Is It Ethical to Not Vote?

[Palehorse]

More than 92 million Americans who were eligible to vote four years ago didn't cast ballots.  More than enough votes to swing election results it would seem.

That being said, is it ethical to NOT vote?

I have always voted; even when the choices were, as they typically are, the lesser of two or more evils. Voting gives me the right to bitch when I do not like the path we are taking, and the right to cheer when we do. (Still waiting for the moment when the latter happens).

What say ye?

[Purplelady1040]

More than 92 million Americans who were eligible to vote four years ago didn't cast ballots.  More than enough votes to swing election results it would seem.

That being said, is it ethical to NOT vote?

I have always voted; even when the choices were, as they typically are, the lesser of two or more evils. Voting gives me the right to bitch when I do not like the path we are taking, and the right to cheer when we do. (Still waiting for the moment when the latter happens).

What say ye?

I have always voted. I sometimes feel that my vote will not count or matter but I guess I feel that by voting whether my man or woman wins or loses that I have the right to complain. If I don't vote then I lose that right to complain about the job one does in that office.

[AbbyTC]

I don't know if I would say it is ethical to not vote. It's something I think every citizen should do; that we have a privilege to do and to waste that privilege isn't smart. 

I think the question should be, is it ethical to vote uninformed?  Too many people believe what is on FB or what their neighbor tells them and never fact check.  They don't think for themselves, but follow the crowd.  Research, study, think, debate, vote.  I know some people who vote straight democrat or republican tickets, which I think is stupid.  I've voted for both political candidates depending on what they represent and if I agree with them.  Research is the key to smart voting.  Voting can and will make a difference to our future.

I have missed a few primaries, but in PA they are closed and many times only one candidate is on the ticket.  I have also missed a few minor local elections for the same reason.  One candidate running unopposed. 

[Palehorse]

What would happen if no one voted in this election and the results were no one chosen?

[Purplelady1040]

I don't know if I would say it is ethical to not vote. It's something I think every citizen should do; that we have a privilege to do and to waste that privilege isn't smart. 

I think the question should be, is it ethical to vote uninformed?  Too many people believe what is on FB or what their neighbor tells them and never fact check.  They don't think for themselves, but follow the crowd.  Research, study, think, debate, vote.  I know some people who vote straight democrat or republican tickets, which I think is stupid.  I've voted for both political candidates depending on what they represent and if I agree with them.  Research is the key to smart voting.  Voting can and will make a difference to our future.

I have missed a few primaries, but in PA they are closed and many times only one candidate is on the ticket.  I have also missed a few minor local elections for the same reason.  One candidate running unopposed.

Agree and same here. I have missed a few elections when someone was running unopposed but I agree it is a privilege. In some countries, people have to vote a certain way and I am glad to have the freedom to vote for who I want.

[Purplelady1040]

What would happen if no one voted in this election and the results were no one chosen?

Interesting question.

[The Troll]

Interesting question.

  Of the four running, I find Hillary the most qualified.  Over the years the Republicans have lied so much about her, they got the dumbasses believing she is crooked and she is not.     I am voting straight Democrat, I sure don't want someone worse than George W. Bush,  someone like Donald Trump.   

[Locutus]

  Of the four running, I find Hillary the most qualified. 

Hillary is far and away the most qualified person to run for president in a long time.  Only the haters can't/won't see that. 

[Anne]

I don't it is unethical to not vote, but I feel that if you don't vote then you shouldn't complain. I have voted in every election since I was 21 except for one primary. I never vote a straight ticket. I will vote this November, but I'm still haven't made up my mind about the vote for President.

Maybe if no one voted, since there are presidential term limits, the next in line would become President.

[libby]

  Of the four running, I find Hillary the most qualified.  Over the years the Republicans have lied so much about her, they got the dumbasses believing she is crooked and she is not.     I am voting straight Democrat, 

Hillary is far and away the most qualified person to run for president in a long time.  Only the haters can't/won't see that. 

I absolutely agree.

[Purplelady1040]

I don't it is unethical to not vote, but I feel that if you don't vote then you shouldn't complain. I have voted in every election since I was 21 except for one primary. I never vote a straight ticket. I will vote this November, but I'm still haven't made up my mind about the vote for President.

Maybe if no one voted, since there are presidential term limits, the next in line would become President.

I don't think it works that way for the next in line.

[Anne]

I don't think it works that way for the next in line.

I'm not sure it would work that way either, but my thinking is there are term limits for President so whoever was President could not serve beyond the eight years if he/she were in their second term. There aren't term limits for VP or other office holders so maybe the order of succession could work. On the other hand I suppose the President could declare a state of emergency and just keep on being President. I can't imagine no one voting unless there was some terrible disaster and the election was postponed.

[Purplelady1040]

I'm not sure it would work that way either, but my thinking is there are term limits for President so whoever was President could not serve beyond the eight years if he/she were in their second term. There aren't term limits for VP or other office holders so maybe the order of succession could work. On the other hand I suppose the President could declare a state of emergency and just keep on being President. I can't imagine no one voting unless there was some terrible disaster and the election was postponed.

Considering that the President is elected by the electoral college which needs to be done away with, I am sure they would find a way to elect someone even without an election, possibly.

[Anne]

Considering that the President is elected by the electoral college which needs to be done away with, I am sure they would find a way to elect someone even without an election, possibly.

You are probably right, there is always a loophole.

[The Troll]

I don't it is unethical to not vote, but I feel that if you don't vote then you shouldn't complain. I have voted in every election since I was 21 except for one primary. I never vote a straight ticket. I will vote this November, but I'm still haven't made up my mind about the vote for President.

Maybe if no one voted, since there are presidential term limits, the next in line would become President.

Yo

  You better think really hard Anne.     You surly have some good common sense in that hard head of yours.     Really, what kind of government would we have under Donald Trump.