Day 88 of 365 days.
Today is mid term election day in the United States, and the first time I used an electronic touch screen voting machine.
Due to a particular technicality of Ohio (where I used to live) law, I have been voting in elections since I was 17 years old. The law stated that in order to vote you had to be 18 years old before the general election. The general election is always in November. My birthday is in August. We had a special election in the spring. So I was allowed to register to vote as I was going to be 18 before the general election, and since I was registered, they had to let me vote in the special election. Anyway, in 15 years of voting, I have never been registered with any of the U.S.’s political parties. I’m kind of against the two party system for many many reasons, but one thing about it REALLY irritates me. If you live in an area which is predominantly of one political party, like say where I do, where like 99% of the population are Democrats, then a lot of times someone will be running unopposed on the ballot. I HATE that! So since I have been voting, anytime I see someone running unopposed from either party, I vote for a write-in candidate. Specifically myself. Sadly, I have yet to actually win an election through my write-in campaign. So I beg you, if you haven’t yet done so today, go out and vote. And if you are unsure of who to vote for in any particular race, well, I’d appreciate your support at the polls.
Vote Early! Vote Often! Vote Maverick!
used in LJ Post: chrismaverick.livejournal.com/246349.html to announce my candidacy.
you’re funny mav! but you’re so right about that…what is there to vote on when you’re running unopposed…i mean, if everyone wrote in their own name instead of voting for said person, wouldn’t the incumbent still win?! i mean, what all but 3 people voted for John Smith? 2 of them voted for Chris Maverick and 1 voted for the incumbent…would you then be that politician? It doesn’t make any sense to me… but that’s why I try to avoid political discussions.
I’m on my way out now…gotta run a brush through my hair (or not) and throw (well, gently place) the little guy in our jogger and head to the local firehouse where I will hopefully cast a vote that makes a difference!
Great shot and great voting idea.
I’ve mostly voted Republican over the years, but many of them are pissing me off lately as much as the Dems. So, the last few years I’ve become more of an independent voter. I can’t stand someone voting for a candidate just because of the political party they belong to. Whatever happened to learning about the candidate and voting for the best person? Or at least the one that pisses you off the least.
I also live in an area that is predominately one-partied. I usually vote for the best candidate and I don’t vote for people or things that don’t affect me. I live in Ohio and everything is controversial with this election as I guess we’re supposed to switch parties in Ohio (who cares!). What I care about, though, is that our state-wide smoking ban gets passed. Truly, that is the only thing I voted for (and against since we have two Issues on the ballots for it).
i’m against the two party system as well.. just vote for the least stupid one XD
Couldn’t vote in this one, but next year Chris Maverick for everything!!
@jen: if everyone votes for themselves and gets exactly one vote, then its a tie, and you’d have to have a run-off election I guess. That’s why I’m campaigning, you see. I want to win! Have fun voting. You know, I’ll serve office in Baltimore if elected too… Just sayin’.
@jim: that’s one of the many reasons I hate political parties? What do you do if your’re pro-iraq but pro-choice as well? Or maybe you are against tax cuts but against gay marriage as well. Your head explodes. Thats why there shouldn’t be elections. I should just be made supreme ruler of the world and I’ll make all the decisions for us. I think I’d do a good job.
@Runner’s World: I’m actually against smoking bans as I consider it a violation of rights of the smoker, but I will say that I think its good that Ohio is putting it up to a state vote rather than just having a city council decide AGAINST the wishes of their constituents which is what happened here in Pittsburgh.
@Foxy: I did! Don’t you see right there next to my finger?
@Shan: Damn! Yep… I’m holding you to that.
no finger, so doesn’t count for 365 shot today…but i wanted to give you a heads up…you’re in the running!
woohoo! If I win, I’ll even move there!
*note to self…go back after naptime and stand on corner and be "electioneer" for chris maverick…*
Shannon can be your campaign manager, Mav! Good for you! Yeah, I just voted for a bunch of unopposed judges — I’ve always found that weird.
So here in MN, we have 3 candidates for Governor that will for sure get 5% of the vote or more. The Independence candidate (same party as former Gov. Jesse Ventura) is an amazing guy, but I just voted for my second choice because I don’t want to help hand the election to our current gov., a Republican. (Republicans have been pissing me off for far too long, so I’m done with them as far as I can see into the future.)
Unfortunately, whoever wins this gubernatorial election, according to most polls, WILL NOT HAVE 50%+1 of the vote, because we do not have a provision for a run-off election for the top 2 vote-getters (in the absence of 50%+1 for one candidate). If we had such a provision, I would vote for Peter Hutchinson (I) in a heartbeat, because then I’d be virtually certain not to hand the election to the incumbent (nice guy; lousy governor).
Jesse Ventura won with 39% of the vote in 1998, which means that 61% of voters voted against him. This makes no sense — why should he win without a majority?? Run-off, anyone? Anyone….?
Ah, but the two major parties would suffer under such a model, so it is not in their interest to pass such a law…. (GrrrrrrRRR!)
@George: Yeah, don’t get me started. Our voting mechanism is broken in about a billion different ways. It isn’t the best by any stretch of the imagination. Especially at the federal level. A popular vote is probably fine for mayor. But popular voting by electoral college for the presidency? Talk about favoring the status quo. But it will never change because it favors the two party system, and both parties are so ingrained into our culture as a country that neither has any reason to fight against it, and at this point both are too powerful for any of the upstart/third parties to ever become any kind of real contender.
@Jen: after a nap? Its that kind of lackluster support that keeps me from getting in to office. *sigh*
🙂
LOL, ROF — that last comment from Mav!!!
Jen, it’ll be too late after napping, what with all the travel time to Pittsburg.
Now, you can garner that vote for Mav fast by standing out on that corner, wearing nothing but a sign and a smile….
Ooooh… and if she does, I totally want pictures! 365 or not, I mean, it is my campaign and all.
And then if she ever runs for a prominent office, you can sell the photos to a tabloid!
I never understood scandals like that ruining people’s chances for office. It would totally get my vote. 😛
in other news, apparently this photo is going to be featured on nowpublic. Wacky.
We are collecting VOTE images in this new group today:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/2006_midterm_election/
Please add your photo!
I was going to vote for you for state representative but A) you’re not legally qualified, as you don’t live in my district, and B) I wanted to get home to eat dinner instead of wasting 12 seconds typing your name on a touch screen, so I didn’t vote for anyone.
I did make sure to vote for Rick Santorum, though, because he was instrumental in getting the death penalty for Saddam.
@wooble: bastard… more apathy keeping me out of office. What ward are you in for state assembly?
And my 365 Days shot for today is on NowPublic, too!
@phlewght: Can you find mine? I’m not convinced my registration worked, and I haven’t seen it.
I don’t live in any Ward (I’m outside the city), but it’s the 34th District.