What is the point of a secret ballot?
361689
A secret ballot has little to do with being ashamed of your candidate. It is so one can vote without fear of reprisal from any opposing factions. In newly established democracies, this is especially important.
962025
It's when a group decides to make up their own law for everyone to vote on. Over-used, in my opinion. In Maine it's often used by evangelicals who want to deny civil rights to others.\n\nThere's a special process, starting with a petition drive.
936580
Not anymore. You should have called the Secretary of State's office weeks ago if you had not yet received the ballot. By law, no votes cast after the election night deadline may be counted.
1161579
The most important benefactor to the voting process is the person doing the voting. There is a disconnect between those who don't vote and the society around themselves. It's a symptom of diminished self-image ..... ie., "My voice isn't important enough to count," vs. "Even if my voice isn't heard by the masses, I'll speak up." As for me, I hate politics, but I love our system. I don't believe in being a victim by default. Hey look, I spoke up. Does this count as a vote?
812821
It is so hard to believe how many American's do NOT understand that this country has most likely NEVER had honest elections or a legitimate political process! Only public claims by political insiders that it is legitimate! The cheating did not start with E-voting machines rather this method makes who gets paid off cheaper when producing the numeric results regardless of what method of cheating has taken place! If banks & credit card companies can find ways to curtail fraud surely we can do like wise with a voting system, But i do not think it should be keept secret & you need a record of the ballot plus post it publically on a county website for all to see & access in attempt to keep things honest!
120627
It is a computer and computers can be programed to do things. A voting computer can be pre-programed to already have the number of votes already decided. So when you go in to vote, it will look like you are voting for who you want, but it will only LOOK that way and your vote is not counted. Just made to look that way.
943555
it is usually volunteers from both main parties.  Electioneering and campaigning is illegal within 100 feet of polling places.
753676
What bothers me is the idea that a person can vote for Candidate A (the person listed on the ballot), and their party can instead choose to count that is if you had voted for Candidate B (the replacement).\n\nSeems to defeat the entire concept of voting, if the person you cast your vote (according to the ballot) for isn't the person who your vote is counted towards.
437817
There is more power in the vote. It is the final answer to petition, however to bring an issue to vote sometimes you have to petition to do it.
817545
Because it's a right for us to see who were electing. Thanks to all those who fought for our right to vote, we can decide what to do. Voting means that you can control who you're voting for in the elections and if that representative does a lousy job, you can vote him/her out. Of course, it would be better if you had a field of options not like the average race where you have between 1 and 3 at the very least.
44418
It's a privilege that's a responibility, meaning if you are a felon you loose the privilege to vote.  If you aren't an US Citizen you can't vote.  \n\nNow it's a responibility because it is a part of good citizenship.  A right not used is a right denied.
776202
I don't think so.  If people don't want to vote, why make them?  Will it mean anything if they just pick random people because they don't want to be there?
819030
You're asking this the day before the election?  Obviously you will have plenty of time to review their positions, debate the merits of their views with other last minute voters........\n\nIf you have voted before you should have been sent a sample ballot with the candidates listed.
385230
One possible explanation (but not the only one) hearkens back to the practice of certain lodges and other organizations counting votes by using black or white balls that were dropped into a ballot box. It was especially used when a new candidate for membership in the organization was being presented. White balls meant the candidate got in, and black balls meant a vote against them. If a candidate got a certain amount of black balls in their box (in some groups, even one black ball would do the trick), the candidate was rejected...hence, blackballed.
1151002
The ballot is the card you fill out to vote for individual offices.  I think you are asking about the electoral college, which is a group of people selected to cast votes for the president based upon the way the population of a state voted.  However, not all states are required to distribute ballots in the college based on the way the state voted.  Essentially the college was first created because we couldn't let farmers and immigrants who could not read and write truly select who wins an election.  Still around for the same reason today...too many stupid people get a choice.
727764
They always check IDs when I've voted. How else will they verify who you are? It is totally necessary to avoid someone walking in and saying they are you.
1108789
Because it is the only way they can gain access to office. They can not survive an honest vote tally!