Voter apathy hits ATS!!!

In the past few days, we've set up a system to allow ATS members to engage in a mock U.S. Presidential vote among the top-5 candidates. The initial thread is here: www.abovetopsecret.com... And the special computerized voting terminal is here: www.abovetopsecret.com... Since the form was posted to ATS, on October 13th, 840 members have participated in our digital polling. But in that time, 2,219 members have visited the ATS community! wOt! Yes it's true. The dreaded vote apathy has even struck hard at the core of those who profess to deny ignorance. Only 38% of all members who have visiting these past days, and have received at least two reminder messages have bothered to voice their opinion this way. Please don't tell me we're just like the mind-numbed general public!

I'd vote, but I'm an Australian and simply don't know enough about American politics to make an informed decision.

Should I still vote from the impressions I have?

C'mon people! Lets VOTE! I voted the day it came out. Make your voice heard and lets find out where the majority really stands. Maybe , if we find out what the majority wants, we can stop haveing all the whiny my candidate is better than yours posts. Please vote, and see where we stand, cause the bickering here is makeing me sick.

Hey, dont look at me. i voted as soon as i saw the banner!

because, as far as i am concerned, this "mock election" might be the last one i vote in that isnt rigged or that my vote might actually be counted in!

Originally posted by StationsCreation I'd vote, but I'm an Australian and simply don't know enough about American politics to make an informed decision. Should I still vote from the impressions I have?

Yes... because, you likely know more than the typical U.S. citizen (sad but true).

Could be that there are alot of teens that visit the board or alot of non U.S. members or those that just don't care.


If you think about it thats not such a bad percentage.

Sorry double post connection was hanging.

[edit on 18-10-2004 by evecasino]

I guess it reflects the real life. Usualy only around 30-40% of the people eligible to vote, actually vote on elections in any given country.
We thought we are different here, I guess not.
Though I do think that all regulars (those who post every day) including all non-US members have voted. The rest are probably people who only visit occasionaly and not care that much about politics.

Oh btw, what are the early results? Who's winning?

yeah, id have to agree with paperclip. Too bad we have the same disease on this board, one would think the very nature of ATS would actually inspire higher numbers of voting.

But, it goes to show, ATS represnts quite well the make up of the populations of various nations.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

Originally posted by StationsCreation
I'd vote, but I'm an Australian and simply don't know enough about American politics to make an informed decision.

Should I still vote from the impressions I have?

Yes... because, you likely know more than the typical U.S. citizen (sad but true).

well............ I'm Australian and I voted and I hate to say that after several hour long discussions with some US friends of mine ............ SkepticOverlord is right on that count. Still finding it hard to believe I knew more about the platforms of the US election than they did........

Well, if it wasn't so hard to vote I'd be in...I mean, first you have to click on the link. Then you have to decide wich candidate to cote for. Then you have to click the "Vote" button. Geez! It's just too much work

***

...in a mock US Presidential election....??


WELL...how come I couldn't....sneak in to VOTE more than once then....Hurrumph !! (clearing my throat)

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

Yes... because, you likely know more than the typical U.S. citizen (sad but true).

Well, both candidates (of the 2 who actually have a chance to win) continually tell us how bad things are going to be if thier opponent is elected. They keep dodging key issues, and use double talk to confuse the American public. Its almost like niether of them really want America to know whats going on at thier home camp, while being informative of the others misdeeds.

The fact is, alot of Americans dont have the luxury of bieng able to find out any real info on the candidates. Some people have the net and dont understand its capabilities, while others are just to lazy to look. The majority of Americans do want to be informed about thier canidate and ask honest questions, but are mostly met with answers that are anti whoever your voting for. Its happening on this site right now.

Originally posted by St Udio
***

...in a mock US Presidential election....??


WELL...how come I couldn't....sneak in to VOTE more than once then....Hurrumph !! (clearing my throat)

I was being sarcastic.

I don't think it's really anything worth getting upset over - some people have their reasons and some do not, but if two or three mass U2Us and heavy saturation on the website isn't going to help then nothing will..

Reality sucks...

[edit on 10/18/2004 by EnronOutrunHomerun]

Theoretically this should favor the George Bush as low voter turnout has always been considered a Republican advantage, it will be interesting to see if that holds true.

The ATS apathy is rather troublesome... Almost to the point of embarrassment, all that heated discussion and a mere 38% of members taking the time to vote (guess there wasn't anything important to gain, like ATS points :shk: ). Guess we see the "fire in the belly" of the �bloviators� does not extend to the exercise of choice.

RANT, now is your big chance to get in some "disenfranchisement" before the "big day".

Hanging Chad Monkeys, not just for punch cards anymore...

You can always bribe people to vote with a points reward.

Originally posted by Questor
You can always bribe people to vote with a points reward.

Shouldnt need to. People should care enough to "just do it". This is a mock vote, I dont see what the fear is.

[size=10]LAST [size=10]CHANCE [size=10]TO VOTE Due to low voter turn out the ATS election will be terminated at 6:00 PM EST this evening. Everyone who wants to vote has seemingly voted... and the results will be posted later today. Last chance: www.abovetopsecret.com...

Maybe the results are an indication of the mood of the world and more to the point,
the American voter. *The devil we know, or the devil we don't know?*
Btw, i voted.

Sanc'.