If you don't vote....do you think your, 'SAY' matters?
480993
No, because it doesn't matter if you do vote. Politicians do what they want not what they're elected for, and most voting systems don't allow proper representation.
479716
Yes - I find the whole process fascinating.  I also believe that voting is an informed decision making process, so I keep up with local, state and national issues so I can make an informed decision.  How can a person complain about the state of things in their city, state and country if they are not well informed as to what is going on AND they don't vote!  If you don't exercise your right to vote, you shouldn't complain about the state of things.
398760
Personally, I believe if a person doesn't know what they believe and why they believe it they should NEVER VOTE and NEVER COMPLAIN.  This goes for those who agenerallygree with me  also.
540046
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!!!
208144
I vote in every election. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about what you get for government.
868502
OF COURSE IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!!!!\n\nWe get to choose our leaders!  That is the bedrock of our democracy!!!  If you choose not to vote, you give up your voice!  Don't let other people choose your leaders for you - VOTE!!!
669279
does it matter? does it make a difference?
914033
of course. I cant complain if I dont vote.
713568
I, personally, take it very seriously. I voted today, went with my 20 years old son. When I leave the polling place I feel like I've let my voice be heard and done my duty as an American citizen. I know it sounds corny and will probably get blasted by someone on here, but I mean it. I love this country and thank GOD that we have the privilege and right to vote!
28950
should we start voting?
742239
I did vote. Bit i think the reason why most people don't vote is not because they feel that the government can't do something for them but because they are so lazy to do so. If there is a will, there is a way. If you really want to vote there is always a way to. Some people are just reasoning out that they are tired of voting the same wrong persons. But you know guys... voting is a way for the society to hear out your voice. By choosing the right candidate by means of research and open forums, you can choose the "real" right person. Voting is one in a life time experience. And seeing your chosen candidate winning, and doing good in office is one of the the achievements one might cherish for the betterment of our society.\n\nThat is why your vote is needed.Pls do both the nxt time around... for you and for your childrens's future.
1044569
I vote. However, I can understand why people wouldn't vote. Our elected officials are sold to us, plain and simple. Those who have enough money for advertising put themselves on tv between our favorite programs and we pick one. And its usually a which candidate do you dislike the most scenario. But I don't think its a good idea to encourage people to vote for the sake of voting. People should be encouraged to make an informed decision when voting. They should actually get to know the candidates platforms before they vote. If they are gonna vote for a guy because he's the kind of guy they'd like to have a beer with or if they are gonna not vote for a guy because they don't like how exited he sounded at his rally, then I would rather them not show up. It's like we all have to vote on what car we would drive and some of us are making a decision based on fuel economy and safety and some of us who had equal say based their decision on the song playing in the commercial.
714200
Of course no one should tell you how to vote, but they should be telling you why to vote for a particular individual. I tend to be all over the place when I vote, and it's because I look at the issues and the individual and make a decission accordingly.
435657
I vote at every opportunity I get! I gather all information on prospective candidates, then make a decision based upon my findings. It incenses me to no end, when USA citizens fail to vote, or don't do their homework concerning a potential candidate. I've come too far to relinquish my power to vote! I WILL KEEP THE FAITH! *******************\nLOVE, HONOR, PROTECT, SERVE, BELIEVE, FIGHT, FOR MY BROTHERS, AND SISTERS RIGHT TO VOTE! STAND UP, AND BE HEARD! GIVE ME A HELL YEA, IF YOU HEAR ME! OUR TROOPS, FAMILIES, FREEDOM, AND COUNTRY ARE DEPENDING ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
905791
Sometimes local or State laws are put to "referendum".  That means the voters have a direct relationship as to whether the law gets passed or not.  Otherwise the only thing you can do is write to your representatives and tell them how you feel about a particular law or issue and they vote to their conscience, perhaps taking the citizen's opinions into account.
343490
Does your or mine thinking matter?\nWe can only make them politicians, can't make them behave.
412677
The last time I voted was when Bill Clinton was elected.  I voted once before that.  I chose not to vote in the past elections because I never felt there was a candidate worth his salt or my time.\n\nI know some say that if you don't vote you don't get change but if I had voted and it made a difference- would we really have been better off with the likes of Kerry in the white house.  People say anyone would be better than Bush and that may be so- but at the time of the election- I sure didnt feel we would be better with Kerry and I didn't want to see Bush there so I chose not to choose.