I haven’t voted in years after reading the argument that voting mainly serves to slot you into a cohort, making it easier for governments and corporations to profile you. Recently I heard someone argue the opposite angle: don’t vote because none of the politicians deserve you. A comedian mocked that stance as basically holding your breath when you are angry.
Now I’m conflicted because both arguments feel compelling in different ways. What are your strongest arguments for voting, or against voting?
In my state your polling placed does not record your party although if you vote in primaries they will ask which ballot you want. As for my opinion its simply this. For most of history the average person has gotten no say in who was in charge and how they governed. There are examples but they tend to be pretty small. Something on the scale of most modern countries. Not even close. Voting may not give you a massive say in what goes on but it does give you some. Its incredibly precious and even further the right to protest if you voice is being ignored or circumvented is an even greater thing. I like living in peace. I don’t want to have to contest violently to have a say. My country is already getting a taste of what not having rights is like and losing the right to vote (or the vote becoming a truly on party pointless excersise) is not an experience I am looking to have.