I was suprised to know that the voting turnout in Bangalore city(India) where I live was just 35%. I have heard endless cribbing about how corrupt our politicians are and I know in places like bihar and West bengal even if you vote there is no point becoz the ballot count is rigged. But I still think that if we keep trying to excercise our right to vote, it would make a difference in the future if not in our lifetime.
119589
Vote is a need of politicians not of citizens. Alone voting power is not enough to survive in future. Now it is time for minimum financial equality, same as citizens use minimum political power in form of vote. In the age of Sc. and Tech. where eighty percent or more GDP is made of machines, demand of employment is anti national activity. It is time to share national profits in form of cash. In india more then eighty of MPs are putting a petition before loksabha for the matter, through this petition total solution will be possible. \nfor further details u may contact key person of this movement Mr. Bharat Gandhi, New Delhi 09818433422
80089
Yes, I astonished to hear about this as well. I found an excellent resource with more information about this.\nhttp://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/naind/html/na_041800_voting.htm\n\nFor all the hue and cry about Civil rights, the rightful people are not getting their due. It's really sad to hear this.
236073
Wow, not to personally attack you or anything, but I find it terribly annoying how many, outside of the US, over generalize the political perspectives of Americans. Because in all actuality only about 50% of the US population actually votes in the presidential election. Then when you divide that number in half, only 51% of that 50% voted for Bush. So really it’s B.S. when people say that a majority of Americans voted for him. What about the other 74%? Please keep that in mind the next time you feel the need to make a presumptuous accusation about all Americans, and "our" appointment of Bush to office.
339209
EXCELLENT QUESTION.I was wondering about the huge computer  vs paper ballot vote this election.Sounds like another election scam in the making
522073
This is a very timely article describing the efforts to protect our rights to vote using force and legal means if necessary.\n\nThis makes a few connections for me:\n\nThe election of a democratic government in Iraq:\nhttp://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/30/iraq.main/\n\nThe efforts and challenges of civil rights and elections:\nhttp://www.civilrights.org/issues/voting/details.cfm?id=34487\n\n\nThe elections during the civil rights movement in the United States:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Summer\n\nThere are so many examples of the struggle for democracy around the world and in our own country.  It seems to be a never-ending struggle.\n\nj
223935
I have been trying to figure out how they got elected the first time, the second time was a joke... must be those big districts with low population and ALOT of rednecks...\n\nYes I voted.\nYes I will vote next time. If more people took the time to care enough to vote, maybe we would have a better edge in keeping idiots out of that seat...
547554
Not in my state, we had a few elections like that. Ones where there were a few hot issues, a lot of people came in and voted on those issues leaving the others blank. The problem was there were other issues that needed 60% or more of total votes to pass, with all the blanks they didn't pass. They had enough if you only counted the yes/no votes on that issue, but the law stated you needed 60% or more of total votes. The ended up bring the issues back the next elections. Anyway here in ND we count them.\n\nRemember if you don't vote, you can't complain. And if you don't vote you just voted against EVERYTHING you stand for.
480071
Already did!  My daughter and I (she is only 5, but I always bring her with me so she sees how important it is to vote) went at 6:45am, and were number 77 at our polling place.\n\nI was disappointed that more people weren't in line...hopefully it will pick up and more people will turn out to vote.  I don't care which party you belong to, or who you vote for, just VOTE!!!
388244
I agree with most of what you say.  Yes, vote.  However, don't vote with your heart so much as with your mind.  Feelings come and go.  Truth is eternal.
556984
Like all electronic instruments, it can be rigged. I am in a position where I can confirm that. The best method of voting remains 1 man/woman 1 vote via a ballot paper which has to be manually marked. I suppose the Republicans will disagree with this because it means they cannot use the Supreme Court to help them win elections.
391658
Here in Kansas City....we may have a couple thousand if the news reports are right.\n\nIt's terrible that in this modern age, that voter fraud still continues
193371
India is democratic country and a good one at that.\n\nHowever the problem lies in the way people can be manipulated for their votes.\n\nIf a vast majority of population lives on less than a dollar a day, it is not very difficult to get their vote in return for some money, is it?\n\nThe solution lies in educating people and making them financially well-off, make them realize the power of their vote.\n\nIt is for the young and educated of the country to quit talking about it and start doing something about it.
405808
You make an excellent point first of all. There are indeed many people who vote with minimal knowledge of the issues and of what's at stake. I can attest to being one of those people myself, but the fact of the matter is, I know the basics of whom I will vote for and whom I will not (I live in Michigan), and to propose a test to qualify to vote is essentially stripping people of their right to vote all over again. I blame the Government Officials (I do not use the term 'Politician') because they make it into a popularity contest. I also blame the media because they egg it on, but I digress.
251764
Agree 100%. People who don't vote shouldn't complain. They had their chance to voice their opinion they same as everyone else by casting a vote. If they chose not to vote then they need to shut up!!!
346410
79 million people, or 40.4% turned out to vote Tuesday, compared to 39% in the 2002. \nI think it,s sad that we don't have higher turnout rate in our elections. You would think that more people would want to have their voices heard.
2757
As I understand it, one of the great strengths of a Democracy is not so much the right to vote someone into office but the right to vote them out if you are unhappy with their performance.  Many elections are foregone conclusions and people stay away from the poles.  My parents elected a state representative with only their own two votes when it was discovered that the incumbent had moved and was no longer qualified to run.  They actually favored the imcumbent but knew he only planned to run one more time then retire.  They just wanterd to get the new man's name on the ballot results for next time - but got him elected.  So every vote does count.
488194
I completely agree.... a lot of women fought for us for our right to get out there and vote and I think it's a slap in the face for them when women don't use that right\nPlease Vote!!!!