When you go to vote

[lovesfortune]

A thought just occurred to me after seeing Ad after Ad on TV for politicians.

Do you get excited for JUST the presidential election?
or
Are you involved with every level you are able to vote for from local to state, etc?

I am guilty of not paying much attention to anything other than the presidential. I KNOW that change starts at the state level and that's what a lot of people say is were your vote is most important.

Thoughts?

[WashingtonBay]

It depends what's happening locally. A few years ago the big local issue was a new toll bridge I was against (we lost). Sometimes there are interesting voter initiatives.

Last governor's race here ended in a big scandal full of voter fraud... the Republican candidate very nearly won, but the Democrats in King County (that's where Seattle is) kept "finding" boxes of uncounted votes, in closets, behind furniture, in the trunks of their cars, you name it. Nine times they recounted and found more votes and they finally won. It was challenged but what was done was done.

The same challenger is running again and we're watching closely. I hope everyone up in King County is on their toes.

[alittleoffkey]

Like WB said, it depends. We're really against the guy who's sherriff right now, but the county coroner used to be the hottest, most-anticipated thing in our town. One of the guys retired, so it's not a contest anymore, but for many years it was a BIG deal in our small town. :D

We vote against SPLOST because the county likes to do things like build dams that break within a year that no one wanted... then fix them, then fix them again... then build courthouses that we don't need and astro turf the county highschool's OUTDOOR football stadium so when it rains everyone can hurt themselves. *rolls eyes*

[magayle]

i got very involved locally when they tried to let a slaughter house move in...'we' finally stopped it and it was my first glimse of how corrupt government is...from the bottom all the way to the top! i also spent years researching all the animal control issues and trying to push for more enforcement of laws clearly being ignored...same thing....bottom line is 'we' don't have much control over anything unless your part of the 'good ol' boys club'....after bush got in the first time i quit voteing...the second time convinced me 'we' have no say in anything...this time i'll probably put my worthless vote in but still don't have a clue who it will be for...hope this forum that has interests similiar to mine will give me some renewed faith in our government..i'll just wait and watch :popcorn:

[Tatesgram]

I think a lot more people will pay attention after this bailout they just voted for. But you are correct, you have to pay attention to the little ones.

We have a couple going at each other right now. They have convinced me...I'm not voting for either one of them!!!

[outriding01]

This will be my first time ever voting. I didn't register until this past year, and I honestly was never too interested in politics but something changed and now it's a huge issue for me. Seeing as my new goal in life is to become Ag Commissioner for FL and possibly one day US Secretary of Ag, this could be a good reason... ;)

[grandmadeb]

I vote in the town official elections, the school board elections, the school budget, as well as state and national elections. I am a registered Independent and live in a Republican stronghold in Orange County, NY. I have never just voted any party line but for indiviuals I think will do the best job.