NOT PLANNING ON VOTING THIS NOVEMBER - WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE?

- I do not approve of any of the candidates as leaders of our country.
- I’m not eligible.
- It’s inconvenient / I just don’t have the time.
- I just don’t think one vote can make a difference.
- The popular vote doesn’t matter.
- I really don’t know about the issues.
- I’m not registered.
- I’m turning 18 between the registration deadline and Election Day.
- I don’t want to register because I don’t want to be called for jury duty.
- The 2000 election destroyed my faith in the system.

(Click on one of the excuses above. Your excuse not on the list? Tell us your excuse and we'll address it ASAP.)

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- I do not approve of any of the candidates as leaders of our country.
Choosing not to vote does not put out the message that the candidates are not good enough. Your right to vote is a right to voice your opinion; choosing not to exercise this right is a renunciation of it and your opinion. Voting against all of the nominated candidates is the way to voice your opinion against them. if you don't like them, tell them so; vote for yourself and make your opinion known.

- I'm not eligible.
Age, country of origin, and a whole host of other factors can make you ineligible to vote this November; but, just because you are not eligible to vote does NOT mean that you cannot encourage others to exercise their right to vote. Getting invovled in the political process by helping others do the same is a good way to start yourself on the path to one day voting yourself!

- It's inconvenient / I just don't have the time.
Many workplaces will give their employed eligible voters a little bit of slack on Election Day so that they can fit in the half-hour to get to the polls and back; ask your boss about it. The same goes for students. For what it's worth, it does not take a lot of time to vote. But if that doesn't work for you, apply for an absentee ballot. Click here for more info on receiving an absentee ballot and click here for info on your home state's deadlines for registering, submitting an absentee ballot, and for voting in person.

- I just don't think one vote can make a difference.
Let's be honest; the presidential election probably won't come down to one vote. However, local elections could turn just from just a few simple votes. There are many local and state elections for offices and bills going on this year. Click here for more information about elections in your area.
That being said, voting is not necessarily about winning. Voting is about being heard. Only 64% of U.S. citizens over the age of 18 voted in the 2004 presidential election (US Census Bureau). This means that not even all registered voters -72% according to US Census Bureau- came out to the polls in 2004. Yet more than 64% of those polled, both voters and voluntary non-voters, do not approve of President Bush, according to polls conducted by several major news networks and publications -both left and right leaning- over the past year. Here's the real point: if you choose not to vote, you choose not to voice your opinion in the one arena where it truly matters; the polls! You are, in essence, stripping yourself of your right to complain about the elected administration two, three, or four years down the line. You can make a difference now; take the time to do so.

- The popular vote doesn't matter.
That is a myth; the popular vote does matter. Electors are voted on by the public in election years such as this and they are pledged to vote according to the popular vote. Yes, sometimes, due to the distribution of electoral votes, the two figures, popular and actual, do not match up. However, voting is not a way of "substantiating the system" as some like to think. Some states, such as Maine and Nebraska, are slowly beginning to split up their electoral votes by Congressional District, closing the gap between the popular and electoral figures. Also, keep in mind that no state is completely "blue" or completely "red." There is always an overlap of opinions and nothing is concrete. With changing methods of distributing electoral votes, there is always room for states to turn "purple."

- I really don't know about the issues.
Head over to our links page to find resources to educate yourself on the issues and on the candidates. Also, remember to keep up on current events but spread yourself out a bit; read various publications and try to form a large foundation of news sources so that you can receive the most objective information possible and form your own opinion based on what you're hearing. In an age of technology, it is so easy to get informed, but remember that 99% of the media is biased in one way or another; it is up to you to sift through it all and to discover the facts!

- I'm not registered.
It isn't too late to register! Some states even allow registration at the polls. Click here to find out the deadlines for your state.

- I'm turning 18 between the registration deadline and Election Day.
Most states will allow you to register if you prove that you'll be 18 years of age by November 4th. Click here to find out the policy in your state.

- I don't want to register because I don't want to be called for jury duty.
We won't lie to you; most people do not want to be called to jury duty - it can be a big pain and inconvenience. That said, if you don't have a reason to get out of it before showing up (you have children to take care of, you're pregnant, etc.) it usually does not take more than a day or two out of your life. If you really hate jury duty that much, let's be honest, you can probably weasel your way into making yourself completely undesirable by those picking the jurors. Who knows, you may even come to realize that jury duty isn't that bad after all... maybe. The bottom line is, some people jump at the chance to serve their country through jury duty, but we're not going to knock you if you're not one of them; however, it is a small price to pay to make your voice heard through voting.

- The 2000 election destroyed my faith in the system.
The system is not perfect, but voting is not a way of substantiating it. Blaming the system is a really great excuse, but it is just that... an excuse. Millions had their voices heard in 2000 because of the system; the system itself left the door open for opposition to the ultimate decision. We cannot say it enough: voting is the way of letting the government know your individual opinion. If you don't vote, you cannot then complain about what has occured because of the system or of the way the vote turned out. Choosing not to vote is a way of choosing to renounce your own opinon. If you choose not to vote, you are renouncing your right to either rejoice or revile both the outcome and the system that you are so quick to condemn.

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