[BrandonC]

It's a simple question, and I assume the average age around here these days is well above the voting age.

[Lunor]

Always, even though it isn't mandatory.

If you don't vote you have less right to complain (though I disagree with the people saying 'no right to complain').
And I like my complaining

[Roxtin]

Nope, I've never voted ... I'm not even registered vote. Thus far in my life, I haven't come across a politician who I believe is worth my vote - so I see no need to even register. Besides, personally, I feel it's more honorable to remain silent due to being unregistered than to register, never vote and complain all the time about the government.

I don't complain about the state of the world (or America) ... I believe I have no right to voice my opinion on any political matter since I'm not a registered voter. I have lived my life, day in - day out, with no government interference ... and until I feel the government is interfering with my life, I see no reason to interject my own opinions. Not that my vote would really amount to anything.

Sure, my vote actually matters (in some extremely minute way) in local, state elections and congressional elections ... but my vote means absolutely nothing when it comes to, arguably, the most important election: the presidential election. The electoral college nullifies any significance my vote may actually have. Sure, 100+ years ago the electoral college was useful ... due to technological limitations, the average American wasn't properly informed of all issues related to the candidates. So a body of learned individuals who were abreast of the candidates was needed so that the best candidate for the times could be elected. But today, the average person knows more than enough to make an informed vote ... the electoral college is an archaic establishment which should be abolished.

Sorry, went on a bit of a tangent there.

[Greeney]

Federal elections.

[Celtic22]

I havent voted before now because I didn't really see the point. BUT over the last year or two as my country descends into chaos i find myself drawn into politics more and more. I also find it very hard not to critisize the current bunch of elected idiots we have in office....

Therefore ill be voting for the first time in the upcoming election scheduled for late Feb/Early March.

[Alexstrasza]

It's mandatory to vote in Australia, and I do vote. Been wanting to vote since I was about 12 years old.

However, this isn't the case amongst most Australians - many adolescents and teenagers end up just donkey voting (just turning up to the ballot box for the sake of it, and not writing anything on the ballot etc). [That isn't to say that they're the only age category that donkey vote, but it's more rife amongst them than others].

[Bierkrug]

Originally Posted by Roxtin:

Nope, I've never voted ... I'm not even registered vote. Thus far in my life, I haven't come across a politician who I believe is worth my vote - so I see no need to even register. Besides, personally, I feel it's more honorable to remain silent due to being unregistered than to register, never vote and complain all the time about the government.

I don't complain about the state of the world (or America) ... I believe I have no right to voice my opinion on any political matter since I'm not a registered voter. I have lived my life, day in - day out, with no government interference ... and until I feel the government is interfering with my life, I see no reason to interject my own opinions. Not that my vote would really amount to anything.

Sure, my vote actually matters (in some extremely minute way) in local, state elections and congressional elections ... but my vote means absolutely nothing when it comes to, arguably, the most important election: the presidential election. The electoral college nullifies any significance my vote may actually have. Sure, 100+ years ago the electoral college was useful ... due to technological limitations, the average American wasn't properly informed of all issues related to the candidates. So a body of learned individuals who were abreast of the candidates was needed so that the best candidate for the times could be elected. But today, the average person knows more than enough to make an informed vote ... the electoral college is an archaic establishment which should be abolished.

Sorry, went on a bit of a tangent there.

I feel the same way as you do about this.

[Brightbane]

I'm only going to vote in 2012 if Tina Fey is running as Sarah Palin

I read that quote on a blog I follow, and it pretty much summed up my feelings. I don't want to vote for a republican because they're all promising to make gay marriage illegal, and to repeal healthcare. If that gets repealed I'll be without health insurance, which is a scary though indeed.

[advocatus]

I can, but am not voting because the NDP in my riding is an asshole.

[Bierkrug]

Democarcy is a joke. It just allows those with big money to make you think that you have some say in your govenment.

[mdmflutterby]

Originally Posted by Alexstrasza:

It's mandatory to vote in Australia, and I do vote. Been wanting to vote since I was about 12 years old.

However, this isn't the case amongst most Australians - many adolescents and teenagers end up just donkey voting (just turning up to the ballot box for the sake of it, and not writing anything on the ballot etc). [That isn't to say that they're the only age category that donkey vote, but it's more rife amongst them than others].

Tat is also because your family have been into politics for a long time.

[Saint Sinner]

I dont vote
Choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil

[Grashnak]

Originally Posted by Saint Sinner:

I dont vote
Choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil

Then choose a greater evil !

Cthulhu for President !

[Saint Sinner]

Originally Posted by Grashnak:

Then choose a greater evil !

Cthulhu for President !

well played sir ... well played

[HarleyQuinnROX]

I voted No ... but I do sometimes vote.

The reason I voted No in this poll is there is a glitch in the register where I initially enrolled and even if I do vote its not counted been going on for state and federal elections for a long time now.

I'm not the only one with this issue I get to catch up with the others who are my age that have the same issue every three to four years and see how they and their family's are at the polling booth and then argue with the fresh young thing that doesn't understand.

Personally I prefer not to vote I don't think if I could my vote would count for anything I don't believe in modern democracy ....