Please read before choosing your option on the poll (and also note this applies only to those of legal age to vote. Sorry to the rest!)

This past week our city held a civic election to elect our mayor and only 27% of eligible voters came out and casted their ballots. I personally find this despicable but that's a topic for another day.

It irks me when people who choose not to vote complain about who was elected into office. I personally feel if you don't vote, you've got no room to complain (except in those cases where no parties are appealing but even then, what can you do about it?)

So I'm curious to know who votes and who doesn't and whether or not you voice your opinions on your government if you don't vote.

Hope this makes sense!

PS: This is a post and run. I'll be back later to check on it's progression.

i vote and complain!

I voted and I debate politics all day long.

It really irks me when women don't vote. Mainly because we fought long and hard for the right to and women just throw it down the drain. How are we ever going to get women's issues on the front of the agenda if we aren't making our voices heard?

I cant vote and I complain

I voted and I don't really complain; sure there are things I'd change, but I have no real major problem with the government as of now.

Quoting Lindsay*J:“ Please read before choosing your option on the poll (and also note this applies only to those of legal ... [snip!] ... if you don't vote. Hope this makes sense! PS: This is a post and run. I'll be back later to check on it's progression.”

Well, I'm really kind of ambivalent on this subject.

On one hand, I feel that people should exercise their right to vote, even if it's just to spoil the ballot, not only because, especially for some of us, the right to vote in the first place was hard won, but because sending in a spoiled ballot sends a much clearer message about your displeasure with politics than not voting at all does.

But, on the other hand, as I grow increasingly jaded and cynical about the political system, I understand why so many just don't feel there's any reason to vote, that it doesn't make a difference, etc.

I don't think the issue is, for me, whether or not someone voted, but why they voted or didn't vote... I'd rather hear the complaints of someone who didn't vote for ideological reasons than the complaints of someone who just mindlessly ticked off a candidate on voting day without even bothering to look at what they stood for.

C.

I guess I'd sum it up thusly:

"Voting is a right, but it is also a responsibility."

C.

I vote and I complain. But I also think those who don't exercise their right and responsibility to elect officials, shouldn't bitch.

I voted in the presidential election and I don't complain.

I don't pay attention to our city officials, have no idea who they are, and I don't complain.

I vote and I complain. Loudly.

I also give credit where credit is due. It just seems so rare these days.

I vote and I complain when I don't agree with something.

I vote and complain.