POLL American Based Mustachians: Did You Vote?

[Future Lazy]

Tis the season! Not quite Election Day yet, but I wanted to get this question I had up over the weekend. Beyond that, many people are able to vote early or vote via the mail.

Voting is a pretty important right to me - even though I know a lot of pockets are lined, I feel like it's important to make my voice heard in as many ways as possible. Some day, I will vote with my dollars, but for now, I must vote with my rights. Most of my generation doesn't vote - historically, only 21% of us show up - even though we now make up the majority of the voting pie (so to speak). That breaks my heart just a little bit every time I remember.

So, I'm curious to see what the general community's feelings are:
How important is voting to this community?
How often do Mustachians vote, and how to they feel about it?

Some follow up poll questions, for anyone willing to answer them:

For the voters:
What inspires you to vote?
What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc)
Are you at all active in your local political community?
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?

For the non-voters:
Why did you choose not to vote? Or: Why were you unable to vote?
Would you have voted if something on the ballot caught your attention?
Do you make your political voice heard in another way?
Do you consider not voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?

Please Remember: This is a politically themed thread, but it is not the ideal place for politically based heated discussion or debate. Remember to respect other's positions and boundaries, even if they don't see things from your angle (or vice versa). If you feel the need to call someone out or attack someone for their stance, please take a deep breath and excuse yourself to Private Message - or better yet, take a nice quiet walk around the block. I'm sure it's gorgeous outside.
TL;DR - NO ARGUMENTS

Thanks!

[Future Lazy]

In response to my own questions:


What inspires you to vote? More of my generation needs to vote, and I prefer to lead by example. Thinking about politics and voting means I discuss it with my friends, and then they think about it. Maybe it inspires them to vote as well.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? Reluctantly democratic. I'm interested in third parties, but I'm afraid of wasting my vote.
Are you at all active in your local political community? No.
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? A personhood amendment, and a GMO amendment.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? Yes - awareness and involvement are keys to personal and interpersonal awareness, and social responsibility.

[Prepube]

What inspires you to vote? I see it as the responsibility of citizens living within a democracy to vote, and no matter the outcome I'm proud to take part in the process.  I love voting.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? unimportant, really, but I tend to lean democrat on most issues.  I seem to be voting *against* something most of the time (e.g., Cory Gardner) rather than for something.  I feel it's important to remember the big picture and try to take a long view of things.
Are you at all active in your local political community? Not recently.
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? A personhood amendment, and a GMO amendment.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? No.  It is a behavior that transcends mustachians and even the parties themselves.  It's a little bit religious or orgasmic or something for me to exercise my right to express my opinion with a vote.  The OP said that more of her generation needs to vote, and I agree with that: more of *all* generations need to vote.

[surfhb]

With all the district re-routing, electronic voting and the legal ability of a single corporation to give an unlimited dollar amount to any candidate.....I'm seriously rethinking the notion that voting matters anymore.

[Cassie]

I have always voted-mainly democrat but do vote for republicans when I think they are the best choice.  I believe that if you don't bother to vote then don't bother to bitch about politics.

[dividendman]

I feel it's my duty to discourage voting for selfish reasons - if fewer people vote my vote counts more :D

[TheDude]

I tend to read a lot about politics and am pretty opinionated. In my old age (30s) Ive decided that I shall fill out my ballot and not really worry about the rest. I have a little effect on overall result but lots of influence on my ballot. After all worry about what you can change and forget about the shit you can't.

It would be interesting to see how this board leans. I bet its a pretty good mix of liberal and libertarian on here. That's for sure where I lean I am fiscally conservative and social liberal. I tend to vote democratic lately because the GOP has gone bat shit crazy imho.

[Future Lazy]

... I bet its a pretty good mix of liberal and libertarian on here...

That's actually one of my intense curiosities. I'm tempted to vote Libertarian whenever I can, but often times I can't get behind the idea of removing all funding from programs like healthcare or schooling. I think if more of my generation turned out to vote, we'd be able to easily push a third party.

[KittyFooFoo]

I don't vote because it is irrational.  http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/110/2/9/haters_gif__click_for_gif__by_toge12-d62cvxo.gif

[Beaker]

What inspires you to vote? I believe it is our civic duty. But I also believe it's our civic duty to be well-informed about the choices - far too many people these days take care of the former but not the latter.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? I've been all over the map: red, blue, libertarian, I've voted for them all. Wife is registered republican. This time around we both reluctantly voted Democrat.
Are you at all active in your local political community? No.
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? Nah, I always vote.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? I don't see them as related issues.

I know a lot of people don't vote because their vote "doesn't matter" in the sense that it won't be the deciding vote. But remember that the magnitude of the win matters too. When a measure passes or a politician is elected by a landslide, people remember that. When the margin is two votes, they remember that too. It doesn't matter as much as the outcome, but it does matter, and therefore your votes do matter even if you voted for a side that was going to win or lose anyway.

[forestbound]

What inspires you to vote? It is a right and a duty. I don't serve in the military, but surely I can vote. And when I see Afghanistan citizens going out to vote under threat of death by the Taliban, come on people, if they can do it surely we can too.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc) I hang my head and say, "I have been Republican." Now I am pretty firmly Democrat.
Are you at all active in your local political community? No.
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? Specific issue that was voted on, no.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? Everyone that votes, votes under the belief that the people they are voting for can do a good job, or a better job than their opponent of leading their local, state and national economy in a better direction. So we are voting for a better future. Isn't that what all Mustachians are doing, working for a better future? I am.

Here is an interesting chart of the voter turnout in the U.S. It seems to show the new normal is in the 50 percentile. Sad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout_in_the_United_States_presidential_elections

[nawhite]

What inspires you to vote? I firmly believe that as a citizen, we are all obligated to vote, or work towards improving the governance of our country/state/county/city etc in some other way we feel is appropriate. If you feel that your vote is unimportant then I want to know what you are doing personally to improve things or encourage government to be run the way you feel is better. The ambivalence of my generation is very disheartening.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? Usually Democratic but I've voted Libertarian and Green a couple times.
Are you at all active in your local political community? No
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? Mark Udall over Cory Gardner for Senate. Mark Udall is one of only 2 senators (Ron Wynerwho are combating the NSA's spying campaign. The GMO labeling (against) and renewing taxes for preschool programs (for) also were big issues for me this year.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? Totally unrelated.

[trailrated]

What inspires you to vote? I have worked on campaigns before, and it makes the process much more interesting to me. You see that you have the ability to influence things and that is neat.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc) Republican for the most part but there are certain issues I stray on (I am for gay marriage, etc.)
Are you at all active in your local political community? Yes
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? Not necessarily I would have regardless
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? Since I am riding my bike to the polls, yes haha

[jka468]

Why did you choose not to vote? Or: Why were you unable to vote?

The current two party system is hilariously ineffectual and interest groups are the real voters. Just look at the real donation numbers...interest groups play to both sides and politicians basically pander to the voter demographics, not the issues.

Would you have voted if something on the ballot caught your attention?

No.

Do you make your political voice heard in another way?

General discourse on an individual level.

Do you consider not voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?

No, I think the most mustachian thing to do would be to vote for the most fiscally liberal policies, but I am wholly against that.

... I bet its a pretty good mix of liberal and libertarian on here...

That's actually one of my intense curiosities. I'm tempted to vote Libertarian whenever I can, but often times I can't get behind the idea of removing all funding from programs like healthcare or schooling. I think if more of my generation turned out to vote, we'd be able to easily push a third party.

I would guess this site is very much liberal leaning, and that is due to the population bias of a site that focuses on money saving efforts in this particular manner. I would also guess that a large percentage of people on here are in the middle class/middle income area (30-70k), hence the need to find savings, and when these types of people vote they tend to vote more towards a fiscally liberal ideology. If someone in this group isn't going to be making much more money in the future, and their upward mobility is stagnant, then they tend to not care about higher taxes, more gov assistance and universal spending policies because the blow isn't felt by them.

[rubybeth]

I'll be voting tomorrow, as my polling place is also my employer (public library) so that's always convenient.

What inspires you to vote? I'm probably more concerned with local elections than most, since there's a family history of political involvement at the local level. I also work for a government entity that is directly affected by political decisions each year (public library).

What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc) You didn't list DFL (Democrat Farmer Labor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Democratic%E2%80%93Farmer%E2%80%93Labor_Party

Are you at all active in your local political community? No, but I voted in the primary and have written letters to my representatives on various issues.

Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? No, I always vote.

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? No, it's just a civic duty.

[ncornilsen]

What Inspires me:  Preventing the long, slow slide to an authoritarian government.
What party do I normally vote for: Republicans, though less and less in recent elections.
Major Ballot issue: Yes... I voted NO to creating a non-partisan election system after seeing how poorly it works elsewhere, NO to giving illegal aliens driver's cards, NO, to the GMO "labeling" measure (There is no credible scientfic evidence that GMO's are dangerous, and labeling them only lends credence to that notion. As populations grow, food production efficiency is going to become more and more important, and I don't want a major tool in achieving that to be falsely prejudiced.)   I also was very motivated to make sure Kitzhaber isn't reelected. His record of corruption (which has been erupting recently) is pretty bad, not to mention he has had plenty of time to move this states economy forward and has failed. Then there was the incident where he just decided to cave in to the impetulent children that are the longshoremen, which was both a big overstep of his authority and the wrong thing to do.)

[chicagomeg]

My husband and I are at opposite ends of the political spectrum, so we sat down, went through the ballot, agreed that we were going to cancel each other out on every vote, and saved 20 minutes of our lives.

[Gimesalot]

Why did you choose not to vote? There is no one on the ballot that represents my thoughts/view or is even remotely close
Would you have voted if something on the ballot caught your attention? Maybe, that hasn't happened in many, many years.
Do you make your political voice heard in another way? I was very active when I was in college.  Now, I just discuss with like-minded people
Do you consider not voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? I think they are unrelated

[NoraLenderbee]

What inspires you to vote?  --It is my right and my duty to participate in the democratic process. I remember going with my mother to vote when I was a small child. She was very civic-minded and impressed on me the importance of voting. Plus, as Cassie said, if you don't vote, don't b*tch!

What party do you normally vote with, if any? --Usually Democratic, but I've voted for Green candidates a few times. I also voted for Republicans sometimes, back in the day when things were less polarized and the R party wasn't so dominated by the Guns-Gays-Abortion-"Christian Nation" dogma.

Are you at all active in your local political community? --No.

Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?  --Not this time.

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?  --It's not related.

[Philociraptor]

What inspires you to vote? civic duty, can't complain if I don't vote

What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc) - Went Repub for 2008 presidential, libertarian for 2012 presidential, and democrat for 2014 midterms.  Took one of those iSideWith surveys and apparently I'm Green now? That's cool, dems > repubs for me in my area

Are you at all active in your local political community? nope

Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? nope, mostly the governor vote

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? unrelated really

[Pigeon]

I haven't missed an election of any sort since I turned 18, decades ago.

What inspires you to vote? - I care about the state of the country and the world.  I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't vote.

What party do you normally vote with, if any? -I vote Democratic almost all the time.  I used to vote for the occasional Republican for local office, but I just can't do that now, given where the party has gone.  For the first time ever, I'll be voting for the Green party candidate for Governor of my state, because the Democratic candidate is more Republican than the Republican candidate.

Are you at all active in your local political community? - A little

Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? - No. 

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? - Somewhat, but it's more a worldview issue.  I don't believe that Republicans are any more fiscally conservative than Democrats, it's just a matter of priorities. Middle Eastern wars don't come cheap.

[sheepstache]

What inspires you to vote? I have a vague idea that if my demographic is well-represented at the polls, more attempts will be made to pander to my interests.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? I lean democrat but I'm registered republican. My hope is to encourage republicans to come a little more to the left :) Like a lot of people, I'm frustrated at the lack of a fiscally-conservative, socially-liberal line. I'm also happy to vote Green or Libertarian if I like a particular candidate or sometimes just because I know one of the dems or republicans is going to win in a landslide so I just want to encourage the third parties :) (I'd also be in favor of alternative voting to get away from the two-party system)
Are you at all active in your local political community? Nah. Many years ago a friend who works in local politics asked me to phonebank, but that's been it.
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? No. But I do like referendums.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? I suppose in taking the effort to do research and get to the polling station, it feels a little like badassity? I mean, when you think of badassity as being a fight against apathy and sloth and in terms of being in the top 5% 25% of the population that actually turns out.  And making best-efforts to effect political change feels like protection against complainy-pantsing. But it might be counter to mustachianism in terms of worrying about things not strictly inside your circle of control or not having a low information diet, though I've never embraced the latter at all.

[MoneyCat]

I vote, but I understand why other people don't bother.  The USA is owned by a few very rich people who set all national policy to meet their desires.  The majority of the citizens have their concerns completely ignored and the Supreme Court just overturns anything that stands in the rich people's way.  When you have no voice, you learn not to try speaking anymore.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[JENRETIRE]

What inspires you to vote? People died for the right to vote, pretty sure I can get off my a** and place my vote! I have a really hard time understanding the "my vote doesn't count" argument.  Also, I have four kids, I want them to understand how very important exercising our right to vote is, so I must practice what I preach.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? I'm registered as an independent, but will be voting republican this election.
Are you at all active in your local political community? Not really, besides letters, etc....
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? No, but like another poster I live in Iowa which is a hotly contested state (Ernst vs. Braley) and I want to make sure my voice is heard.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? No.

[PhysicsCat]

What inspires you to vote? Can't complain if I don't get out there. Also I like keeping the local government in check.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc) Republican/Libertarian. Had R/D/L running for gov. Voted R for Gov, wrote in L for Lt. Gov.
Are you at all active in your local political community? Somewhat, trying to get chickens legalized.
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? Keeping idiots out of the senate, amendments to prevent increases in state income taxes, voting against another SPLOST.

[nawhite]

I vote, but I understand why other people don't bother.  The USA is owned by a few very rich people who set all national policy to meet their desires.  The majority of the citizens have their concerns completely ignored and the Supreme Court just overturns anything that stands in the rich people's way.  When you have no voice, you learn not to try speaking anymore.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I know we are trying to keep this from becoming a political thread but the Supreme Court record goes both for and against rich people, we just only hear about the cases that go against the rich people (personally I think this is because it is in the interest of the rich people who own the news companies). In the past couple years there have been cases where the supreme court limited eminent domain for the benefit of normal people, they have forced companies to provide good healthcare for their employees, they have upheld gay rights (so companies need to offer spousal benefits where they didn't before), they have closed tax loopholes (granted this negatively affected mustachians as well), they have fought the monopolies of the NFL, Microsoft, and AT&T etc. So saying the Supreme court overturns anything that gets in rich people's way is a little disingenuous.

[Proud Foot]

What inspires you to vote? Similar to many of the replies above I believe it is my civic duty to vote. Part of the founding of our country was based upon not having a voice in the decisions being made which effected them (ie taxes) so I feel this is me making my voice heard. Something that is a personal pet peeve is when people complain about what is going on with the government but have never voted. I feel by voting I can voice my disapproval without being hypocritical.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc) I have typically voted Republican and am registered Republican. I do not vote strict party lines and consider myself to be a Libertarian but am Republican as the voting laws in my state are limiting if you are not a part of a "major" party. 
Are you at all active in your local political community? I have no desire to be involved in politics other than voting.
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? No, I have voted every election since I was 18.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? I think they are unrelated.

[OR]

Mustachian are early voters.  Makes sense!  Also makes me smile.

[Pooperman]

I did not vote this year. I moved a couple of times and forgot about it in the moving insanity. I am a socially liberal, financially conservative democrat. I'll vote next time I am able.

[Beric01]

Voted - absentee. I almost didn't this year and I've voted every election since turning 18 in 2008. Voting doesn't change anything - whatever party is in power.

[Loretta]

What inspires you to vote?  Civic duty!  And I enjoy the sticker.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc)   Democrat, all the way.
Are you at all active in your local political community?  No, because of the Hatch Act. 
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?  No.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?  Insomuch that Uncle Sam is my employer, and so voting on things that could effect my job down the line is somewhat mustachian. 

[m8547]

I did not vote this year. I moved a couple of times and forgot about it in the moving insanity. I am a socially liberal, financially conservative democrat. I'll vote next time I am able.

In Colorado you can register to vote on election day (though you have to be a resident of the state for 22 days before you qualify). In mid-term elections like this they mail a ballot to everyone, and you can mail it in, drop it off, or show up and vote in person (early or voting day). They also mail out a booklet that describes the ballot issues. There's really no excuse not to vote. I wasn't even planning on voting until a ballot showed up in the mail! (later I learned that this election actually matters, and there are state and local ballot measures that I care about, so I probably would have voted anyway) If you live in a state where it's harder to vote, you should push for them to change it!

[Bob W]

I assume you mean US citizens and not Americans as that refers to all citizens of all the countrys in the Americas.   

[Pooperman]

I did not vote this year. I moved a couple of times and forgot about it in the moving insanity. I am a socially liberal, financially conservative democrat. I'll vote next time I am able.

In Colorado you can register to vote on election day (though you have to be a resident of the state for 22 days before you qualify). In mid-term elections like this they mail a ballot to everyone, and you can mail it in, drop it off, or show up and vote in person (early or voting day). They also mail out a booklet that describes the ballot issues. There's really no excuse not to vote. I wasn't even planning on voting until a ballot showed up in the mail! (later I learned that this election actually matters, and there are state and local ballot measures that I care about, so I probably would have voted anyway) If you live in a state where it's harder to vote, you should push for them to change it!

Where I was registered to vote: a democrat won the seat and no ballot measures in the state (except for local/county affairs of which I am not a prt of any more). I would have voted for the winner. Where I moved to, I moved too late to register, though I would prefer to vote here (NJ) than where I was last (NY).

[MandalayVA]

What inspires you to vote? Like others have stated, a sense of civic duty. 

What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc)  Almost always Democrat, although I have voted independent a couple of times.  As I've gotten older I lean towards Republican fiscal ideas, but until the nutty Tea Party people stop controlling that party it won't get my vote.

Are you at all active in your local political community?  At one time I was very much so.  I've worked on some campaigns and issues, but over time it got boring so I stopped.  I met a lot of people, including Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, which was cool.

Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?  Not this year, I was mainly interested in the Senate race (which per the local paper is too close to call).

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?  It's unrelated.

[OzzieandHarriet]

For the voters:
What inspires you to vote?
I also feel it's my civic duty as well as a privilege, which many people don't seem to appreciate.

What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc)
Democratic.

Are you at all active in your local political community?
Not really. Other than donating money.

Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?
No. I always vote, no matter what.

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?
Yes! It's a small, easy act that costs nothing, has no negative consequences, and has many positive ones. It's part of living in a free and open society -- but sadly, many people in the U.S. don't seem to appreciate this at all. They also don't appreciate that the naysayers are often entities that have their own agendas that will benefit if fewer people vote -- i.e., they are being sold something, to their detriment.

[Schaefer Light]

What inspires you to vote?  Keeping the govt. as small as possible, and taxes as low as possible.

What party do you normally vote with, if any?  Republican, although I'm more of a Libertarian on a lot of issues.  I also agree with the Tea Party on most issues that concern me (which are really just fiscal issues).  Social issues are of no concern to me as long as they don't take any more money out of my wallet in the form of higher taxes.

Are you at all active in your local political community?  No, other than occasionally donating money or putting up a campaign sign.

Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?  No more so than usual.  I just wanted to do my part to prevent the Democrats from making the federal govt. any larger than it already is.

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?  Not really.

[smalllife]

For the voters:
What inspires you to vote?

It's the only free way to influence local politics (I throw my ring in for the national elections, but don't hold my breath on it meaning anything)

What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc)

Libertarian/Green if there's a decent candidate, Democrat if not.

Are you at all active in your local political community?  No
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?  There was a constitutional amendment I was hoping would fail, but I would have voted anyway.

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?  Not related.

[Thegoblinchief]

I vote in basically every election, but it's really hard to find candidates I like considering my views are a mish-mash that's hard to prioritize. It feels increasingly pointless given the direction of both major parties but I still do it.

[zinnie]

What inspires you to vote?
I've never even considered NOT voting--its just something that you do, haha.

What party do you normally vote with, if any?
Democrat

Are you at all active in your local political community?
Yes--I write my local people, mostly on bike, local business, and transit issues. I go to some community planning meetings. I mostly pay attention to neighborhood stuff. It is amazing to me how little influence it feels like I have on state and city stuff, but at the neighborhood level there is TONS of room for participation.

Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?
We didn't really have anything exciting this time; maybe that is why turnout was so low. But I always go.

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?
Neutral on this one. I think people should vote, but don't know how this relates to mustachianism.

I frequently only vote on the issues and people who I have had the time to fully research and feel confident in my choice. I figure it is better than randomly picking people based on names or political ads or voting the wrong way on a proposition. This time I left all of the school board people blank (because I don't pay attention to public school stuff), and two of the propositions where I didn't have time to feel confident in a choice.

[FarmerPete]

I voted.  What inspired me?  The fact that you would even ask that question tells me that this country is messed up.  Everyone should vote.  Period.

Truth be told, I worked as an election inspector yesterday.  My normal day job gives us election day off as a holiday every other year (even years).  I took the opportunity to make an extra +$160 by spending 16 hours more or less helping people vote.  I can give a lot of leeway for the elderly, but MAN there are a ton of dumb people in my city who have no excuse.  Thirty year olds who come in and vote for their first time ever.  People who can't listen to or read simple instructions.  So many people don't even know the right place to go to vote.  It's sad.  Figure it out people, it's not that hard.

[highcountry]

What inspires you to vote?

What party do you normally vote with, if any?
Democrat.  I am substantially left of the democrats, but they are often the best we've got.  On local issues where they are a viable choice, the candidates I chose tend to be Green.  I'll also often vote third party on national candidates, as I don't live in a swing state so it matters more as a statement then a vote.


Are you at all active in your local political community?
A bit, mostly by proxy.  I used to be very involved.


Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?
No.  There are major issues that I care about a lot, but I have been devoting less brain space to politics recently and most of the issues I cared about were in areas other than the one I am currently residing in (Senate).  Since I cannot influence those, I pretty much ignored it all.  For me, ignoring it all means I researched my judicial candidates on my cellphone in the post office as I filled out my absentee ballot.

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?
No.  They are unrelated.

[rugorak]

What inspires you to vote?
Civic duty, and I don't feel you have a right to complain unless you do your part.
What party do you normally vote with, if any?
Libertarian, although I am undeclared for any political party. Honestly I think the Libertarian party would do much better if they dropped the legalize everything as being key to their platform and brought prominence to their stance that if the things you want to do will not hurt others you should be free to do them. They also encourage responsibility for your own actions, etc. Personally I barely drink so the legalize everything has no appeal to me. But they seem to be
Are you at all active in your local political community?
No
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?
No, I always vote. I didn't like some things that ended up passing, but at least I voted no on them. NY had a ballot initiative about bonds for school kids to get computers, ipads, etc. But all this stuff is supposed to last 8 years and the basic plan was pretty crappy.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?
No, in my mind it is the duty of every eligible voter to vote. Every year since I was 18 I research all the candidates/questions and pick either what I think is the best answer/candidate or the lesser of 2 evils.

[Schaefer Light]

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?
No, in my mind it is the duty of every eligible voter to vote. Every year since I was 18 I research all the candidates/questions and pick either what I think is the best answer/candidate or the lesser of 2 evils.

Based on what I've witnessed, I really wish a lot of eligible voters would just stay home.  See post above by person who worked at a polling place yesterday.  I don't want the kinds of people he described involved in picking our leaders.

[FarmerPete]

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?
No, in my mind it is the duty of every eligible voter to vote. Every year since I was 18 I research all the candidates/questions and pick either what I think is the best answer/candidate or the lesser of 2 evils.

Based on what I've witnessed, I really wish a lot of eligible voters would just stay home.  See post above by person who worked at a polling place yesterday.  I don't want the kinds of people he described involved in picking our leaders.

My favorite person of the day was a woman who came through.  She came with another person.  I was checking peoples IDs.  Her friend was 35 and they looked identical aged.  I saw her license had a birth date that made her over 60.  I looked at the picture, looked at her...yep, same person.  ID was legit.  She was in our computer as being that person.  I smelled SS fraud, but it's not our place to do anything either way.  She had valid ID and had registered to vote.

[AccidentalMiser]

What inspires you to vote?
I consider it a civic duty to vote.  I educate myself on the issues and candidates and make my voice, however small, heard every election day.  I risked my life to protect and defend this nation, the least I can do now is vote.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc)
I vote for the most conservative candidate who I believe has a chance of winning, which usually means Republican.  Since we are trying to keep this politically charged thread as apolitical as possible, I'll refrain from defending my choice to do so here.
Are you at all active in your local political community?
Yes
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?
There were some ballot issues that I was interested in (income tax, state judge appointments) but I only voted on the issues I was educated about.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part?
My decision to participate in the political process grows from the same place that my desire to be thrifty comes from; to live my life in a meaningful and purposeful way and to protect and defend the gifts and resources which have been entrusted to me.

[minimustache1985]

What inspires you to vote?
I think of it as both a duty and right, and try to vote in each election.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc)
I split party lines and vote based on each candidate but find I lean slightly right, probably 60Rep/40Dem.  I'll throw my vote to the independent/libertarian/etc if both the Republican and Democratic candidates suck but otherwise feel like I'm wasting it.
Are you at all active in your local political community? No
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote?  I try to always vote, but there was a tax issue in my state I would have stopped in to vote on even if I hadn't had time to research candidates.  I also recently served on a jury and the judge from that case was up for re-election, I wanted to support him as well since he was very fair and ran his court well. 
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? No, although sadly voters are also a minority group.

[rocksinmyhead]

What inspires you to vote? Pretty much all the cheesy stuff other people said... people died so we could have a democracy, blah blah blah. I am pretty disenchanted with the system currently (major need for campaign finance reform, redistricting that actually makes sense, etc.) and I live in a state where my vote really does not make one whit of difference (other than for mayor or city council), but I still vote.

What party do you normally vote with, if any? (Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Unity, etc)

Almost always Democrat, although I have voted independent a couple of times.  As I've gotten older I lean towards Republican fiscal ideas, but until the nutty Tea Party people stop controlling that party it won't get my vote.

What Mandalay said.

Are you at all active in your local political community? Nope. Haven't really loved a candidate or party enough yet. Sometimes I donate a little.

Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? No, but I did get (perhaps delusionally) excited that we maybe had a chance to vote out Gov. Fallin. :(

Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? Agree with others that it's not related. The only tie-in to MMM that comes to mind is, as someone said on another thread, it's the only time politics is really within your "circle of control" :)

... I bet its a pretty good mix of liberal and libertarian on here...

That's actually one of my intense curiosities. I'm tempted to vote Libertarian whenever I can, but often times I can't get behind the idea of removing all funding from programs like healthcare or schooling. I think if more of my generation turned out to vote, we'd be able to easily push a third party.

agreed. in the leadup to the 2012 election I was discussing this with some coworkers my age (early-mid 20s, generally conservative-leaning for the age group since we work for an oil and gas company). we all thought a fiscally conservative, socially liberal candidate that was actually electable could be HUGELY popular with young people. I don't know WTF is up with young people not voting, though. it fucking pisses me off.

I did not vote this year. I moved a couple of times and forgot about it in the moving insanity. I am a socially liberal, financially conservative democrat. I'll vote next time I am able.

In Colorado you can register to vote on election day (though you have to be a resident of the state for 22 days before you qualify). In mid-term elections like this they mail a ballot to everyone, and you can mail it in, drop it off, or show up and vote in person (early or voting day). They also mail out a booklet that describes the ballot issues. There's really no excuse not to vote. I wasn't even planning on voting until a ballot showed up in the mail! (later I learned that this election actually matters, and there are state and local ballot measures that I care about, so I probably would have voted anyway) If you live in a state where it's harder to vote, you should push for them to change it!

I grew up in Minnesota, which also has election day registration (and coincidentally, consistently has some of the highest voter turnout in the nation). Oklahoma does not, which I think is stupid as hell. you're right, I should start trying to do something about it.

[aetherie]

What inspires you to vote? Wanting the Democrats to win, wanting to show people that millennials do vote, wanting to experience voting in my new state for the first time.
What party do you normally vote with, if any? Democrats.
Are you at all active in your local political community? No.
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? No.
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? Doesn't seem related to me.

[Allen]

What inspires you to vote? Didn't vote
What party do you normally vote with, if any? When I vote, I don't vote by party.
Are you at all active in your local political community? No.
Was there a major ballot issue this election that impassioned you to vote? No
Do you consider voting to be a mustachian behavior on your part? No