Why do you think voting is or isn't important? (reddthat.com)

submitted 1 month ago by PumpkinDrama@reddthat.com to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I haven’t voted in years after reading the argument that voting mainly serves to slot you into a cohort, making it easier for governments and corporations to profile you. Recently I heard someone argue the opposite angle: don’t vote because none of the politicians deserve you. A comedian mocked that stance as basically holding your breath when you are angry.

Now I’m conflicted because both arguments feel compelling in different ways. What are your strongest arguments for voting, or against voting?

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[-] hoshikarakitaridia@lemmy.world 15 points 1 month ago

Against voting:

feels like it doesn't matter
the choices often suck

For voting:

it evidently does matter
it's the most efficient way to give your political opinion some weight

Also I assume the down votes are for the following reasons:

not voting only serves unpopular politicians and parties
not voting being promoted through a post like this one would exacerbate this issue
the science is pretty settled that voting matters, even if it feels like it doesn't, so making this topic debatable seems disingenuous

I assume you are being honest, so let me make this clear once again: a voting populus is what stands between a democracy and a dictatorship. Not only do dictators dismantle voting rights wherever they can, but it's also the best tool to keep them away.

"You are but a cog in the machine yet it is your decision to turn." - me, high off my ass

[-] Dalacos@lemmy.world 10 points 1 month ago

Canada (I'm Canadian) had quite the turn last election. We were almost surely going into a conservative religious-dominant government until our southern friends showed us the error of that way.

I generally don't vote to be honest. But now? Well. To be entirely frank...

Fuck me.

As someone who is very poor and one step away from being on the streets (which I won't do so one step away from... y'know) I was expecting a conservative government to gut everything I rely on.

Instead I've been at a work resource center and they've been telling me now is a "hot time" to do things like government funded retraining. Specifically due to the government that's in power now.

So yeah. Maybe I should get in a line and vote. Turns out it makes a difference.

this post was submitted on 20 Dec 2025

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