Do You Know People Who Didn't Vote In 2000/2002?

If so, how many? What were their reasons? What are their demographics? Political leanings, if any?

I'll start: I know one. White female, late 20's, Midwestern, never politically active but left-leaning in ideology. Just didn't vote. Now a bush-hater. Plans to vote next election and is taking a good look at Dean.

I think it may be interesting, if not valueable information. It's also something we can all do - get these people to the polls!

more often than not - they didn't vote in 2000/2002, nor do they ever vote. Oh, one guy, he voted in 1976, he says. There was some overriding reason at the time.

demographics: professionals - college degreed. Not over the top successful...but doing well enough to have boats and toys and vacations.

AT this point, I wonder if this country can even be saved. And that 50% who don't vote -- well, I almost want to give them the country they 'invested' in.

And this one guy -- who voted in 1976 -- he wants to leave this fascist country. I think he should have to stay!

I am pretty cynical right now.

One - my husband's daughter (late 20's)... before November 2002 I was trying to get her to commit to going out and voting... she said they are al crooks... it doesn't matter... then after this year she said she'll vote next election. I am going to hold her to it. Oh yeah and her children are on medicaid and she does not have health insurance.

2nd - ex-coworker in her 50's... just didn't vote because she didn't have the time or something like that... another DUer and I are going to work on her for this coming year.

he comes from a wealthy Jewish family. Can't be bothered to vote. He does register, but only so he can do jury duty, which he does see as a duty of a citizen. He thinks all pols are evil bastards and thinks they are all out for themselves and that it is all rigged anyway. He is a liberal, at least in philosphy. I've been working on him for 10 years. He's in Texas, so I can understand his beliefs, but can't support them.

with someone in a battleground state? That way he could at least get in his protest vote, and make it count for something.

At every Howard Dean meeting I attend. I've posted about this phenomena before. Howard Deans message is bringing these people into the fold from the wilderness. I feel hopeful about democracy again.
It's a nice thing to be part of friends.

Those of you who haven't go to a Meetup 1st Wednesday of Nov.

http://www.Meetup.com

i was in grad school in 2000 and didn't get my absentee ballot from virginia in time.
plus, at the time i was blinded by nader and actually said to someone, "well, maybe it'll take 4 years of bush to make people realize that the two party system is broken."

boy. was i wrong.

so i've been as active as possible since then to try and make reparations.

me and my friends. reason? not yet 18. but this comming election we will hit the polls.

We're counting on you. Apparently there are too many jaded thirtysomethings out there. Jaded at 30...pretty sad state of affairs.

the people I talk to have no hope for political change and they were all lefties.

From left and right, and their reasons are all "it doesn't matter, both sides are crooked". :(

But I'm working on them for 2004. Believe it or not a couple still don't see much reason. !

or is it that they like him, but they've already given up on his chances?

I tend to spend time around a very politically aware crowd. Most of those I know who don't vote do so because of their particular political perspective, namely the belief that all dominator-subordinate systems of government are atithetical to their values. I actually agree with them, but for me an anarchical system is more distant goal that I try to build the foundations of in the here-and-now. I'm willing to engage corrupt power sturctures; whereas, they feel that doing so only encourages their continued existence, and that people will only truly be free when they leave them behind. Perhaps they're correct and I'll change my way of going about things someday, or maybe they will.

I do know a handful of people who have or had never voted because they have mostly lived outside the mainstream their entire life and never felt any real connection to the political process. In a number of cases, I got them to register so they could vote for me. I hoped it was something that would continue beyond one election for them.


Peace

2000 was the first major election after many of my friends and I graduated from college. You would be stunned how many bright people don't know that you can't just go to any precinct and vote. I've always felt a little guilty because I never thought to explain our voting requirements.