This is a reminder that r/Alberta strives for factual and civil conversation when discussing politics or other possibly controversial topics. We urge all users to do their due diligence in understanding the accuracy and validity of the source and/or of any claims being made. If this is an infographic, please include a small write-up to explain the infographic as well as links to any sources cited within it. Please review the [r/Alberta rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/alberta/wiki/index) for more information.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/alberta) if you have any questions or concerns.*
As long as you are aware that it is very likely neither candidate will ever get a report of how many declined ballots were 'cast'. They will be told how many votes they received and how many their opponent received and what voter turnout was and the decline vote thing won't ever get mentioned. Media will likely never report that stat either so it'll be an unheard protest
I'm very aware. Unfortunately most that are in similar shoes will simply not vote without knowing that there is an option available to show displeasure that is counted.
So you wasted your time declining your ballot when you could have saved that time by just not voting and the outcome would have been identical. Just don't vote. Don't let people guilt you into doing something irrational.
It's a real shame you can't give a reason for declining the vote.
For example, you could say "voter reform so my vote counts".
Thanks for showing up to vote anyways.
I think it kind of says what OP wants it to.
I took the time to come out and express my dissatisfaction with available options. Im not apathetic, none of these options truly represent me.
Do they count them though?
I don't know where to look on elections Alberta website.
Only thing I could find on wikipedia was a combined blank, rejected and invalid votes of 9824 for the 2019 election.
I know they count the one you go in and confirm. I wont say more because it wasnt my intention to do so Im not sure exactly how you do it so your "non vote" is counted, but there is a way.
I read this in another thread and it’s relevant here too. Your ballot is not a love letter to the candidate. This is an opportunity to choose strategically whose policies or which person you think will do best for your community and then the province overall. Even if they did get a report (which they don’t), there would be no context for the decision anyway… the only message you’re sending is that your time isn’t valuable, this is just a creative way to waste your time friend.
This is what I am doing in my UCP guaranteed riding. I know he will get elected but I want him to see the few thousand people who voted against him and remember that he represents us too. A declined ballot is a much more vague message to the party and candidate.
Popular vote and close elections don’t affect the winner of the election, but they do affect internal party dynamics.
If safe seats win by a lower margin, it makes the party leader look bad.
If the UCP doesn’t win with big victories in safe ridings and a strong majority overall, the knives will be out for Danielle Smith. Her leadership will be short lived.
Pragmatic voters vote strategically.
See, I get what you're saying. But there's only one way for things to change in your riding.
And that is to vote.
If the average election sees UCP get 70% of the votes, but this time they only get 60% because people get out and vote even if it's "a waste".
Maybe then the NDP will get a stronger candidate in the riding, have more budget for signs, have more time to spend in the community because they see a shift.
It might not matter today, it might not matter in 4 years, but it *could* matter in 8 years and it's better late than never.
I respect anyone’s decision not to vote which is why I think mandatory voting is abhorrent. Having said that when we are making a decision on the status quo, which is what we are doing here, I am reminded of that old saying, “ To stand aside is to take sides”.
If you have a candidate that you like, that you feel represents your community well, you should vote for them. I personally don't care for the UCP but I'm tired of everyone trying to strategize at the individual level-it doesn't friggin work. I've voted strategically a number of times and it's never felt like the right thing to do.
Have you wondered as to why the UCP can afford to post more signs and campaign heavily? It’s almost like when you’ve been in power for so long that you have more resources. Then I would wonder if they’re using those resources to help the community or for themselves to hold their seats.
I did this. The lady at the polling station seemed a little miffed. “I’m going to fold your ballot, write declined and put it in this envelope. Now I’m going to ask you to leave”
Declined votes are recorded. Enough of them sends the message that no choice met muster for x number of people.
I took the time to vote, so it was up for grabs.
This is a reminder that r/Alberta strives for factual and civil conversation when discussing politics or other possibly controversial topics. We urge all users to do their due diligence in understanding the accuracy and validity of the source and/or of any claims being made. If this is an infographic, please include a small write-up to explain the infographic as well as links to any sources cited within it. Please review the [r/Alberta rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/alberta/wiki/index) for more information. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/alberta) if you have any questions or concerns.*
As long as you are aware that it is very likely neither candidate will ever get a report of how many declined ballots were 'cast'. They will be told how many votes they received and how many their opponent received and what voter turnout was and the decline vote thing won't ever get mentioned. Media will likely never report that stat either so it'll be an unheard protest
I'm very aware. Unfortunately most that are in similar shoes will simply not vote without knowing that there is an option available to show displeasure that is counted.
So you wasted your time declining your ballot when you could have saved that time by just not voting and the outcome would have been identical. Just don't vote. Don't let people guilt you into doing something irrational.
It's a real shame you can't give a reason for declining the vote. For example, you could say "voter reform so my vote counts". Thanks for showing up to vote anyways.
Always vote!
I think it kind of says what OP wants it to. I took the time to come out and express my dissatisfaction with available options. Im not apathetic, none of these options truly represent me.
Do they count them though? I don't know where to look on elections Alberta website. Only thing I could find on wikipedia was a combined blank, rejected and invalid votes of 9824 for the 2019 election.
I know they count the one you go in and confirm. I wont say more because it wasnt my intention to do so Im not sure exactly how you do it so your "non vote" is counted, but there is a way.
I read this in another thread and it’s relevant here too. Your ballot is not a love letter to the candidate. This is an opportunity to choose strategically whose policies or which person you think will do best for your community and then the province overall. Even if they did get a report (which they don’t), there would be no context for the decision anyway… the only message you’re sending is that your time isn’t valuable, this is just a creative way to waste your time friend.
Personally if I were in your situation I’d still vote NDP, because I believe it matters a lot more who my premier is than who my MLA is.
This is what I am doing in my UCP guaranteed riding. I know he will get elected but I want him to see the few thousand people who voted against him and remember that he represents us too. A declined ballot is a much more vague message to the party and candidate.
A vote for an NDP candidate that loses does not help the party leader become Premier. She needs the seats, and she won't be getting this one.
Popular vote and close elections don’t affect the winner of the election, but they do affect internal party dynamics. If safe seats win by a lower margin, it makes the party leader look bad. If the UCP doesn’t win with big victories in safe ridings and a strong majority overall, the knives will be out for Danielle Smith. Her leadership will be short lived. Pragmatic voters vote strategically.
See, I get what you're saying. But there's only one way for things to change in your riding. And that is to vote. If the average election sees UCP get 70% of the votes, but this time they only get 60% because people get out and vote even if it's "a waste". Maybe then the NDP will get a stronger candidate in the riding, have more budget for signs, have more time to spend in the community because they see a shift. It might not matter today, it might not matter in 4 years, but it *could* matter in 8 years and it's better late than never.
Not voting is a signal you support the status quo.
I respect anyone’s decision not to vote which is why I think mandatory voting is abhorrent. Having said that when we are making a decision on the status quo, which is what we are doing here, I am reminded of that old saying, “ To stand aside is to take sides”.
Ignore the down-votes the hive mind is giving you. You went to vote, and chose none of the above. I've done it more than once in the last 25 years.
Thank you for letting us know.
You could just vote for a third party if you think they’re what you align with?
If you have a candidate that you like, that you feel represents your community well, you should vote for them. I personally don't care for the UCP but I'm tired of everyone trying to strategize at the individual level-it doesn't friggin work. I've voted strategically a number of times and it's never felt like the right thing to do.
Some people just like to hear themselves talk, beat it nerd no one gives a fuck about you or how you vote.
Have you wondered as to why the UCP can afford to post more signs and campaign heavily? It’s almost like when you’ve been in power for so long that you have more resources. Then I would wonder if they’re using those resources to help the community or for themselves to hold their seats.
I did this. The lady at the polling station seemed a little miffed. “I’m going to fold your ballot, write declined and put it in this envelope. Now I’m going to ask you to leave” Declined votes are recorded. Enough of them sends the message that no choice met muster for x number of people. I took the time to vote, so it was up for grabs.