Do I have to vote?

[Kendy]

I really don’t think there are any good options in this election. Am I morally obligated to vote? What if I spent the day in prayer instead?

Kendy

 

[Ferdinand_Mary]

NOTICE: As a reminder, Catholic Answers Forum has a new policy that bans all discussions of political candidates. This ban includes posts that name a candidate, allude to a particular candidate, use euphemisms for a candidate, or refer to surrogates for a particular candidate.

For more information see Banned Topics and the discussion at:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthrea…ight=candidate

With that, please let the discussion continue!

Mane Nobiscum Domine,
Ferdinand Mary

 

[RobHom]

I know of nothing that requires you to vote. It is a civil right to do so, not a religious requirement. That you are willing to spend the day in prayer…hopefully for our country and the world is commendable.

On a lighter note, maybe casting a dissenting vote for “Mickey Mouse” might send a more appropriate message. I have often thought that if enough people did this…a strong message might be heard.

 

[mapleoak]

I really don’t think there are any good options in this election. Am I morally obligated to vote? What if I spent the day in prayer instead?

Kendy

No, you are not required to vote, if all eligible candidates are at odds with morality. A good example is when all candidates support abortion in any way.

 

[b_justb]

I really don’t think there are any good options in this election. Am I morally obligated to vote? What if I spent the day in prayer instead?

Kendy

You might want to check the voting rules in your state. I remember a CAF member said that his state allowed a person to cast a ballot with no candidate selected with a write in area to give a reason. I thought that was a pretty good thing to use if it is available and you find yourself in a situation like you might be facing.

 

[pprimeau1976]

I don’t think it’s your moral obligation, but I agree with many on this forum that writing in a name is okay. There are many offices that do have worthy candidates that you can support. What I normally do is look for the endorsements by groups I trust, like Right to Life of Michigan. This saves me from doing alot of dirty work. If there is a position in which no one is endorsed, I simply don’t vote for anyone.

I think it would be a big mistake not to vote at all.

 

[Exsilium]

I know of nothing that requires you to vote. It is a civil right to do so, not a religious requirement. That you are willing to spend the day in prayer…hopefully for our country and the world is commendable.

On a lighter note, maybe casting a dissenting vote for “Mickey Mouse” might send a more appropriate message. I have often thought that if enough people did this…a strong message might be heard.

Haha yeah the mickey mouse thing would be great. One day all of us should put a ballot in for the pope.

 

[Steve40]

I always go to vote because it keeps you registered but in NY our two parties are ugly and uglier. When I don’t want to vote for any of the candidates I abstain in that position.

I refuse to vote for any baby killer no matter how ugly the opponent is.

 

[Exsilium]

Voting for any of the main parties is rather useless. Generally both of the headliners only look good because they spend millions on pr campaigns. Vote for the little man who knows his stuff. The man who wins the polls but never shows up on tv.

 

[Verisimilitude]

Only if you want to legitimately complain/debate/discuss politics with those who do vote.

There are always other ballot initiatives to vote on if you choose not to write in your own name…or Mickey Mouse… rather than not voting for any of the more popular choices.

And yes, to a large degree I think it is a moral obligation for those who have the freedom to exercise it. Many people have fought and died to give us and many others the privilege to help guide our own destiny. Nothing is perfect- except maybe the term limit law that ensures a peacefull and continuious change of government- assuming you are in the US.

The US might see it’s first black man or a woman President in 2009, or if more people are like you- the first mouse.

{Mickey wouldn’t be the first actor to be President though. Then of course the new Disney Party will be challenged by the new WB (Warner Brothers) Party and run Buggs against Mickey. Mickey might be older and have more experience…being a sorcerer’s apprentice and all, but Buggs has that lucky foot of his. The WB Cabinet would have more depth too, imo. If nothing else it will broaden the choices considerably especially if Marvel Comics and Archie join the fun.}

Please vote if you are legal to do so.

 

[mlchance]

It seems sensible to point out that, more than a year away from Election Day, there aren’t yet any candidates to vote for. No one has been nominated. No one can be said to be a lock-in for nomination.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[Proletarian]

I really don’t think there are any good options in this election. Am I morally obligated to vote? What if I spent the day in prayer instead?

Kendy

Here in Australia it is mandatory for all citizens to vote; and personally I believe it is the civic duty of every citizen in a democratic country to participate in the political process.

I think it is unreasonable to say that there are no “good options”; if there are no parties in the US that support Catholic morality then I’m sure there are many independent candidates that do, its just a matter of doing your research.

 

[melensdad]

It seems sensible to point out that, more than a year away from Election Day, there aren’t yet any candidates to vote for. No one has been nominated. No one can be said to be a lock-in for nomination.

– Mark L. Chance.

Totally agreed on this point. In fact, now is your time to be heard by the candidates. This is the time when they are writing their platforms and looking for support. The field is still wide open and neither major party has put forth a candidate. Further, there are alternate parties that you can cast a vote for if none of the majors strike your fancy. Also, there will no doubt be state and local elections that will have suitable candidates for which you should be willing to vote.

But NOT voting is simply giving up and letting the pro-abortionists win.

 

[KarenNC]

Here in Australia it is mandatory for all citizens to vote

Interesting, didn’t know that. How is this enforced?

 

[Proletarian]

Interesting, didn’t know that. How is this enforced?

During elections all citizens must report to a polling centre and have their names recorded before placing a vote. Failure to vote (or rather, to have ones name recorded) will incur a fine. Unfortunately the fines are relatively minor ($100 I believe); because of this a small minority routinely refuse to vote and simply accept the fine. However offences are recorded and can be requested by employers; refusal to perform a civic duty does not look good on a resume

 

[Proletarian]

During elections one must report to a polling centre and have their name recorded before placing a vote. Failure to vote (or rather, to have ones name recorded) will incur a fine.Unfortunately the fines are relatively minor ($100 I believe); because of this a small minority routinely refuse to vote and simply accept the fine. However offences are recorded and can be requested by employers; refusal to perform a civic duty does not look good on a resume

 

[valient_Lucy]

During elections all citizens must report to a polling centre and have their names recorded before placing a vote. Failure to vote (or rather, to have ones name recorded) will incur a fine. Unfortunately the fines are relatively minor ($100 I believe); because of this a small minority routinely refuse to vote and simply accept the fine. However offences are recorded and can be requested by employers; refusal to perform a civic duty does not look good on a resume

Wow. I don’t like that at all. Big Brother is watching you.

 

[Proletarian]

Wow. I don’t like that at all. Big Brother is watching you.

I can see how those unfamiliar with our system would say that. Personally I don’t see a privacy issue. The most the government can know is that at a certain time you were at a particular polling station…thats it They don’t know how you voted, they don’t even know if you voted at all.

Just as it is the obligation (rather, the privilege) of all eligible citizens to defend the state during a time of war it is also the obligation of all citizens to defend the country during peace time; and the most effective way to do this is through the democratic process.

 

[Leopard]

…On a lighter note, maybe casting a dissenting vote for “Mickey Mouse” might send a more appropriate message. I have often thought that if enough people did this…a strong message might be heard.

More probably no message would be heard at all. In my state, every person who want to run for office as a write-in candidate must have his name and the office he is seeking registered in every County Clerk’s office whose jurisdiction includes districts that will be voting for that office. Write-in votes are inspected by the election judges after the polling place is closed and checked against the list of registered write-in candidates and the offices for which they are running supplied by the County Clerk.

Any write-in ballot that does not have the name of a registered write-in candidate written in for the appropriate office is treated as a spoiled ballot for that office and is not recorded by the election judges. If there are no persons registered with the County Ckerk as write-in candidates (as is the case more often than not) then the election judges do not check for write-in votes at all.

Rather than trying to waste election officials’ time and taxpayers’ money in a futile effort to send a message that at most may be seen only by a few election judges, might it not be a better use of your vote to investigate all the unacceptable candidates and see if there are any especially distinguished undesirables you would like to vote against?

 

[Firefox]

My memory says that “failure to vote” is a sin, according to the 1992 Catechism. I would think that means you are to vote when there is a candidate that can morally be voted for. (I believe, though, that you can write-in?)

Does anyone have a reputable source?