Today is the California Primary Election, and I was going to write a long, detailed post on why all Californian’s should vote.
But, then I realized the reason everyone should vote is really very simple, in my opinion. If you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain.
Yeah, it’s as simple as that. The sad thing, really, is that of the projected 30–40%1 of voters that will turn out for the election, I personally predict that the ones that don’t make it to the polls will be mostly Republicans.
As a Republican, this saddens me immensely. I understand why it happens—the “Governator” is a Republican, thus the incumbent, so a lot of Republicans feel that they don’t have to vote. However, there are other offices to vote for.
For example: Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, State Board of Equalization, U.S. Senator and Representative, and State Senator and Assembly Member are all up for grabs. Not to mention Superintendent of Schools, County Assessor, District Attorney, and Sherriff all need to be elected with the primary election.
There are also two propositions and a measure to be voted on.
While sure, it seems like a waste to some to have essentially two elections to fill an office, it doesn’t matter. If you’re registered to vote, you should vote. It’s what you signed up for when you mailed in the registration card.
I’m just so tired of hearing people complain about how the government is run, and when asked if they voted, the response is usually no. Then they go on about how their vote means nothing.
The Primaries have snuck up on me, and so this post isn’t really what I wanted to talk about in regards to voting. It’s just a desperate plea to get everyone to the polls. I don’t care who you vote for, just so long as you do it.
Since I have until November for the second round of elections, I’ll be working on an essay-like post all summer about the importance of voting. I have very strong views on voting, even if I’m not politically vocal.
If you have any ideas, or thoughts or anything, let me know. I’m always happy to argue why voting is important 
- Heard this percentage on the radio yesterday morning, and I’m sure it’s pretty accurate. Many people don’t think the primary is important enough to vote in. [back]
“If you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain.”
This made me laugh. I wont go into details of the idiocy of that statement, instead i have a few simple comments. I have every RIGHT to complain because???
…… You guessed it, thats right, I do in fact live in America. No matter how ignorant I may be on a subject I can say whatever I want. It may be complete rubbish, but i can still say it. I am under no moral nor legal obligation to vote……. I live in America.
My suggestion: If you dont want people to have the right to make unimformed opionions move to a 3rd world country….. like Carghnarghdargh.
Oh, finally something we don’t agree on!
Sure, as an American you can complain about whatever you want. After all, I complain about the cancer victim all the time.
But I don’t want to hear it if someone is complaing about who’s in office or some proposition that did or didn’t pass if they don’t vote.
It doesn’t make sense to me. You care enough to complain about it, but you don’t care enough to make your voice heard through voting? Thats a nasty double standard, and it’s why less than 40% of registered voters bothered to vote at all.
Besides, ignorance isn’t an excuse for not voting. I’ll readily admit that I choose who I’m going to vote for minutes before I vote, and often don’t even know who they are.
So sure, you can complain about whatever the hell you want. But if you didn’t vote, I’m not going to listen.
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