The ladies who vote?

Nevyn

Have you voted today?
Will you be voting today?
If not why not?

I'm about to head out the door with my kids to go vote, they have been nagging me and I was wondering how many of you ladies will be or have been.

And added in options for the lads, so no ones will be giving out I'm sexist :P

shellyboo

No, I'm not on the register (ladies)

My vote is in Donegal... so not taking a day off work to do it.

Am going to change my electoral area for the next one, was too late by the time I remembered this time around.

Michellenman

No, I don't vote (lads)

Voted.

NewFrockTuesday

No, I don't vote (lads)

Going to vote later. Still deciding who.

Morgase

No, I don't vote (lads)

I'm working in Kilkenny and am going to spend weekend at bf's parents in Wexford - so I'm leaving work soon and driving home up to Wicklow to vote and drive back down to Wexford. Can I have a hero biscuit please? (not getting at you shellyboo btw - it's a long old road up to Donegal whereas my drive isn't too bad at all)

I have always voted since turning 18. I think it's very important. I feel entitled to give out about the government / town council / FF / whoever since I did my best and voted (usually for whoever isn't actually in power, but there you go).

One thing that annoyed me in the last general election was the vote being on a Thursday and thus preventing a lot of students who are away from home from voting. Cynical me believes that it was to disenfranchise people who would be less likely to vote FF.

No, I don't vote (lads)

Why is family in inverted commas.

It is a bit of a lame excuse this time around. (Really remote peeps like Shellyboo aside.)
It is a Friday and stations are open till 10.

Some polling station lady who wasn't old enough to be given the benefit of the doubt.
Directed a "Good girl!" acclaimation my way for voting. *cringe*

Morgase

No, I don't vote (lads)

Moonbaby wrote: »

Some polling station lady who wasn't old enough to be given the benefit of the doubt.
Directed a "Good girl!" acclaimation my way for voting. *cringe*

Haha I always get that too. I wonder is it cause we don't look like people who are normally interested in voting and therefore need extra encouragement when we do? It's an odd one.

shellyboo

No, I'm not on the register (ladies)

Morgase wrote: »

I'm working in Kilkenny and am going to spend weekend at bf's parents in Wexford - so I'm leaving work soon and driving home up to Wicklow to vote and drive back down to Wexford. Can I have a hero biscuit please? (not getting at you shellyboo btw - it's a long old road up to Donegal whereas my drive isn't too bad at all)

Also, I don't drive. And even if I left after work, I'd miss the polls. And I'm not taking a day's holidays to vote.

My reasons are multitude

Morgase wrote: »

One thing that annoyed me in the last general election was the vote being on a Thursday and thus preventing a lot of students who are away from home from voting. Cynical me believes that it was to disenfranchise people who would be less likely to vote FF.

This *always* pissed me off. You can't get the postal vote if you're a student either.

emollett

No, I don't vote (lads)

Went and voted earlier. Went somewhat smoother than last time when it was the first time i had come across having to number people! (Am English, usually it's just a cross in a box).
There being no postal votes here is ridiculous, the ammount of students not voting because they are registered at home must surely make a diffrence? Although i do wish many of them would register where they go to college if they are generally more likely to be there than home whenever a vote comes up.

shellyboo

No, I'm not on the register (ladies)

emollett wrote: »

Went and voted earlier. Went somewhat smoother than last time when it was the first time i had come across having to number people! (Am English, usually it's just a cross in a box).
There being no postal votes here is ridiculous, the ammount of students not voting because they are registered at home must surely make a diffrence? Although i do wish many of them would register where they go to college if they are generally more likely to be there than home whenever a vote comes up.

But what about when they finish college? Change it back again? We shouldn't have to do that. Elections should be run on a Friday AND Saturday.

There are postal votes, but you have to be out of the country to get one.

Morgase

No, I don't vote (lads)

emollett wrote: »

Although i do wish many of them would register where they go to college if they are generally more likely to be there than home whenever a vote comes up.

I can't speak for all students of course, but in my situation I moved around so much as a student that it was more practical to be registered at home.

Morgase

No, I don't vote (lads)

Morgase wrote: »

Haha I always get that too. I wonder is it cause we don't look like people who are normally interested in voting and therefore need extra encouragement when we do? It's an odd one.

The Fine fáil plant thanked me....what does he think I look like!. :eek:

emollett wrote: »

Although i do wish many of them would register where they go to college if they are generally more likely to be there than home whenever a vote comes up.

I see who does what in my local constituancy. I wouldn't have an interest in voting away.

But my friends who didnt want to travel did get postal votes when they were in uni.

Stheno

No, I don't vote (lads)

Morgase wrote: »

I have always voted since turning 18. I think it's very important. I feel entitled to give out about the government / town council / FF / whoever since I did my best and voted (usually for whoever isn't actually in power, but there you go).

Same here, voted earlier after doing a round trip of 150 miles just to feckin vote, but it's very important to me that I as an individual take part in the whole process.

One thing that annoyed me in the last general election was the vote being on a Thursday and thus preventing a lot of students who are away from home from voting. Cynical me believes that it was to disenfranchise people who would be less likely to vote FF.

Yeah I remember in college having to go home to vote loads of times, it was a real pain in the ass.

No, I'm not on the register (ladies)

Forgot to change my address and wasn't travelling all the way "home" to vote, if I could have even got there in time

emollett

No, I don't vote (lads)

shellyboo wrote: »

But what about when they finish college? Change it back again? We shouldn't have to do that. Elections should be run on a Friday AND Saturday.

There are postal votes, but you have to be out of the country to get one.

It's not all that hard, i've changed my registration several times since i've been here due to moving about Dublin. Not the best, but it can be done and is worth it for me, to have my vote.
But ideally people would be able to get postal votes for where they consider their home, thats how it is done in the UK, you can just set up a postal vote even if you aren't out of the country.

mental07

No, I'm not on the register (ladies)

Holding elections and referenda on a Thursday is ridiculous. They should be on Sunday, in my opinion. It certainly works, turn-out wise, in other countries. For example: in the most recent French presidential elections, the turnout was 84% for both the first round and second round. Also if a voter knows in advance they are going to be away from their polling station on voting day, they can nominate someone to vote on their behalf.

Faith

I generally always vote, but I didn't today. Frankly, I couldn't even tell you who was in what party, and who's local or and MEP. Having been out of the country until a week ago, I don't know a thing, and I never got a chance to sit down and read about the candidates to make an informed decision. If I'd voted today, I may as well have just stabbed blindly at the ballot. I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't take the time to do the research, though.

brianthebard

shellyboo wrote: »

My vote is in Donegal... so not taking a day off work to do it.

Am going to change my electoral area for the next one, was too late by the time I remembered this time around.

Do it now in case you forget again!

amacachi

I voted, voted in everything since I turned 18. I find it fairly sad how few people vote tbh. Though when I hear some people's logic for how they're going to vote I sometimes wonder if it would be better if even less people voted. :P

phic

No, I don't vote (lads)

took time out from studying for the leaving to vote! was my first time, and I didn't really know the procedure but the people there we're very helpful! I feel so grown up!

Morgase

No, I don't vote (lads)

phic wrote: »

took time out from studying for the leaving to vote! was my first time, and I didn't really know the procedure but the people there we're very helpful! I feel so grown up!

Fair play to you! Feck, now I'm as bad as the ones thanking me at the ballot box

Also as a matter of interest do you ladies make a conscious decision to vote for women? Say if there's two candidates who are very similar in what they are promising but one's male and the other's female? I have to admit I try to vote for women if their viewpoints coincide with mine, just to get a bit more female representation in the seats.

Permabear

No, I'm not on the register (lads)

This post has been deleted.

Salome

No, I don't vote (lads)

I voted at 8.00am before work this morning. It's very important to me that I use the vote - afterall, many people died to get me that vote so it's up to me that I make sure I use it. Simple as that.

rainbow kirby

No, I don't vote (lads)

Voted this morning. I've voted in every election I've been able to, including pulling a sickie from work to vote on the Lisbon referendum (because I was still registered in Tallaght, but living in Lucan).

Also as a matter of interest do you ladies make a conscious decision to vote for women? Say if there's two candidates who are very similar in what they are promising but one's male and the other's female? I have to admit I try to vote for women if their viewpoints coincide with mine, just to get a bit more female representation in the seats.

I vote for the best candidate in my view - in general, regardless of gender. However if a male and female candidate were equal in ability, I'd be inclined to pick the female one.

bansheee

No, I don't vote (lads)

Yes voted too. I believe it is our duty and should be mandatory

marshmallow

No, I don't vote (lads)

phic wrote: »

took time out from studying for the leaving to vote! was my first time, and I didn't really know the procedure but the people there we're very helpful! I feel so grown up!

me too

Pythia

No, I don't vote (lads)

Voted in all 3 elections today. Woo, can't wait to see the results tomorrow, will be tallying.

spinandscribble

No, I'm not on the register (ladies)

I'm currently in the states but have voted in all the elections I could until I moved. My housemate said he looking into it and said we couldn't vote.

Vinny-Chase

Yup voted this evening.
Civic duty done for another while

Nightwish

No, I don't vote (lads)

I voted at lunchtime and felt good about it too! I've yet to miss an election/referendum since I was 18. I've always made a point of travelling home to vote. Anyway I'm really looking forward to the counting tomorrow. I might head to the count centre to nosy in on the action.

Dragan

bansheee wrote: »

Yes voted too. I believe it is our duty and should be mandatory

Why?

Xiney

No, I don't vote (lads)

Morgase wrote: »

Also as a matter of interest do you ladies make a conscious decision to vote for women? Say if there's two candidates who are very similar in what they are promising but one's male and the other's female? I have to admit I try to vote for women if their viewpoints coincide with mine, just to get a bit more female representation in the seats.

If there were two candidates equal in every way except for gender, I'd probably pick the woman.

However, what really got my goat was a female candidate in my region, whose entire platform seemed to be, "I work on the factory floor and I want to capture the women's vote" Oh, so I should vote for you just because you're a woman and I'm a woman and therefore we understand each other on important female matters of shoes and chocolate? Feck that. I'm a feminist, and it doesn't work that way!

watna

shellyboo wrote: »

There are postal votes, but you have to be out of the country to get one.

No there isn't. You can only get a postal vote if you are a member of the defence force serving abroad, a diplomat or a menber of the garda Siochana (if memory serves me correctly(. I checked when I left Ireland. I have no entitlement to vote while living abroad. If I did I certainly would use it. When I found out I was very annoyed about it.

bronte

No, I don't vote (lads)

Yep, voted, Don't think I've ever missed one since I turned 18.

People have died for me to have that damn vote!

Morgase

No, I don't vote (lads)

Xiney wrote: »

If there were two candidates equal in every way except for gender, I'd probably pick the woman.

However, what really got my goat was a female candidate in my region, whose entire platform seemed to be, "I work on the factory floor and I want to capture the women's vote" Oh, so I should vote for you just because you're a woman and I'm a woman and therefore we understand each other on important female matters of shoes and chocolate? Feck that. I'm a feminist, and it doesn't work that way!

I was just listening to the radio and they were talking about silly quotes from the candidates.

One of them was from Deirdre de Burca and on being asked why people should vote for her, replied "I feel I'm a woman".

Xiney

No, I don't vote (lads)

Haha, I hope she wasn't feeling she was a woman in public! That's just rude!

bansheee

No, I don't vote (lads)

Dragan wrote: »

Why?

I get really annoyed when people are apathetic about take the fact that we are able to vote . I believe it is a privilege .

I watch in other countries people queuing up to vote because they feel it is so important to have a voice, and yet many people here just take it for granted and many don't even vote:mad:

These are often the very people who winge and whine that things are not right in this country it really p***es me off.

Bansheee

Twee.

No, I don't vote (lads)

I voted yesterday, civic duty and all that! I had to spend the day running a few errands with my mammy so I made sure we didn't get in the car without polling cards and ID. I reminded her about twenty times that we had to go to the polls!

Only about three of my mates voted, the rest aren't even registered. Silly as well, to put ANOTHER election on during the Leaving Cert. I know you have the whole day to do it, but voting would be the last thing on your mind. I was very happy to run into my exam-sitting friend in at the polling centre.

Joey the lips

2 bits of very important information in this thread.

1. Thank god a massive amount of people on boards vote!

2. Half the amount of men as women tune into boards. Perhaps women should consider a hosted private forum...... To discuss bits and bobs or perhaps you should make use of the fact you can say what you want as well as having men give you "the other side"

Twee.

No, I don't vote (lads)

phic wrote: »

I feel so grown up!

Voted last year the day after I'd finished my Leaving. Felt so cool and mature:o Finished school, went to vote, went to the pub. How adult of me!

Madame Razz

I didn't vote yesterday. I wasn't able to, being away for the days duration. I would have if I could though; unfortunately it wasn't possible.

convert

No, I don't vote (lads)

I voted yesterday, too. Travelled home from college to do so.

There are so many people - mostly guys- I spoke to who weren't going to vote because they believe their vote doesn't count and that they couldn't be bothered anyway!

When I think how many people fought (and died) so we could vote, I feel so frustrated when people take their right to a vote with such complacency and apathy. There are so many countries where people don't have this right and would give so much just to vote, people here should be ashamed that they don't use their vote.

Pythia

No, I don't vote (lads)

All three I voted for topped the poll (or will top the poll when votes counted). Hurray!

Xiney

No, I don't vote (lads)

Xiney wrote: »

If there were two candidates equal in every way except for gender, I'd probably pick the woman.

However, what really got my goat was a female candidate in my region, whose entire platform seemed to be, "I work on the factory floor and I want to capture the women's vote" Oh, so I should vote for you just because you're a woman and I'm a woman and therefore we understand each other on important female matters of shoes and chocolate? Feck that. I'm a feminist, and it doesn't work that way!

Yer wan only got 171 first preference votes :cool:

K4t

I won't be voting because I don't know nor care what county councillors/MEPs etc do. What they do is of little significance to me anyway.

I will vote if there's a general elction though.

TriceMarie

I voted on Friday...for the first time!!:p:o

I turned 18 last year but the people never sent me my card,so I printed out the form that you get the guards to stamp&sign.....WELL!!They were looking at it like it was something from outer space!!:eek: They stamped it,but when I got home realised they hadn't signed it!:mad: So then it was too late to vote that year..

But I think it's ridiciulous...most of the people don't know what each governments is all about/their plans...I know I didn't anyway,and I'm sure many people my age wouldn't either.I had to look them all up online like
but I was sure I wasn't gonna vote for someone say who was in favour of the Lisbon Treaty..:mad: that's ANOTHER thing people don't know half as much about as we should..and yea that might sound hypocritical,but what I do know about,for example our army's possible non-neutrality if it passes,I will definantly not be in favour of it!!...And it makes me so mad they will not just accept our decision and are bullying us again!:mad: because apparently the Nice Treaty was the same thing,they've just changed the name!


I'm sure alot of people will be tutting at me,but I just have strong opinions and get very annoyed when it comes to things like this

Nevyn

No, I don't vote (lads)

Congratultions TriceMarie.

well K4t I thik you shoudl find out what your country co are responsible for that way you know who to complain to.

I really don't see why we don't have proper civics classes in secondary schools which explain how the different branches o government work and how to vote and why it's important.

Piste

No, I don't vote (lads)

We do, it's called CSPE, it's just so boring no one pays attention.

Nevyn

No, I don't vote (lads)

I've looked over that piste it's not comprehensive imho.

Piste

No, I don't vote (lads)

Yeah they do try to cover an awful lot, like the government system, the courts system, environment etc so there isn't much in-depth focus on a particular area.

tallaght01

But politics is dynamic. Civics isn't the answer, IMO.

A large chunk of the population don't know the idealogical differences between the parties, and certainly aren't aware of their policy differences. Most people haven't read Fine Gael's new health policy (though I know that's not the issue at hand here) and most people won't be able to tell you about the parties' individual stance on foreign affairs issues etc.

People make a big song and dance about voting, when they're not always well informed about what they're actually voting for. I made that mistake when voting for the labour party in the UK in the 90s without properly reading their health manifesto.

I know people who don't vote, because they're not familiar with the issues, and that's fair enough I reckon. If they're not going to familiarise themselves, then their voting is pot luck anyway.

I have often voted without the full facts. I suspect most of us could say the same if we're being truthful.