I'm mystified and perturbed -- how can there be so many non-voters in this country?

[SharonRB]

There was a local art fair today, and I did a two-hour shift for the Obama campaign to register voters and sign up volunteers. As people entered the area of the art fair, I would ask if they were registered to vote and if they would be interested in signing up to volunteer on Obama's campaign.

I was amazed at how many people -- not first-time voter-aged people -- weren't registered to vote. But what amazed me even more was the response I got when I asked those who weren't registered (other than some who weren't citizens) if they would like to fill out a form to register. Other than one guy who took a form from me to fill out later, not one single person wanted to register to vote.

I can almost guarantee that these unregistered people are probably those who complain the most. I just wanted to scream at them and tell them they have no right to complain if they're not even willing to educate themselves on the issues and the candidates and make the effort to cast their vote.

One woman who signed up to volunteer told me she had lived in Brazil for a while and that Brazilians have to vote where they're born, so some people have to travel 8 hours to vote -- and they do it! I'm so sick of people who can't be bothered. Who don't realize how important voting is and that it really can make a difference -- when everyone does it!

On the bright side, I did sign up six volunteers for the campaign and a lot of people said they had no time to volunteer, but they do support Obama and will be voting for him. Of course, on the other side of that equation, there were an awful lot of people who were pretty negative about him. We really do have our work cut out for us.

[annabanana]

1. Some people view politics as something one "does"... like needlework,

or decoupage. "I don't do politics."

It's not my hobby. Now stop bothering me with boring stuff...

I know, I know... I don't understand it either.

[SharonRB]

2. I never used to "do politics" either

But I've certainly always voted. It's not only a right and a privilege -- it's a responsibility, as far as I'm concerned.

[AndyTiedye]

13. Politics Does Us

[elocs]

3. That people don't vote--this is news?

Hell, in a good presidential election year we are lucky to get what, maybe a 60% turnout? So 40% cannot be bothered to vote. Yeah, the sad thing is that is not news.

[SharonRB]

4. Well, I know it's not news

but hearing first-hand that so many people aren't even interested in registering was really depressing. It would never occur to me not to register.

[1620rock]

5. A lot have people figure the elections are fake, and think why bother.

[tech3149]

9. That is a result of decades of manipulation and uncorrected corruption

I had no faith in the political system since I was a kid, and that's quite a while ago, because of witnessing back room deals in local politics. Then there was that presidential assassination thing, then Nixon, then Reagan. I knew we couldn't elect good representatives unless we had good information, and we didn't have a channel for that way back then, like it's much better now. The internet and access to worldwide reporting and viewpoints has changed that, but it's useless unless you have the time and interest to search it out.

I was one of those. I didn't register to vote until 2003 when I figured out that I had to try and stop the shameless corruption of elected officials and the uninformed, emotional vote of those around me. I don't know if what I do will make a difference in my lifetime, but I have no choice. Once your eyes are opened, it's hard to return to that blissful sleep.

Everyone has their own breaking point, mine was an illegal and unjustified war. For some it may take feeling the pain in their personal life by decisions, with consent or not, of their government.

[DebJ]

6. As a teaching student, I'm not surprised. I have been shocked

to see how social studies teachers were 'teaching' history in my observations. Not teaching was more like it. We need more liberal teachers at the high school level . . . that is why I signed up to be a teacher. . . if God wills it, by next fall.

[elocs]

16. However many new voters register, I am betting more are inspired to do so by Obama

than by McCain.

[AllentownJake]

7. Doesn't bother me

I'm all for registering new voters particularly new democrats :evilgrin: however I'd rather people who don't care not vote. I'd much rather have people who give a shit be voting than everyone just do it for the hell of it.

Also in alot of states till a few years ago voter registration rolls were used to select jurors. Alot of people don't register because they think they are avoiding another civic duty.

[zulchzulu]

8. Groovy work! As for people not voting, there is a good reason or two

I've met people who are now interested in voting that hadn't because they didn't want to get jury duty or had moved and forgot to know what to do to change their status.

As for people not voting because they don't care, that's fine with me.

As for your experience with that person from Brazil, I have also met people who knew of loved ones who died in Argentina and other spots because they wanted to vote or were trying to educate others on what was going on in their dictatorships. It's hard keeping a dry eye when you talk to people like that...

[Colobo]

10. I admire my country. In Puerto Rico, around 85% of the voters show up every 4 years

voluntarily.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. I imagine at least some of them feel powerless and that their vote won't make a difference

[rasputin1952]

12. I actually did a term paper on that once...it was a tough one...

I went through so many statistics and reports I thought my eye's were going to burst.

What it boiled down to was:

A. Most people are registered, (they don't care to be bothered about it).

B. Most people don't vote because they are lazy

C. Some won't vote because they have a notion there is no impact they can make

D. Some people just really don't care

Odd part is, of the 40+ % that do vote don't squawk that much, the 50% that don't vote do the squawking!

[SharonRB]

18. Exactly!

I mentioned this in my OP -- I'm sure the people not voting are the ones complaining the most. And yet they don't think, "Hmmmm, maybe I could try to change things if I got involved."

[readmoreoften]

14. I know at least 50 people who don't vote because the candidates are too far to the right

And yet we keep moving to the center. Back in the early 90s a good friend of mine had a pin that said "if we were meant to vote, we'd have real candidates."

It gets harder for me every go around. This will be my last election as a Democrat. I'll vote for Obama to depose the Republicans, but the party no longer represents my interests or beliefs and I have no faith in it other than in Kucinich and Feingold.

[blindpig]

15. Mebbe they are smarter than the voters.

Mebbe they don't think it makes a difference which team of the money party wins.

[JoFerret]

17. It is amazing

long history to it I am sure.
Some countries make voting required.
I have always wondered what the results would be if everyone actually had to make a choice.