this post was submitted on 08 Aug 2023
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askchapo

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Still new here and trying to figure things out. Regarding voting, I'd like to get some feedback on some thoughts I've had.

I get that voting D/R is pointless since Ds just seatwarm for Rs at best, and actively implement R policies at worst. They have no incentive to work for left policies, and R policies will ultimately benefit them personally.

That being said, we're "punished" for not voting D by getting an actual insane R in office. If Rs are in control its way worse, right? or, maybe it has to get worse to get better?

So what is the dominant strategy here for National elections? My personal vote is extremely minor and unimportant so keeping that in mind, I can:

  1. not vote - Lower participation rate shows I don't endorse the system, and if enough people don't vote, does it mean anything?

  2. vote third party - I like this idea since, although super unlikely, it gives more pressure to D and R to moderate (lol) as neither want to lose power. Write in votes aren't going to turn in to anything big without some serious organizing, but I don't know if there's ever been a serious attempt to organize a mass write in campaign? Or if there will even be a viable third party candidate in 2024?

  3. vote D - ๐Ÿคฎ

  4. Something else?

I haven't seen this discussed much in the short time I've been here so maybe I'm missing something obvious or misunderstanding something above, so would appreciate any help. Maybe the real answer is it really doesn't matter, but would like to make the best limited choice I can

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[โ€“] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Personally I voot bloo but I don't make a big deal about it or lib out trying to make other people voot as well because that's cringe as hell

[โ€“] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

last election I just wrote in stalin and lenin repeatedly for any race that didn't have a radical enough candidate, so you could try that

[โ€“] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I live in a state that will likely never come close to voting anything other than republican within my lifetime. I personally show up to vote for local elections and vote for whatever socialist presidential nominee out of spite.

While my politics are ML I would consider voting for someone like Bernie again because I still find it favorable to the alternative.

[โ€“] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (8 children)

Vote for Democrats in the general because it's better for the seat to be warned than occupied.

Vote progressive in primaries to get better Democrats in place.

[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well said. Half the country is already exercising option 1, and that's not creating positive change. ACTUAL change is local, and slow. You need ground-swell to affect national elections.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (8 children)

Heart in the Primary. Head in the General.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (9 children)

You hold your nose and vote for the D.

Then you go out and work for good candidates in the D primaries.

Third party candidates only help the GOP. Anderson in 1980, and Nader in 2000. The GOP was pouring money to the Greens and Libertarians in 2016.

[โ€“] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Nader in 2000

lol, imagine still whining about Nader and not realizing 2000 was a stolen election.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (45 children)

You need to still vote Democrat. Even if they aren't perfect, they're still better than letting a Republican in. Republicans always vote.

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