Tell HN: Please Vote

Why is this flagged? And don't come whining how you don't like political content here.

I don't like political content in my daily life, but political content decided it will meet me in the grocery store, gas station, etc. And I don't even get the same political content as those poor people in Ukraine or Gaza or Tehran.

Also, if you vote, that shows that your demographic (age, gender, region, etc) matters to the process and thus matters for how candidates build their platform and parties choose their candidates.

Wait, Colin. You're Canadian. You already had your election day. Stay in your lane!

The strongest sign of a healthy democracy is that people participate in it.

A counter would be that if people have to be badgered into doing it it's maybe not so healthy.

Withholding your vote is valid - ofc why you do that can be positive or negative wrt democratic health.

Voting matters. I'm in a deep red state and will vote blue. There's zero chance the people I vote for will be elected.

My vote still matters. It still influence the flow of money both locally and nationally. It still sends a signal.

I hope the whole nation shifts my way, and in case there's any doubt or claims of fraud, I want it to be seen that my area shifted the same way too. It makes lies about fraud that much harder to support.

Voting is the best bang for your buck to make your opinion known. Granted, if you openly campaign or start an organization, you might have more influence than voting, but these things require much much more effort. Voting is very efficient and worth the small effort required.

Nothing says F U to politicians quite like voting against them every time. There are some people I want to say that to. You probably do too, so vote.

> A democracy with 75% voter turnout is healthier than a democracy with 50% voter turnout even exactly the same politicians got elected, because citizens participating in a democratic process signals that they value the process and want to keep it.

I disagree.

In Russia in 2024, Vladimir Putin got 87% of the vote, with 78% reported voter turnout, far higher than in any US election. Do you think that signals that Russian citizens value democracy and want to keep the current process, where Putin invariably wins by a landslide?

I'm not saying that people shouldn't get out and vote if they feel so moved. But voter turnout isn't intrinsically good or bad, nor does it signal a healthy democracy.

What DOES signal a healthy democracy?

- Meaningful electoral choice, including the choice of minor-party candidates. Ranked-choice voting can help here, because it's not as susceptible to vote spoiling as the "first past the post" system currently in widespread use in the US.

- Non-gerrymandered districts. Independent review and judicial checks and balances can help.

- Electoral competitiveness, where incumbents and established parties can realistically lose power. Term limits can help here.

- Accountability of elected officials.

- Integrity of the electoral process.

- Peaceful transfer of power.

Remember, even if you hate everyone on the ballot, you can still write in or spoil it! Make your discontent known

Wife and I voted in Iowa last week. Normally I volunteer at the polls for my small county each election too, but they didn't need volunteers this year!

Also, this is last national election of the Trump era, so have your say while you still can!

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Buy a lottery ticket and thank a guy who was tricked into go to war to kill kids in foreign lands for your billionaires while you’re at it.

Struggling to find the difference between the blue AIPAC vs the red AIPAC recipient. For now, it's over.