How do you decide how to vote in Federal Elections?

[jacee]

At the time of your last election last year we had reports how the party-affilitions among the Canadian voters can change very quickly. I noted that the reports were suggesting that Canadians are somehow whimsical or fickle because they don't vote for the same party in every election. I think that is just gross. As if voting for the same party all through your adulthood makes you a mature person.

Agreed.

Obviously the political parties don't like voter swings and prefer to have everyone's vote nailed down for life. The media sources of those reports must have had a party bias.

Fortunately there are still enough Canadians who refuse to be nailed into such lock-step politics and resent the pressure to do so.

Unfortunately, the only way to become directly involved and have influence in politics and policy is to become a lock-step member of a political party. Even then, unless you are a major funding contributor your influence on policy is generally limited to cheering when party policy is announced.

Perhaps that explains why the Council of Canadians - a non-partisan lobby/protest group - has more members than all of the political parties put together.

Perhaps it also explains the low and declining voter turnout, as more and more Canadians find the partisan party system corrupted and non-responsive to their needs.

[bleeding heart]

In blind partisanship, sure. Like the kind where you can't even criticize the politicians in your party because they're on the same "team." However, I like to think that people vote for the party that best represents their values. Politicians change, voters change, heck even parties change, so I can see changing your vote in that sense. However, if I continue to vote for a particular party, it's because they have a vision for Canada that I agree with the most. I can't see those things changing every single election though.

No, of course you're right. I have voted for all the big three over the years, but the NDP has gotten the lion's share of my excellent vote.

However, if the NDP were to drastically change its vision (not an impossibility, to be sure), I simply wouldn't see the point of my continued support.

[TimG]

Perhaps that explains why the Council of Canadians - a non-partisan lobby/protest group - has more members than all of the political parties put together.

ROTFL. The Council of Canadians is a rabidly partisan group set up to attack Conservatives. The fact that it is not officially aligned with the NDP or Liberals is irrelevant - it is still partisan. Edited April 2, 2012 by TimG

[Topaz]

At the time of your last election last year we had reports how the party-affilitions among the Canadian voters can change very quickly. I noted that the reports were suggesting that Canadians are somehow whimsical or fickle because they don't vote for the same party in every election. I think that is just gross. As if voting for the same party all through your adulthood makes you a mature person.

How can you say that when the Conservatives are NOT the Progressive Conservatives and don't govern like the PC's either. These Conservatives are much meaner,less compassionate for their fellow man/woman. Parties change through new party leaders and Harper is an excellent example of that.

[Battletoads]

I vote based on the past actions/statements of a party and their members.

[August1991]

For example, the tories have never put anything much about immigration in their platforms, but my general perception is that they would attempt to modify and restructure it so as to let in fewer criminals and deadbeats.

Do you really decide on this?

On top of that is my perception of the intelligence, ability, integrity and common sense of the leader, and how much he and his party share in my values and vision for the country.

Blah, blah, blah.

Well, unless a candidate wins by one vote. Ive seen some win by a single digit number of votes so they can be important.

Single digits don't matter.

To my knowledge, a single vote has never decided a federal seat.

As a starry-eyed twenty something, I got swept up in Trudeaumania so had voted Liberal since those days. It helped that Trudeau laid the groundwork for pay and benefits increases I simply couldn't vote against.

Thank you for your honesty.

[August1991]

I look for the candidate with NDP next to his or her name and put an X in the circle next to his/her name.

Honest, like a Habs fan.

Choose the party platform best meets the following objectives:

1) Reduces the role of government in society;

2) Works towards a balanced budget;

3) Has a chance of winning government;

Your motivation sounds good in theory but I suspect you are lying.

No, of course you're right. I have voted for all the big three over the years, but the NDP has gotten the lion's share of my excellent vote.

However, if the NDP were to drastically change its vision (not an impossibility, to be sure), I simply wouldn't see the point of my continued support.

Why the NDP?

I vote based on the past actions/statements of a party and their members.

And I eat 8 fruit/vegetables every day. Edited April 3, 2012 by August1991

[Bryan]

I don't think the question is complicated at all. I vote for the party that is either most likely to enact policies I agree with, or least likely to enact policies I disagree with.

Isn't that how everyone votes when it comes right down to it?

[bleeding heart]

Why the NDP?

Because a certain poster named August1991 has a remarkably negative obssession with all things "left," so I took that as evidence that they must be correct.

[Bonam]

Vote for whoever is likely to do the least damage.

[Bonam]

Do you really decide on this?

Blah, blah, blah.

Single digits don't matter.

To my knowledge, a single vote has never decided a federal seat.

Thank you for your honesty.

Honest, like a Habs fan.

Your motivation sounds good in theory but I suspect you are lying.

Why the NDP?

And I eat 8 fruit/vegetables every day.

Why do you automatically reject/dismiss every reply that shows some thoughtfulness while nodding at each reply which shows partisanship or simple-mindedness? Good thing you didn't start a poll as you suggested in the OP, your choices would probably be absurdly biased, as you seem to have some deeply ingrained preconceptions on this matter.

[TimG]

Your motivation sounds good in theory but I suspect you are lying.

What possible basis do you have for saying that? The only problem with my criteria is there is no party that wants to reduce the role of government is all areas so I have to compromise.

[Bonam]

What possible basis do you have for saying that?

His basis is he thinks that people vote based on stupid media trends, hype, and thoughtlessness, and anyone that says anything other than that must be lying. Notice his reply to Argus as well as yourself: "lies", "blah blah blah". And contrast that with his response to cybercoma and capricorn: "thanks for your honesty".

[bleeding heart]

Exactly. We've been informed that people vote for left-leaning parties "because they perceive them to be cool." And people vote for the Conservatives because "they're Protestants, like Harper." And women tend to vote a little more liberal than men because "they crave authority figures." And men vote Conservative because--well, he'll come up with something strange to explain it.

And so on.

Honestly, it's almost refreshing to see him temporarily try a tact other than "The Left! The Left!"....his usual complaint.

Edited April 3, 2012 by bleeding heart