NationStates Jolt Archive

Inspired by the do you vote thread and by some of the responses on the ~ 32% support bush thread I am asking what way do you decide or will decide the allocation of your vote(s)

I realise that most people do not use just one of the factors in the poll, but please select the predominant factor for you.

Inspired by the do you vote thread and by some of the responses on the ~ 32% support bush thread I am asking what way do you decide the allocation of your vote(s)

I realise that most people do not use just one of the factors in the poll, but please select the predominant factor for you.

(As implied above - poll coming)
3 words,
better than Kerry.
That is why I supported him at first, now because, well I don't support him fully, he isn't strong enough, but then again, though I may one day get in politics but I have far to little patience for national politics.

I get two votes, one for a party and one for a local candidate so I vote for party and person. Usually I go by which I feel sucks the least overall, although last time I party voted green because I was worried they might fall below 5%, and although I wouldn't want them in power, I still like having them as a minor presence.

I get two votes, one for a party and one for a local candidate so I vote for party and person. Usually I go by which I feel sucks the least overall, although last time I party voted green because I was worried they might fall below 5%, and although I wouldn't want them in power, I still like having them as a minor presence.

So how do you decide on the local candidate. Does this depend (for you) on the party that the candidate belongs to or the person themself?

So how do you decide on the local candidate. Does this depend (for you) on the party that the candidate belongs to or the person themself?


Personally it doesn't matter because I live in an electorate where the same guy has won for the past 20 years, and very comfortably at that. I tend to vote based on party though, as none of the other parties bother wasting decent candidates on such certain loss.

The current guy in my electorate is always used on election coverage as an example of a candidate who gets lots of votes from people who's party votes are split between the main two parties. Personally, I don't like his or his parties policies. I've had dinner with him though, he's nice enough.

Though I'm not old enough to vote yet, my opinion on the matter is to try to pick the candidate who has only experience in smaller forms of government so that their personal agenda consists mainly on making a good name for themselves. Even if the motive isn't what you hope from a leader, they would atleast get the job done and that's all that really matters right?

Hmmmm. I'd love, absolutely love, to be able to vote for a candidate. That's really what I would prefer, and in more local elections, I occasionally get the chance.

However, considering the way the two major parties run things, I most often have to vote against someone. In other words, all the candidates (and definitely the two main ones) suck, and I just have to decide which one sucks the worst and vote for the other.

Your poll sucks.
I vote for an entire platform.

I have never simply voted for a party. Never have done the "straight line" at all. Those this time I might vote for anybody then a Republican. Well probably not.

I try to see where the guy stands on things. See if he has answers to things. Other then that; sometimes it tossing the coin to see who will fuck things up the least.

Your poll sucks.
I vote for an entire platform.

So you would vote for the candidate with the "entire platform" you liked?

I get two votes, one for a party and one for a local candidate so I vote for party and person.
Wo0t. I can't vote yet but unless something dramatically changes within the next 2 years, this is the system I will follow.

Monkey, which party is the guy from your electorate from?

So you would vote for the candidate with the "entire platform" you liked?
Well, no. In my country you vote for parties first and person second. I vote for the platform which best suits my idea of how the country/town should be governed. And I don't really care which person of the party gets my vote. They all stand behind the same message.

I have an interesting strategy wherein I vote for people I don't want to win. Usually communists. Basically, through the preferential voting system, I still indirectly vote for the party I want, but by voting for an extreme third party I send a much stronger message to the winning party (no matter who wins) about the direction I want their policy to head (of course in moderation compared to the extreme third party). Furthermore, voting for a third party erodes the 'two-party system' sociological mind-block when the polls eventually come out (a little). Also, it's so much more interesting picking between the Gambling party and the communist party than Libs and the ALP.

Wo0t. I can't vote yet but unless something dramatically changes within the next 2 years, this is the system I will follow.

Monkey, which party is the guy from your electorate from?


I live in the northen suburbs of Wellington.

yes indeed, I have Mr in-the-middle christain fundy himself (http://www.unitedfuture.org.nz/mp/dunne.php) as my MP.

I live in the northen suburbs of Wellington.

yes indeed, I have Mr in-the-middle christain fundy himself (http://www.unitedfuture.org.nz/mp/dunne.php) as my MP.
Ahh same as my gf heh.

I'm Welly Central.

I'm Canadian so I vote for the party. It is impossible to vote for the person because it is unwritten rule that you vote the way the rest of your party votes.

Inspired by the do you vote thread and by some of the responses on the ~ 32% support bush thread I am asking what way do you decide or will decide the allocation of your vote(s)

I realise that most people do not use just one of the factors in the poll, but please select the predominant factor for you.

For those of a political inclination it is always a combination of things, policy, party, personality and importantly - opposition (see the left's support of Chirac against Le Penn.

Having said that, these generalisations can be made about voters:
Men vote tribally, meaning they vote for the same party throughout their lives and only change is 1) they feel betrayed by that party or 2) their personal chages get translated into political changes usually a shift to the right - "any one who isn't a socialist in their twenties is heartless, any one who is still a socialist in their fourties is brainless". Men tend to follow libertarian issues more than security issues because they tend to feel more personally secure.

Women are much more inclined to follow policies and personalities than men and tend to favour security over liberties. This is why, mainly, the conservative party was the natural party of government in the 20th century in Britain and the Republicans in the US, why Bush beat Kerry and why Chirac is President of France rather than a socialist. Women are far more likely to change their vote than men and constitute the largest swing group that is targeted by lobbiests. In Zimbabwe, when Tvsagirai posed a viable threat to Mugabe many men refused to let their wives vote because they would vote ZANU (PF) - Mugabe was always very generous to poor rural women voters. Of course, now few women would vote for Mugabe.

But these are generalisations and there are swaths of factors that also apply.

I have an interesting strategy wherein I vote for people I don't want to win. Usually communists. Basically, through the preferential voting system, I still indirectly vote for the party I want, but by voting for an extreme third party I send a much stronger message to the winning party (no matter who wins) about the direction I want their policy to head (of course in moderation compared to the extreme third party).
I usually vote for the most extreme candidate in the party I want to win. The candidate won't get elected but it's a similar message to the party. The communist around here are such an idiots that I'd rather give my vote to conservative Christians than communists.

My favourites never get elected so whenever I vote, my vote goes to the party.

I do not believe in negative or tactical voting. Nor do I base my vote on the personality of the candidate, because frankly, all politicians are about as corrupt and sly as each other. I *hate* partisan politics with a passion, and I don't care much what social stigma is attached to any particular party. I just vote based on what policies I like, even though I know deep down that most manifestos end up tucked in a draw and left to gather dust.

Inspired by the do you vote thread and by some of the responses on the ~ 32% support bush thread I am asking what way do you decide or will decide the allocation of your vote(s)

I realise that most people do not use just one of the factors in the poll, but please select the predominant factor for you.
It's impossible for me to divorce how I vote from the personality and resume of those running for whatever office it might be. In the last presidential election, my vote was against John Kerry rather than for anyone. Hell, if the devil himself had been Kerry's opponent, I probably would have voted for the devil. Heh!

I do not believe in negative or tactical voting. Nor do I base my vote on the personality of the candidate, because frankly, all politicians are about as corrupt and sly as each other. I *hate* partisan politics with a passion, and I don't care much what social stigma is attached to any particular party. I just vote based on what policies I like, even though I know deep down that most manifestos end up tucked in a draw and left to gather dust.

Me too. I vote according to the party I identify with most and I'm a member of that party. In the EU elections I vote green because they can accomplish more on an international level than national. In local council elections I vote for my party because the other parties don't give a crap about my constituency and make no effort whatsoever. But even if the other parties made a serious play for my local vote I'd still vote for my party (candidate is also more important on local level as you actually get to know them) because increasing council seats is a route to national power. It also sends a message to the two main parties about genuine preference.

Fact is, if people in Britain voted with their actual gut for the party whose policies they most liked we would be free of this two-party system. The problem is that people are disenchanted by the process. They're sick of Labour but don't want the Tories back, and don't believe that the Lib Dems can win. I know so many people who say "I would vote Lib Dem but don't want the Tories/Labour back" so they vote against the party they don't want for whoever is more likely to win in their area. If they all just voted Lib Dem we might have a shot!

The local elections last week are a bit worrying, the BNP won far too many seats for my liking. In part I think it was a protest vote, but it also reflects the climate in this country right now, and the racism that is becomming more prominent. Bad sign.

It's impossible for me to divorce how I vote from the personality and resume of those running for whatever office it might be. In the last presidential election, my vote was against John Kerry rather than for anyone. Hell, if the devil himself had been Kerry's opponent, I probably would have voted for the devil. Heh!
I'd say that quite many vote against someone on presidential elections. Especially if there are several parties but only 2 candidates (2nd round).

I've only done it once, 6 years ago on presidential election.

The local elections last week are a bit worrying, the BNP won far too many seats for my liking. In part I think it was a protest vote, but it also reflects the climate in this country right now, and the racism that is becomming more prominent. Bad sign.
"Racism?" In GB?? Say more, please.

"Racism?" In GB?? Say more, please.

The BNP is Britain's premier semi-fascist racist party. They're full of National Front nutters.

Also: twiglets are crunchy.

While I like to think I vote for a person I do have to say sometimes I vote for or against an issue. Sometimes I am pragmatic lol

I usually vote "for a party" (the PCF or the LCR, more often the PCF) on the first round of elections, and "against a party/person" on the second round, because my party rarely goes to the second round.

PS: I'm in France.

I generally walk into the voting booth and...

twiglets are crunchy.

Exebugelent!

I generally walk into the voting booth and...


rub one out?

I've only voted twice, but here goes.

Last year I voted for my party in the European elections, and against a party in the local elections. This year it was a combination of liking the guy himself, liking his policies, and hoping against hope that the other party didn't get in.

It worked this year- but only for my ward.

I live in England. I haven't voted in a general election yet (I was 10 days too young!).

I usually vote "for a party" (the PCF or the LCR, more often the PCF) on the first round of elections, and "against a party/person" on the second round, because my party rarely goes to the second round.

PS: I'm in France.
you french like those acronyms don't you!
SDF, PCF, LCR ect.

SDF is homeless btw

How do you vote?

Naked

you french like those acronyms don't you!

hehe ;)


SDF, PCF, LCR ect.

SDF is homeless btw

Yeah, SDF is homeless. PCF is "Parti Communiste Français" (French Communist Party), LCR is "Ligue Commuiste Révolutionnaire" (Revolutionnary Communist League).

But well, US citizen say "GOP" for the republicans sometimes too and in Germany, they have "CDU", "SPD", "PDS", ... so we're not the only ones ;)

Well, it depends. It can be for a party, or against a party.

Never for a personality... but maybe against.

Issues, mostly. We don't have any parties or politicians that are really worth voting for, so it leaves me to choose between the two majors closest to me politically, which have no chance of winning anything: the Democrats or Greens. The Greens have better policies on certain key issues, so they win. Dems got second preference though.


yes indeed, I have Mr in-the-middle christain fundy himself (http://www.unitedfuture.org.nz/mp/dunne.php) as my MP.

Is there any particular reason why I know that name?

It's impossible for me to divorce how I vote from the personality and resume of those running for whatever office it might be. In the last presidential election, my vote was against John Kerry rather than for anyone. Hell, if the devil himself had been Kerry's opponent, I probably would have voted for the devil. Heh!

Funny, I did the same thing, except I was voting against Bush, and prolly would've voted for the devil himself over Bush.

Isn't it sad that we have to do that?

"Racism?" In GB?? Say more, please.

A lot of people are very anti-immigrant, funny thing is they don't seem to have a problem with the largest group of immigrants (Americans) or the 2nd (Austrailians) or third (Western Europeans). No, the ones that are seen as a problem, the ones who "steal our jobs" and "sponge off our taxes" happen to be from the Middle-East, Asia and North Africa. Hmm, what a coincidence.

The BNP have policies that discriminate against anyone not white:

"The British National Party exists to secure a future for the indigenous peoples of these islands in the North Atlantic which have been our homeland for millennia. We use the term indigenous to describe the people whose ancestors were the earliest settlers here after the last great Ice Age and which have been complemented by the historic migrations from mainland Europe. The migrations of the Celts, Anglo-Saxons, Danes, Norse and closely related kindred peoples have been, over the past few thousands years, instrumental in defining the character of our family of nations."

They have gained ground recently because of the propaganda in the press and the two major parties capitulating to it by bringing immigration, race and religious issues to the fore. The public think we're being swamped by illegal immigrants, when we're seriously not. It's of course closely tied to religion too, there's a war on Islam going on here.

Does it mean anything that 'ideology' was not even on the poll?

Inspired by the do you vote thread and by some of the responses on the ~ 32% support bush thread I am asking what way do you decide or will decide the allocation of your vote(s)

I realise that most people do not use just one of the factors in the poll, but please select the predominant factor for you.

My presidential record:

'88 for Bush Sr
'92 For Bush Sr
'96 Against Clinton
'00 Against Gore
'04 Abstain (against both Bush and Kerry)

So, my record is split, and I voted twiglets are crunchy.

My voting in other elections tends to be equally split between for and against votes, mostly with the politician, secondarily on the issue, and lastly on party.

I voted for John McCain in the 2000 Primary, for Al Gore in the 2000 election,

for John Edwards in the 2004 Primary, and against George Bush in the 2004 election.


I am having a bad run of it.

Naked

*likes Keruvalia's style*

3 words, better than Bush.

I would vote for someone, if there was ever anyone worth voting for.

My presidential record:

'88 very slightly for Dukakis
'92 slightly for Clinton
'96 very slightly for Clinton
'00 against Little Shrub
'04 really, really against Baby Bush

So, my record is split.

I'm Canadian so I vote for the party. It is impossible to vote for the person because it is unwritten rule that you vote the way the rest of your party votes.

I generally vote for a party, as well, and for the same reason.

I'm an Albertan. Guess which party. :D

Though, in the last two US presidential elections I would have voted against a person. Gore & Kerry were just creepy.

I should point out, being a Canadian I have somewhat different options for voting than those of you in the US. I picked for a party.

Under the Canadian system parties are much more powerful than they are in the USA, and the leader of the party with the most seats in the House Of Commons (Our version of what Americans call the House Of Representatives) automatically becomes Prime Minister. If a Member Of Parliament votes against the party line, s/he may be exiled from the party and have to sit as an Independent or join another party. Many people do indeed vote on personality and issue here, or vote against a party/person/stance, but my guess is that party plays a slightly larger role.