Wasting a vote?
The conversation started with a statement by the other person saying something to the effect that neither candidate is the clear choice in his mind. To which I responded that I have been having the same thought. I also said that he should remember to take a coin with him when he goes to vote so that he can toss it up and let chance choose for him. His response was that he was probably not going to vote at all because he wasn’t the type to vote based on a “lesser evil” (my interpretation not his). This got me to thinking, is that really a good thing? Isn’t that “wasting” a vote?
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not judging that person with this post. I am in fact grateful for the conversation because it did get me thinking about the subject that I have kind of been avoiding. Who am I going to vote for and am I better off not doing so since I can’t make up my mind, especially in the Governor’s primary race.
To understand where I am coming from and why I would even consider not voting and just letting the chips fall where they may is because not one of the candidates have distanced themselves from each other in my mind. I think they make valid points on both sides about their qualifications and I think they both take jabs at each other in their own ways that I don’t necessarily like as well. Those in either camp will probably say that there are huge differences and they have been pointing them out to me for months on end now and I am just being lazy and stupid. And that very well could be, but that is neither here nor there. The fact remains that in MY mind, they are essentially the same.
So both candidates being the same and say equally good and bad, does it really matter who wins? So no sense vote right? Well, here is where I have to say I don’t think that is going to be my choice. I think there is another factor and that is relationships. I have a number of friends who are involved in the campaign and although none has outright asked who am I going to vote for or how can they get my vote, I think my relationship with them requires my participation in this election by voting for the person who they are supporting.
Now, is this right? I mean, my friends aren’t the ones who are getting into office. How could voting based on who they are supporting be the right thing to do? I think this is the right thing to do because:
2. They are my friends. My friends must share some of the same values that I do or we really couldn’t be friends. Not for the values that “count” and I would think that those are some of the ones that come into play when talking about something that affects all of our lives here in Hawaii.
3. Ultimately, if I am going to “throw something away” (like my right to place a vote for a candidate) then why not “give it” to my friends? After all, if I had something that I totally wasn’t going to use at all and I knew my friend wanted it and could use it I would give it to that friend. Isn’t it a little rude to say, “I know you want this, but I’d rather throw it away than give it to you.”?
So I WILL BE casting a vote this election. Who it will be for I am really not sure of yet, but at least I know my vote will not be thrown away. How about you?
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My feeling on the matter was not so much that I can’t decide between the candidates, but moreso that I feel none of them are what I would consider right for the job. The “lesser of two evils” analogy would be more like who is the “least unqualified” for me. And since I feel that no candidate for governor this year is truly right for the job at this point in time, I will not be casting a vote. I’m sure some may feel that I’m “wasting” my vote. But I would rather not vote than vote for someone I don’t think is qualified.
Isn’t the problem with “at this point in time” is that time waits for no one. And the fact of the matter is SOMEONE is going to get elected Governor this year and it is going to be ONE of the candidates.
So my point personal conclusion is that maybe if you find yourself in a position where it really doesn’t mean anything to you and you’re gonna just toss it. Maybe you should give it to a friend who could use it. Because whether we like it or not, we don’t have the time to wait for the “right one” in THIS election. It’s gonna happen.
And again, I just want to point out, that I am truly grateful for you saying something at the time you did because it did get me thinking. I hadn’t realized the primary was so close and I would have to decide so soon. ALSO, I am not trying to impose my decision on you, I am merely suggesting that there may be some points that you may not have considered when coming to your decision. My wife with benefits (Melanie) and my wife without benefits (Melissa) are very good at pointing those kinds of things out to me that I don’t always see until they do.
In the end I feel best if you do what you feel the most comfortable doing for yourself regardless.
Guys, there are still people around the world who are dying (literally) for their right to vote. I work on a campaign, but I’m more upset to hear about people who don’t vote at all, than who they vote for. And, I might add, there’s more on that ballot than the guys running for governor. Do your part as an American, and at least register & pull a ballot. Every one of those seats will be filled….will you be a part of the process?
At times I feel like you do and I appreciate you sharing. But vote I will! My civic kuleana is to become as informed as possible…which is no small task unfortunately.