If you are voting for someone who cannot win...

[pawprint]

... how do you feel?

If your voting Obama in Alaska, or McCain in Jersey, how does it make you feel to know that you don't have a shot? With so many states in play this time- more than in any election in recent history, are you incredibly frustrated? Will you wait in four hour long lines to vote despite knowing the chances of your candidate winning are nil?

For those of you doing so, you have my sympathy. I have had the great blessing of always having my state go in the direction of my vote save the one time I voted republican. ;)

[PiccoloRose]

I'm in Alabama and voting for Obama. I do plan on waiting in line to vote on Tuesday. After I wait in line, DH and I are driving to the south end of the county so he can wait in a long line to vote for (as he puts it) Biden and his Presidential affiliate.

I feel it is important for my voice to be stated, even if it isn't always heard. While I know that Alabama will go McCain, I am still another vote towards the count of popular votes (not that it means too much).

There has only ever been one time that my vote was for who won an election, and it was the last Mayoral election here. I still go out and vote every election knowing that my vote is for the underdog in my area. I will continue to do so for the years to come.

Oh, and our lines are only estimated at a 2 hour wait. ;)

[Sameach]

PR why do you and DH vote in different places?

[PiccoloRose]

Our polling centers here are based off of our driver's license address. Mine still has my dad's address on it because I've moved around a bit the past few years and knew that his would be a constant that I could use. My DH's is still listed at his parent's address because he doesn't want to pay the $27 for a new license. When he has to renew his next year he'll change his address on it to my dad's address.

[AuLait]

Its frustrating, and it is tempting not to bother at all. But since we do vote by mail and I have a lot of other things where my vote does count (like governor), then I do it anyway, but definitely with a feeling of futility.

[JudyJudyJudy]

Paw, I've been there in the past. It's a bit frustrating, but it's still important for me to vote. Since we have a tiny chance of going blue now, though, it's really exciting.

There were people in Gwinnett County, Georgia, who stood in line for 10 hours (no, that's not an exaggeration) on Friday to vote. Some were interviewed, and they said it was worth standing in line that long to try to turn the state blue. I still don't think it's coincidental that the areas that are more likely to go blue are the ones that have such extreme waits, yet the Republican Secretary of State refused to extend the hours like some other states did.

[joshsmom]

I vote for a lot of reasons even though my candidates rarely win in NJ. Mostly, I feel it is a responsibility. I spout off a ton about politics and if I didn't vote, I would feel like a hypocrite. I vote because I feel it is my responsibility as a citizen of this country to educate myself, decide what candidate best represents my views and vote accordingly. I've never really felt frustrated or futile, even here in NJ.

This election I may vote a 3rd party because I think it's time that both sides get the message that their not getting the job done. Again, in my state it matters little, but right now I really can't align with either major Presidential candidate and I refuse to not vote at all because of that. I've been joking with DH that I should vote Obama so I can feel like "I won" and "He lost". I like voting locally because even though the conservative candidate generally gets crushed, I feel like my one little vote lets them know that someone conservative was paying attention. ;)

[joshsmom]

Oh, and I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes to vote.

[pawprint]

I had no idea you voted third party JM. Interesting.

[joshsmom]

I had no idea you voted third party JM. Interesting.

I haven't. I may on Tuesday. We shall see...

[pawprint]

Hmmmm. You must fill me in after the fact. Wanna have breakfast on Tuesday?

[Michaelrob]

Rachel and I voted for Obama knowing that Tennessee is gonna go McCain. But we were in and out in about 20 minutes and I'm always curious to hear what the popular vote is.

I got really pissed off at Rachel's uncle tonight. He called to "explain" to her that she needs to vote McCain. When she told him that she had already voted, he went off. He figured that she voted for Obama so he kept telling her how she voted wrong. This is a 70 year old man who grew up in rural TN and gets most of his info from rumors. He even actually called Obama an "arab". WTF?

I told her after the call that she should have just told him that TN will go McCain anyway so why get so stirred up.

[vulturemom]

I rarely vote republican yet here in Utah the vote has gone to republicans sense I can remember. I am not going to vote for someone just because that is what every one else is doing. It does make me wish for a popular vote rather then what we have though.

[Justicedog]

It sucks to know that my vote doesn't matter in a presidential election. It sucks that three counties make the decision in my state and those are the counties with the highest crime rates and least quality of living. Seems kinda stupid for those folks to decide who'll run the country. I have no allegience to the state I live in, I think it's a stupid state, perhaps some of that feeling would change if I didn't think the majority of the folks vote stupidly.

There are some positives - It does give me the freedom to do stuff like write in my name for the hell of it. It is also nice to know that I had no responsibility for getting anyone into office so I can complain about everyone. I haven't actually been particularly "for" a candidate since whoever ran against Clinton.

I do think that local elections are more important.

[joshsmom]

Hmmmm. You must fill me in after the fact. Wanna have breakfast on Tuesday?

Um. Hm. Waiiiit a minute. Tuesday morning? Are you going to try to woo me to the dark side, Paw?

;)

[kohlby]

I'm in SC where it's definate McCain, my county likely more heavily than the rest of the state even. I've voted in 4 presidential elections so far - and haven't voted for the winner once yet! I still vote since I feel it's important. Though my vote won't go to McCain, who will win my state, I'm pretty excited of possibly voting for the winning candidate for once anyways! Plus, there's more than the presidential race on the ballots. I still usually vote for the losers in those categories, but I feel that I can't complain if I don't vote.

I'm not looking forward to the lines. In SC you have to qualify to vote early. Granted, you can lie and say you'll be out of town when you aren't. Also, those 65+ are allowed to vote early. I had to wait in line nearly 2 hours to vote 4 years ago. The plus this time is that I have a babysitter and I didn't the last presidential election. The minus is that my vulvar varicosities hurt too much to stand for 5 minutes. So, I'll be sitting in line for the most part. For non-presidential elections or primaries, I've never had to wait.

[pawprint]

Um. Hm. Waiiiit a minute. Tuesday morning? Are you going to try to woo me to the dark side, Paw?

;)Ha! No, the kids have off from school. I plan to vote early if possible. We vote at the middle school. You?

[Indigo]

You don't really know if you can't win unless you vote. Sure there are places that it's unlikely one candidate will take it, but you still have to try, and to popular vote says something. If we continue to have elections where the president didn't win the popular vote there is more evidence in place that our system needs change.

[pawprint]

I don't think is is unimportant to vote regardless of your state's outcome. In fact I dont think there are really any circumstances where it's okay not to vote. I just imagine that it is frustrating.

[xobehs]

SC here too. I am proudly casting my losing vote.
I am MORE excited about a Linda Ketner! She may actually have a shot down here! Brown's people are turning on him, even his family!
I am SO curious about the amount of Obama support around here, and I am in military country. Not delusional to think he can win, but I am curious as to how much of the vote he will get.
Exciting times!

[GirlsMama]

My ex is voting for Obama in CA, and my brother is voting for Obama in Texas. They have both reminded me numerous times to get out and vote because my state (NC) is more vital than their states. So I'm guessing, being in a state like CA makes your vote feel a little less valuable seeing as almost everyone is voting for Obama anyway, where as voting in TX probably feels fruitless since it's such a Republican state.

For me, NC seems to be leaning toward Obama, and I feel happy I got my vote in to push it a little more in his direction.

[pawprint]

NC is going blue! I swear it is.

[xobehs]

May some of the blue plague spread south here, LOL!

[GirlsMama]

I feel so riled up, I want to go out and tell people to go vote. Lol. I think the lines on election day are going to be awesome!

[JudyJudyJudy]

It sucks to know that my vote doesn't matter in a presidential election. It sucks that three counties make the decision in my state and those are the counties with the highest crime rates and least quality of living. Seems kinda stupid for those folks to decide who'll run the country.
Fucking wow. So if people live in high crime areas and have a low quality of living, they shouldn't get to "decide" who should be running the country? Perhaps they of all people realize how badly things are being run.

I'm truly flabbergasted by your comments. I don't think I've read anything so shitty since KaraJ's comments on the healthcare thread.

[JudyJudyJudy]

You don't really know if you can't win unless you vote. Sure there are places that it's unlikely one candidate will take it, but you still have to try, and to popular vote says something. If we continue to have elections where the president didn't win the popular vote there is more evidence in place that our system needs change.
For the first time in a long time, our votes here in this state could possibly really matter! :D

[xobehs]

I missed Jdog's response until a few minutes ago.
Could you PLEASE come and clarify it before I pass serious judgement on you?
I think it is tilting on the absolute most shitty thing ever said here.
If you stand by your quote you take the cake.
congratufukulations.