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Today I gave anyone in my company that wanted to vote the ability to miss PT as long as they gave me the "I voted" sticker they hand out once a ballot is cast. Not a single Soldier took me up on this offer. Approximately 80% of my company are residents of Tennessee so being away from their polling station does not apply. When talking to the ones that aren't residents of Tennessee all of them told me they didn't mail in a ballot for one reason or another. Why do you think Soldiers, Warrant Officers, and Commissioned Officers chose not to vote? This is a right they are willing to lay down their lives for through their military service however they chose not to.
Voting
Politics
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 70
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SGM (Join to see) The only thing that I can think of is that many feel that their votes don't matter.
I would argue that with this many positions up for grabs, this election cycle is crucial.
And, I agree with SFC Mark Merino if you don't vote, I don't want to hear anything, not a word. You may not get what you want out of the elections, but at least you got to say something.
I would argue that with this many positions up for grabs, this election cycle is crucial.
And, I agree with SFC Mark Merino if you don't vote, I don't want to hear anything, not a word. You may not get what you want out of the elections, but at least you got to say something.
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CPO Vaughn Dooley
LCpl Mark LaBarbara - So how is he a wannabe Dictator? Because he fired people that were not doing thier jobs?
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CPO Vaughn Dooley
MSgt Robert Gazy - Are you not going to vote? Or are you going to vote for Her? Please explain why you think he is an authoritarian... Because he fired people that were not doing thier jobs?
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TSgt (Join to see)
SP5 Michael Lewis - What was it called Poco Loco. Maybe yu thinned the herd to much. President Trump NEVER SUPPORTED PROJECT 2025.
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Great thread Top. If you don't does not vote, then you are un-officially not allowed to complain....lol
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Maj James Tippins
MSG (Join to see) - No apologies. It is your opinion.
I wish you would look closer at the differences in the candidates, but at the end of the day, all of us worry about our close personal lives. We seldom think beyond a few minutes about the federal government.
I wish you would look closer at the differences in the candidates, but at the end of the day, all of us worry about our close personal lives. We seldom think beyond a few minutes about the federal government.
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SPC Matt Ovaska
CPT David Coffman - Working for Trump could be hazardous to you health. The CIA will be after you. I joined the Tea Party when unqualified Obama was in Office. I got audited by the IRS. A year later they said I did a good job on my taxes.
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TSgt (Join to see)
On this idea of not complaining if you do no vote. I support in person oting unless duty AO prevents going to the ballot. I contract support US forces OCONUS. I pay $$$$ to fly home and vote in person
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CPO Vaughn Dooley
CPT Jerry Lucas - WOW endorsements of Progressive candidates! Climate justice? LOL That is nothing but a liberal left wing group. We are supposed to believe what they have to say?
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CPT Jerry Lucas
CPO Vaughn Dooley - Which is better than the conservative right wing groups like The Heritage Foundation.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Capt Richard Block -President Trump does not support 2025. So i do not support 2025. You must have left something out. I know if it was good for the country Presdident Trump would be on board
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SMSgt Joseph Shinners
Not so much that he doesn't believe in 2025, but more a suggestion that he doesn't know anything about it. I think that take is along the lines of Obama's comment to Putin that he will be more flexible after the election. A universal truth for all politicians. You have to get into office first, so leave controversial topics out of your commentary.
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SGM (Join to see)
Because they are uninformed, while this is not a good thing, I wish more people who did not understand what they are voting for took the opportunity to not vote.
Pushing people to vote, who have no idea about the issues or the people on the ballot gets us personalities instead of people of substance. There is little difference, in my opinion, between the two parties. Most of the electorate does not even understand what it means to be a Republic…heck most of the electorate does not even know we are a Republic?
Last, I would not want to miss PT to vote...there are less important things to miss...but I will find the time to vote.
Because they are uninformed, while this is not a good thing, I wish more people who did not understand what they are voting for took the opportunity to not vote.
Pushing people to vote, who have no idea about the issues or the people on the ballot gets us personalities instead of people of substance. There is little difference, in my opinion, between the two parties. Most of the electorate does not even understand what it means to be a Republic…heck most of the electorate does not even know we are a Republic?
Last, I would not want to miss PT to vote...there are less important things to miss...but I will find the time to vote.
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MSG Brad Sand
MSG (Join to see) - the reason for lowering the age to 18 is because an 18-year-old is legally considered an adult. While I do not agree that it was a smart move, it is the law of the land.
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MSG (Join to see)
MSG Brad Sand Thats my point. Law of the land on a faulty premise which is why I joking said 16, its just as ludacris but everyone has been conditioned to the contrary with 18, when you can't excercise many key rights as a citizen.
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Maj James Tippins
MSG Brad Sand - Gosh. 10 years ago and nothing has changed. To be honest, I thought this was a current post. As I approach 72, I guess I am not as observant. Thanks for the update.
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SGM (Join to see) I have to applaud you for doing what you can to help motivate your soldiers to get involved. 2 thumbs up!
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SGM (Join to see), this is troubling "news." I'm not surprised though, because so many Americans decide not to vote. I guess they can't be bothered. I posted elsewhere on RallyPoint that 40 to 50 percent turnout in a non-presidential election is considered a very good turnout. In a presidential year, 50 to 60 percent is considered good.
I guess people assume their one vote doesn't count for much, but - as you so rightly point out - we (active duty Soldiers, anyhow) put our lives on the line based on the decisions our elected officials make.
It's very disappointing to hear this, but not surprising. Check out the chart in this article. It's pitiful, really.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/24/voter-turnout-always-drops-off-for-midterm-elections-but-why/
I guess people assume their one vote doesn't count for much, but - as you so rightly point out - we (active duty Soldiers, anyhow) put our lives on the line based on the decisions our elected officials make.
It's very disappointing to hear this, but not surprising. Check out the chart in this article. It's pitiful, really.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/24/voter-turnout-always-drops-off-for-midterm-elections-but-why/
Voter turnout always drops off for midterm elections, but why?
Voter turnout, no matter how measured, is consistently lower in midterm elections compared to presidential election years. Political scientists aren't sure why, but have some ideas.
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CW5 (Join to see)
And kudos to you, SGM (Join to see), for promoting voting in that way. You'd think that Soldiers would take advantage of such a good "offer."
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Cpl Thomas Winch
That article is ten years old. I’d be interested to see of that downward trend has continued.
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Many Americans are more interested in voting their top idol or talent artists than vote for who governs them.
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Maj James Tippins
Indeed, it's like they are voting for prom queen instead of leader of the free world.
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I think many soldiers take issue with what they consider to be a lack of quality candidates - or even of political ideologies. It's the inherent flaw in a two-party system. We've all heard the jokes about choosing the "lesser of two evils" in elections, but I think there is some actual merit to this notion (at least, in attempting to understand voting trends).
If you break it down objectively by where the parties are at today, you see this:
The younger demographic (the bulk of our fighting force) is predominantly left-leaning on social issues. But where the Democratic Party would pick up these votes, they simultaneously lose them because of the "anti-military" stigma that the party carries (be it right or wrong).
Meanwhile, the GOP is having a hard enough time reaching lifelong Republican voters, much less young voters. Despite its hallmark "pro-military" appeal, the Republican Party can't win the votes of these young voters because of the aforementioned social issues.
I also think that more and more young Americans are inclined to identify with third-party candidates. And so this is the issue that we face:
"If I agree with Candidate A on 2 out of 10 issues, and I agree with Candidate B on 3 out of 10 issues, why would I vote for either of them?"
So, if it is apathy, I think it's a different kind of apathy. Not "my vote doesn't matter," but rather, "it's just two sides of the same coin, which I want nothing to do with."
If you break it down objectively by where the parties are at today, you see this:
The younger demographic (the bulk of our fighting force) is predominantly left-leaning on social issues. But where the Democratic Party would pick up these votes, they simultaneously lose them because of the "anti-military" stigma that the party carries (be it right or wrong).
Meanwhile, the GOP is having a hard enough time reaching lifelong Republican voters, much less young voters. Despite its hallmark "pro-military" appeal, the Republican Party can't win the votes of these young voters because of the aforementioned social issues.
I also think that more and more young Americans are inclined to identify with third-party candidates. And so this is the issue that we face:
"If I agree with Candidate A on 2 out of 10 issues, and I agree with Candidate B on 3 out of 10 issues, why would I vote for either of them?"
So, if it is apathy, I think it's a different kind of apathy. Not "my vote doesn't matter," but rather, "it's just two sides of the same coin, which I want nothing to do with."
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MSG (Join to see)
That isn't apathy; voting for "the lesser of the 2 evils" is still voting for evil.
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I asked at my polling location and they said that it was one of the best turnouts they have had in a long time.
I allow any of my employees time of to go vote. Yesterday it was only 50% that went and voted.
I allow any of my employees time of to go vote. Yesterday it was only 50% that went and voted.
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I believe to many folks get hung up that their vote doesn't count when it comes to POTUS so why bother. They forget about all the critical local or state issues that will effect them. They just really don't see the big picture with the house and senate and how important it can be. They also think about all the corruption and BS that surrounds our politicians. So all we can do is keep at them and convince them it is their civic duty and responsibility to leave our country in good hands for future generations.
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