Bando
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
I've got some regrets!
Posts: 2,431
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Post by Bando on Sept 11, 2008 20:36:14 GMT -5
The deadline for most states is within the next week or so. Don't argue about politics all day here only to find out you can't vote in November! Both the Democratic and Republican parties can get you registered with minimal hassle. If you're registered, double check that you haven't been purged. If you're not registered, what are you waiting for?
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vcjack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,875
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Post by vcjack on Sept 11, 2008 20:39:30 GMT -5
"If you're not registered, what are you waiting for?"
An election where the outcome is not all but assured?
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GIGAFAN99
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 4,487
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Post by GIGAFAN99 on Sept 11, 2008 20:39:58 GMT -5
If you're not registered, what are you waiting for? Not to be effectively disenfranchised from the presidential election by the antiquated electoral college system?
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Post by Coast2CoastHoya on Sept 11, 2008 20:46:10 GMT -5
Zing!
Yeah, did you know that Wyoming's clout in presidential elections because of the electoral college is more than 600% more than what it would be if elections were based on population alone? Says something doesn't it .....
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
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Post by Boz on Sept 11, 2008 22:21:29 GMT -5
I'm not in favor of straight popular vote (which, based on history, would not favor Democrats over Republicans, contrary to popular belief centered around 2000), but the idea of proportional electors isn't all that bad. I don't think it should be done selectively though, like JUST in Colorado & Maine, so I think you'd need a Constitutional amendment....which, of course, will never happen. (Prof. Obama or another Constitutional law wonk can correct me if I'm wrong on that; I don't claim to be an expert on that issue) I'm also in favor of an (easy) Civics test to vote...but then again, I'm an elitist.
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The Stig
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,844
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Post by The Stig on Sept 11, 2008 22:43:02 GMT -5
I think it's everybody's civic duty to vote, regardless of whether your state's competitive.
Proportional electors would be a big improvement over the current system. Also, evidence has shown that holding elections on a weekend results in higher turnout. Personally, I wouldn't mind a mandatory voting law like they have in Australia.
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Post by strummer8526 on Sept 11, 2008 23:08:37 GMT -5
I think it's everybody's civic duty to vote, regardless of whether your state's competitive. Proportional electors would be a big improvement over the current system. Also, evidence has shown that holding elections on a weekend results in higher turnout. Personally, I wouldn't mind a mandatory voting law like they have in Australia. I always go back and forth on this. To some extent, I agree: our elected officials should be truly representative of this country. But then again, if there's one group of people I trust even less to make a good decision than the 60% of this country that votes, it's the 40% of this country that doesn't.
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Sept 11, 2008 23:12:03 GMT -5
wait what do you mean check to make sure I haven't been purged? How does that happen? how can i check to make sure it hasn't happend to me? and How do I fix it if it turns out it has happened to me?
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Bando
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
I've got some regrets!
Posts: 2,431
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Post by Bando on Sept 12, 2008 0:41:51 GMT -5
wait what do you mean check to make sure I haven't been purged? How does that happen? how can i check to make sure it hasn't happend to me? and How do I fix it if it turns out it has happened to me? It happens all the time, actually. Sometimes its partisan (witness recent attempts by Republican state officials to purge people whose homes have been foreclosed), sometimes it's not (I was purged from the DC voter rolls once, for what reason, I have no idea). You should call your local or state elections board and verify that you're registered (DC has this online, other states may vary).
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FewFAC
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,032
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Post by FewFAC on Sept 12, 2008 2:30:46 GMT -5
wait what do you mean check to make sure I haven't been purged? How does that happen? how can i check to make sure it hasn't happend to me? and How do I fix it if it turns out it has happened to me? Or to put it more plainly: Republicans spend all of their campaign donations or federal money on clearing the rolls of people inclined to vote against them. It's how they won the hanging chads. Check out my striped shirt!
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EasyEd
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 7,272
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Post by EasyEd on Sept 12, 2008 6:19:18 GMT -5
If you live in Illinois make sure you check to see if you have been purged in all the places you plan on voting. Also, if you are dead, ensure they have not purged your name.
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Post by strummer8526 on Sept 12, 2008 6:48:41 GMT -5
Also, if your name sounds kind of like a felon's---which probably just means the powers-that-be think you are black or think your name sounds like you could be black---then make sure to check. Of course, if you actually are black and planning to vote in a predominantly black area, plan to take off work the entire day because the lines will be around the block to get to your 1 working voting machine.
Also, Bando, it's sort of disheartening to see that your vote will be about as valuable as Elvado's would be in Utah. I'm clinging to my NJ registration as long as possible. Not exactly a battleground, but at least it's not a complete lock.
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Post by JohnJacquesLayup on Sept 12, 2008 8:08:49 GMT -5
Just checked Marylands registration deadline (moved recently and never updated my new address) and the deadline is 3 weeks prior to the general election. May be similar in other states.
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Filo
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,910
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Post by Filo on Sept 12, 2008 9:04:54 GMT -5
Also, Bando, it's sort of disheartening to see that your vote will be about as valuable as Elvado's would be in Utah. I'm clinging to my NJ registration as long as possible. Not exactly a battleground, but at least it's not a complete lock. Disheartening? I think it is a great thing that Bando and Elvado will cancel each other out. Hopefully, we can all meet in the middle between pinko liberal communism and reactionary fascism. ;D* * And, yes, that's a joke so don't get all bent out of shape, fellas. Also - I have no idea what "pinko" means but I have always gotten a kick out of that term.
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Bando
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
I've got some regrets!
Posts: 2,431
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Post by Bando on Sept 12, 2008 10:48:02 GMT -5
Also, if your name sounds kind of like a felon's---which probably just means the powers-that-be think you are black or think your name sounds like you could be black---then make sure to check. Of course, if you actually are black and planning to vote in a predominantly black area, plan to take off work the entire day because the lines will be around the block to get to your 1 working voting machine. Also, Bando, it's sort of disheartening to see that your vote will be about as valuable as Elvado's would be in Utah. I'm clinging to my NJ registration as long as possible. Not exactly a battleground, but at least it's not a complete lock. Well, it's the drawback to my "refuse to move to Arlington" life strategy, along with not having Congressional representation. Also, I believe it's kc who's in Utah. I don't know where Elvado lives.
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
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Post by Boz on Sept 12, 2008 10:50:36 GMT -5
Disheartening? I think it is a great thing that Bando and Elvado will cancel each other out. Hopefully, we can all meet in the middle between pinko liberal communism and reactionary fascism. ;D* * And, yes, that's a joke so don't get all bent out of shape, fellas. Also - I have no idea what "pinko" means but I have always gotten a kick out of that term. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinko
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
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Post by Boz on Sept 12, 2008 10:53:51 GMT -5
Well, it's the drawback to my "refuse to move to Arlington" life strategy, along with not having Congressional representation. Voting issues aside, not a bad strategy. (yes, I am a self-hating Arlingtonian, but at least I might be able to help elect McCain) Based on his supreme affection for Villanova and Billy King, I'm pretty sure 'vado is a Philly man.
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tgo
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 803
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Post by tgo on Sept 12, 2008 12:36:09 GMT -5
I think it's everybody's civic duty to vote, regardless of whether your state's competitive. Proportional electors would be a big improvement over the current system. Also, evidence has shown that holding elections on a weekend results in higher turnout. Personally, I wouldn't mind a mandatory voting law like they have in Australia. what US elections are held on the weekends? i have never participated in one so i dont know how much those areas see a boost in their voter turn out. as for mandatory voting, that is the worst possible idea ever. why do people want to make it easier to vote? who are these people who cant take a few minutes out of their day on a weekday to vote, there are laws that require you to get breaktime to vote if you cant get to the polls outside of work hours. and why do we want these people to decide important things? if someone cares and knows so little about what is going on that they cant be bothered to vote on a tuesday why do we want to go out of our way to get them to be part of the process of deciding the course of our nation? How about we have a compulsory service requirement in this country where at some point in your life you have to serve as a city council member or state rep for a year or two? how is forcing people to vote any better of an idea than that? you cant stop idiots from voting any more than you can stop them from having children but that doesnt mean they should be encouraged to use their stupidity to ruin everyone elses lives.
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The Stig
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,844
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Post by The Stig on Sept 12, 2008 12:47:34 GMT -5
The turnout boost by moving to weekends has been observed in foreign countries.
I think every American should vote, regardless of intelligence. It's part of our civic duty as citizens. I think that voter turnout is a key part of measuring the health of a democracy.
It would also moderate politics. Right now American politicians don't win elections by getting undecided people to support them, they win by getting their base to turn out in greater numbers than their opponents' base. That means they push policies that appeal to the more radical segments of the population, not the undecided moderates. If turnout suddenly isn't an issue, then politicians would start fighting more to convert moderates instead of appealing to ideologues. That goes for both parties.
I personally think some form of compulsory public service isn't a bad idea.
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EasyEd
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 7,272
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Post by EasyEd on Sept 12, 2008 12:50:22 GMT -5
Also, Bando, it's sort of disheartening to see that your vote will be about as valuable as Elvado's would be in Utah. I'm clinging to my NJ registration as long as possible. Not exactly a battleground, but at least it's not a complete lock. Disheartening? I think it is a great thing that Bando and Elvado will cancel each other out. Hopefully, we can all meet in the middle between pinko liberal communism and reactionary fascism. ;D* * And, yes, that's a joke so don't get all bent out of shape, fellas. Also - I have no idea what "pinko" means but I have always gotten a kick out of that term. Guess they don't cover such mundane subjects as communism in schools anymore. Takes too much time away from sex education.
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