If i hand in a blank Ballot during an election

[Johnnny]

Does it still count as me voting? I think so but some people dont.


I just ask cause some old geezer made a big deal about it once in St Thomas when he overheard me say this to my friend at the pub.

Am i wasting the systems time by doing this as compared to not voting? Or am i doing my part as a voter?

Personally i dont like Harper, Ignatiaff sucks and layton who?But i want to have a say

 

[Corduroy]

When you do that who are you voting for?

 

[Johnnny]

i dont like no confidence

 

[Cannuck]

I vote for whoever isn't one of the big three parties. Green or Socreds run candidates sometimes in my riding. I will spoil my ballot if nobody else runs.

 

[Machjo]

Does it still count as me voting? I think so but some people dont.


I just ask cause some old geezer made a big deal about it once in St Thomas when he overheard me say this to my friend at the pub.

Am i wasting the systems time by doing this as compared to not voting? Or am i doing my part as a voter?

Personally i dont like Harper, Ignatiaff sucks and layton who?But i want to have a say

First off, Harper, Ignatieff, and Layton don't run in the same ridings, so I don't see how you can have all of them as a choice.

However, I do agree that handing in a blank ballot counts as voting. You're voting for 'other'. I've handed in a blank ballot once before myself in fact, but I will always go out to vote.

When you do that who are you voting for?

Unfortunately, there is no blank space in which to write a name in yourself, so blank has to do.

I vote for whoever isn't one of the big three parties. Green or Socreds run candidates sometimes in my riding. I will spoil my ballot if nobody else runs.

Interesting. Running as an independent is a big plus when I'm deciding whom to vote for. Besides that though, I'll still consider the candidate's ideas, and if a member of the big three shows himself to be more principled than the independent, I'll still consider voting for him.

 

[Johnnny]

First off, Harper, Ignatieff, and Layton don't run in the same ridings, so I don't see how you can have all of them as a choice.

sorry i meant there underlings

 

[Machjo]

sorry i meant there underlings

OK. I never vote for underlings. I'll always lean towards independent candidates, but if I must vote party-member, he must show some independent-mindedness. If there is no such candidate, then I'll likely hand in a blank ballot.

 

[lone wolf]

If you got your name stroked off the list, you told them you give a damn. I think that's all that really matters because when it comes to the dog and pony show, they're all interchangeable. One of them is just a better turd than the rest.

 

[Cliffy]

I think putting an X through the ballot says more than a blank one. X vote means you voted your conscience and blank one says you don't care. Every ballot should have a "None of the Above" column.

 

[Johnnny]

id like to see none of the above

 

[Machjo]

I think putting an X through the ballot says more than a blank one. X vote means you voted your conscience and blank one says you don't care. Every ballot should have a "None of the Above" column.

Or better yet, a blank column where you can write in the name of whoever you want. In principle, in a democracy you should be able to vote for who you want and not be limited by the names on the ballot.

 

[petros]

Vote for yourself.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

Does it still count as me voting? I think so but some people dont.

Yes it does. You'll have showed up at the polling station,had your name checked off on the voters' list, been given a ballot, gone into the voting booth, turned in your ballot, as far as the official records are concerned, you voted. Nobody but you will know you turned in a blank ballot. It'll count as a spoiled ballot, which is a perfectly legitimate protest.

 

[Bar Sinister]

The Aussies have a term for such an action. They call it "voting informal" and tend to vote that way when the choices are so limited they can't bring themselves to vote for any party.

 

[Johnnny]

I guess that fellow at the bar was just a lush. BTW i got kicked out of that bar cause i told the old man to "Watch you ****ing mouth"

Thanks everyone for filling me in, and i appreciate the feedback.

 

[Corduroy]

Yes it does. You'll have showed up at the polling station,had your name checked off on the voters' list, been given a ballot, gone into the voting booth, turned in your ballot, as far as the official records are concerned, you voted. Nobody but you will know you turned in a blank ballot. It'll count as a spoiled ballot, which is a perfectly legitimate protest.

But if he voted, who did he vote for?

 

[Trotz]

Have never met a local MLA and, other than their picture covered by gratiffi at a local bus stop, they don't do much campaigning and don't have a platform to speak of.

Career politicians annoy me

 

[weaselwords]

If you are going to go the polls NEVER submit a blank ballot this can lead to voting irregularities. If you are going protest vote spoil the ballot. You can check off all candidates, you can take a magic marker and osbcure all canditates names but whatever you do make sure its the same for all candidates as scrutineers & the courts (if recounts are involved) are looking for preference.

 

[earth_as_one]

Yes it does. You'll have showed up at the polling station,had your name checked off on the voters' list, been given a ballot, gone into the voting booth, turned in your ballot, as far as the official records are concerned, you voted. Nobody but you will know you turned in a blank ballot. It'll count as a spoiled ballot, which is a perfectly legitimate protest.

I suppose. But spoiled ballots are also caused by people who can't following instructions.

We should be able to vote for none of the above. If none of the above wins, then the election has to run again with different people.

 

[lone wolf]

You can.... It's called a "spoiled ballot" ;-)