Hey Sitcom Advice Crew. I’ve always voted, but I’m starting to see the point less and less. I might not vote this year. What do you think? Should I vote?
—America’s Got No Talent
Jay: I’m with you. It can be tough to vote sometimes. It’s hard to see what difference it will make. At the same time, I have many problems with how things run in my own neighborhood. That’s what gets me to vote every time. There will be a ballot measure to build some bridge we don’t need. They’ll add a bus lane that will make my commute worse during the construction years, and by getting stuck behind the future buses every day after that. This year, someone’s running for city council who has a scary amount of lawn decorations in their front yard., I’m afraid of what that might mean if they get more power. Look at the local stuff—something will be worth your vote.
Eliza: I’m of the opinion that if you don’t vote, you can’t complain. I want to complain. I want to curse the people who voted wrong and made my life worse. I vote for a third party so that I can complain about whoever wins. I make my friends mad by saying, “I didn’t vote for them. Couldn’t you see this coming?” If something or someone is guaranteed to win, I always vote against them, so that I can point out the flaws later. I vote for spite.
Gene: You may not want to vote, but I’m sure there’s something you do want. I sell my votes. I don’t sell them for money because I think that’s illegal. I do talk to my friends and say, “Who do you want me to vote for?” When they tell me, I offer to trade that vote for lunch or tickets to a baseball game. I love a really long ballot because I shop each measure and race to get the most from my votes. In a Presidential Election year, I can go a month without having to buy myself a meal. Start making your vote work for you.
Kenny: I don’t vote. That’s part of being an American. You don’t have to vote. Of course, I lived in a country where I could not vote. I’m not sure what the difference between living in the two countries is if you don’t vote. Actually, I do know the difference. I danced a lot more when I lived in the other country.
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