Kamala Harris interviewed by Brett Baier

A2SG said:

Well, no. You can always write in a candidate who isn't on the ballot...but that rarely amounts to anything even with a serious, concerted and organized effort behind it. The only example I know of where it worked for a major election was with Senator Strom Thurmond in 1954.

-- A2SG, beyond that, it's still rarely successful, and even then, pretty much limited to local elections....

Click to expand...

You can? Gee, I didn't think that that would be possible. You can't do that down here.

Bradskii said:

You can? Gee, I didn't think that that would be possible. You can't do that down here.

Click to expand...

Yup, happens all the time here. In fact, some people even write in protest votes, voting for Micky Mouse or some such.

-- A2SG, we Americans can be a weird bunch sometimes....

A2SG said:

Yup, happens all the time here. In fact, some people even write in protest votes, voting for Micky Mouse or some such.

-- A2SG, we Americans can be a weird bunch sometimes....

Click to expand...

I'm assuming that if you put down an actual person then they keep a count of the votes he or she might get. Adding anything except a tick in the box for one of the nominated candidates on our ballots nullifies it.

Bradskii said:

I'm assuming that if you put down an actual person then they keep a count of the votes he or she might get. Adding anything except a tick in the box for one of the nominated candidates on our ballots nullifies it.

Click to expand...

Yup, write in votes are counted, same as votes for official candidates, even for non-serious or even fictional candidates.


Sometimes, they can even win. More often in local elections than state-wide or national ones, granted, but as previously given examples show, it's not impossible.

-- A2SG, it's just a lot, lot more difficult.....

If voting is ever mandatory writing in one's separate choice should be our right anyway. Others to choose are preselected, and should not be who we have to choose between. There is reason to not keep trusting government and those in it. Government never gets better, it never has. Worse people get into it, and it would get worse, as it will. Only revolution ever changes anything for that, and still with further government afterward any betterment will not last. Democracy may be better than other ways but it does not stop this, while people still trust in their voting.

FredVB said:

If voting is ever mandatory writing in one's separate choice should be our right anyway. Others to choose are preselected, and should not be who we have to choose between. There is reason to not keep trusting government and those in it. Government never gets better, it never has.

Click to expand...

Yes and no. Government can be "God's servants to do you good" as Paul wrote in Romans 13 - or become corrupt and like one of the many beasts we see in scripture - persecuting God's people - as in Daniel or Revelation. Try this episode of Undeceptions - it has some mind-blowing content! I love this podcast!

FredVB said:

Worse people get into it, and it would get worse, as it will.

Click to expand...

You don't know that.
You don't know the future.

FredVB said:

Only revolution ever changes anything for that, and still with further government afterward any betterment will not last.

Click to expand...

Yes and no.
Romans 13 still applies today - until they start rounding up God's people and demand they worship something else. Then it's time to flee or time to die!

FredVB said:

Democracy may be better than other ways but it does not stop this, while people still trust in their voting.

Click to expand...

Ah - so that's it!
You're just coming into the political forum to have a go at us people that like to actually engage with the system as commanded in Romans 13!

Well - right back at you.

Why do you ignore Romans 13?

Do you not owe the authorities not just your taxes, not just your obedience in all matters of the law - but also your honour?
And if they ask you to vote and have some civil engagement - why do you ignore that? You could be working to help improve society a little - acting as salt and light on your watch?

Why are you abandoning this responsibility?
Worse - why are you trying to guilt and discourage your fellow citizens who are taking this responsibility seriously?

FredVB said:

If voting is ever mandatory writing in one's separate choice should be our right anyway. Others to choose are preselected, and should not be who we have to choose between. There is reason to not keep trusting government and those in it. Government never gets better, it never has. Worse people get into it, and it would get worse, as it will. Only revolution ever changes anything for that, and still with further government afterward any betterment will not last. Democracy may be better than other ways but it does not stop this, while people still trust in their voting.

Click to expand...

I’m fairly cynical, but this is just depressing.

A2SG said:

Well, no. You can always write in a candidate who isn't on the ballot...but that rarely amounts to anything even with a serious, concerted and organized effort behind it. The only example I know of where it worked for a major election was with Senator Strom Thurmond in 1954.

-- A2SG, beyond that, it's still rarely successful, and even then, pretty much limited to local elections....

Click to expand...

Lisa Murkowski had a successful write in. She was, of course, already well known.