the will of me. My particular preference doesn't effect the majority, so the majority chooses for me whether I vote or not.

Even in ChCh the special votes are yet to be counted. The fact that at a point before all the votes have been counted the election is tied is an interesting statistical anomaly, but unless the final count remains a tie after special votes and the inevitable recount, it is irrelevant.

(as an aside, I did actually vote, but not because I thought it would make any difference or because I want the right to complain, but rather because my wife was nagging me to do it and we happened to be in the area. Happy wife, happy life!)

MikeB4

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#550843 28-Nov-2011 11:17

Shadowfoot:
KiwiNZ: First up I did vote.

Under MMP not voting affects percentages and through extrapolation of that theory a conscious non vote is a conscious decision to affect the outcome with out having to select a candidate from a batch of candidates you do not support or wish to see elected.

Our electoral does not really give us access to the selection of candidates process. It's like say being presented with the choice of Flu, a Cold, Measles or Chicken Pox and you need to choose one. The Only way you can chose none is by a non vote.

No, you are not selecting "None" by not voting. You are saying "Let someone else choose for me".

So you are saying one should vote for someone that is not suitable or you simply don't agree with. That my friend is a wasted vote.

There is a BIG difference between someone who has made a conscious decision to affect by not voting than someone who does not vote because they cannot be bothered.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Ragnor

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#550859 28-Nov-2011 11:29

rhy7s:
NonprayingMantis:
rhy7s:
codyc1515: found the Libertarianz party which seems to align with my views.

From reading their policies it sounds like you might want to check out how Somalia's going.

I didn't realise somalia had a libertarian government. Everything I have read suggests it is anarchy there, not a libertarian government. there is a [retty big difference between libertarianism and anarchy

You think? Maybe you could say libertarianism is anarchy with property rights, there's hardly a great divide, perhaps anarchy's a little less mean spirited? I suppose you could say Somalia is operating under a xeer system at the moment.

There are quite a few flavours of libertarianism that are fairly different.

I have to say putting up Somalia as an example is clearly is putting up a strawman as it's a failed state or no state.

Opinions differ but Estonia tends to be considered the most libertarian country.

tigercorp

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Ultimate Geek
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#550871 28-Nov-2011 11:47

Is there an option on the voting form to abstain? I have to say I've never noticed if there is, or even looked for it.

I'd support compulsory voting if there was.

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