Greetings all,

Here are the pertinent quotations. The folks whjo vote come first, then the ones who do not, then the ones who sometimes vote. Within the no voters, it is divided between general comments on the meaning of the vote, and then a discussion of the time it takes to vote, and also a discussion of the desire not to vote wrong because of lack of information.

Please read through the quotations, and think about which ought to be added to the final text and where.

Yes

LMW4: I think it's important for um, for everyone in general. People who are informed with issues, informed on issues to, to throw in their sur, ya know their support. One way or the other, it doesn't really matter, but just the act of voting itself I think is the important thing, um for several reasons, because that's ya know, that's how we're supposed to be governed is, ya know get the input of as many people as there are within a constituency. And the fact that this is, people take it for granted now, but I think from studying history as much as I have that you realize that this is something that people really cherished. It's taken for granted now but it's uh, it's been, it's important now and it's, people held even more high regard in the past, so.

LMW4: I see a vote as um, an individuals chance to actually participate in, in government. I mean with how large our country is, ya know getting close to 300 million people you, your vote seems more diluted every time you see population counts and that type of thing but I think it's ya know although your one vote typically won't sway an election it's, I think it's sort of the civic duty that you should, you should vote because it's, it's been such a cherished thing in our past by, ya know past generations and people have, have fought and struggled and protested to get the vote for all sorts of groups and so I see it as ya know, partly as civic duty and ya know, it's your one it's, it's your one chance to, to certainly participate in the political process because I mean, unless you're going to like write letters to, to congressman and representatives and that kinda, that type of thing. I mean you can do that and try to sway it, but ultimately you're, you're greatest chance to sway the way things are going to turn out in the future are going to happen at the ballot box.

LMW4: Well, I think generally it's, it's a right um, ya know for, for Americans it's a right and I, I mean I believe it's a privilege that can be lost, such as states that don't allow felons, convicted felons to vote and that type of thing, but I think it's a right in terms of we ya know, it's taken a long time but, just ya know, in just the last forty years finally it's gotten to the point where everybody everywhere can vote and I think this is how ya know, how it, it should have been for a long time but it is a right that is very important to America.

LMW4: Um, well first of all I would try to tell them about how important it is just to show up at the polls or to ya know, to let people you know you voted um because no matter who you're voting for if you, if people see you going there, if the older people see you the ya know, increased numbers of young people come out and elected officials pick up on this, no matter which way you're voting, that's going to help us out in in the future, in terms of ya know when we want to when we want to push for things like ya know, better situation on tuition, better facilities on campus or, or you just want to maybe support something you're parents support, they're going to want to, the more people that show up and every, I mean every one individual adds on to this, the more people that are going to show up it's going to give us a greater voice in terms of lobbying to our government, state government and federal government and in terms of time I don't think, I think now with ya know, a lot of kids been picking up with the absentee ballots and that type of thing and there's no excuse why you can't register and fill out an absentee ballot ya know, say like you have a night class on Tuesday or you work all day or something and you can't make it well, that that gives you I mean, ya know take five minutes and a stamp and, and you have your voice right there and ya know maybe it's not as big of a impact in terms of people seeing you at the polls and that type of thing, but, but just, ya know letting people know you voted and uh, and getting your voice in there, it adds up. Although it seems like if you don't vote it's not going to make a big difference, you need a lot of, a lot of one individual people combined, you need to get a lot of those people combined before anything will happen. So each person who, who says their not going to show up or they don't have the time or they don't care ya know, each one of those people, that adds up to a lot of people that we're missing out on in terms of our potential voice.

LMW3: I feel that it's my civic duty. In order to keep our democracy prospering, we need voices from every segment of the population in order to, I don't know, every ones ideas and get a variety of candidates in office and yeah.

LMW3: I going to elaborate on the past election, last week, um right now our economy is suffering, we have a republican president, we had a very close, we had a very close division in congress and I just felt that everyone's vote counted so that the, we would get an equal balance and the entire federal government, anyways, back to that, um, I wanted to vote for democratic senators and house of representatives because I felt their um, voice needed to be heard in congress so their would be a balance between the executive branch and the legislative branch and the third branch, which is the supreme court is also very conservative. So that really, really made me want to have a democratic congress.

LMW3: It it's my channel to participate in government and support democracy and…

LMW3: That their apathy really it for everything, okay, because they don't vote they have no right to complain about the way the government is like if things aren't going right for them, like jobs or economy, whatever, they have no right to complain because they are doing nothing to change things. People's personal opinions are expressed through voting, or through like, joining a special interest group or something like that. Being active with the government, so if people in that age group don't vote, then they have no right to complain or say the government is bad because they're not doing anything to change it.

SRT02- I think a vote means that I'm willing to put someone in office who I think is the best candidate for the job, who I think will support the policies . . . the policies, regulations, laws, etc, and the, um, general political philosophy that I support.

SRT- Ok. You told me what you think a vote means. Could you tell me why specifically you choose to vote, as a 20-something male?

Tuhy02- Well, for one thing I know that our population, our demographic is GROSSLY underrepresented.

Tuhy01- Um, I vote just because its fun to feel like I have a say in what goes on in the government and in political issues that go on. Um, I feel like its our American duty quote unquote to, you know, be able to participate in the future of our government.

Tuhy01- I'm a very opinionated person. So the essence of voting for me is to be able to put my two cents in, and to be able to say you know yea or nay depending on you know what, who or what I'm voting for. If I like what they stand for and I like the politician, uh and I feel that they've done a good job if they're incumbent, I will vote for them again. But if some, if another politician comes along that I feel could further what has already been done more so than the previous politician then I will go ahead and support that. I consider myself to be with a certain particular political party but I am not, I am certainly not opposed to, um, looking-looking into what other poli-what the other side has to say. So, basically for me the essence of voting is being able to express my opinion in that way and, you know, supporting the American system like that.

SRT- alright, yeah, ok great. Why is it that you vote?

Tuhy03- Just what I do.

SRT- I'm getting a shrug, it's just what you do?

Tuhy03- It's just what I do.

SRT- Ok- what do you think a vote means? If you had to, like, give your philosophy, what do you think a vote means?

Tuhy03- A vote?

SRT- Yeah

Tuhy03- Just, a choice

SRT- Ok, a choice between . . .

Tuhy03- two people

SRT-- ok, cool. And why is it--why do you vote, or why are you planning on voting in November this year?

Tuhy06--The primary reason is I'm actually old enough now to vote.

SRT-- ok

Tuhy06-- One person does count, you know, a lot of 1's add up to a lot.

SRT-- ok

Tuhy06-- A lot of people think one vote doesn't count, you know. If everybody had that nobody would be voting and nothin' would be accomplished. So that's my primary goal. Secondary goal, err, reason I guess, in a class we are doing a campaign for a state senate race in disctirct 9

Tuhy06-- I think a vote is a representation of a person's point of view, really. Umm, I don't know if I necessarily learned this in class but, it's picking/choosing leaders that you think will properly represent the people that elected them. It's about the leadership qualities they have, and the things they will do for the people. It's not for themselves. That's what I think a vote is, it's-it's choosing someone you think can fill a position and represent you as a, whether it be community, state, as a nation.

Tuhy04-- Well, it's our civil right to do it, you know. I mean, a lot of people died to give us our right so we can fight. They fought for this right. So, you know we should at least be considerate and, uh, vote, just because of that. A lot of [unclear] countries would love to vote, you know. And, I mean, it gives me power.

Tuhy04-- Giving your say.

SRT-- Ok.

Tuhy04-- I guess, umm, you know. You can kinda pick what laws will be passed, or not so much that. The people who will choose the laws that will be passed, you now, they're representing you, so you can vote for who you think would represent you the best.

Tuhy05-- Yeah, exactly, so government is not, it's just there, according to my point of view because I don't have an active participation in our government, like, as a country. As a country I'm not actively involved in anything we do as a person.

SRT-ok

Tuhy05&emdash;Do you know what I mean? Like government, when you say the government of the United States it's kind of far removed from the individual . . . um

MLK1: Well, I think it's really important to vote in November because it's a very important election, the balance of power in the senate and the house can be switched around, they control who gets appointed to the supreme court, and general passing of policies. I don't really like our president so this election is very important to control him from what he's doing, and it's important to vote because you should have a say in what goes on in the government, and I want liberal people and democrats to be elected to office.

MLK1: Um, The last presidential election proved that the vote can mean a lot because elections can be very close, so just a hand full of votes can make a difference in whether or not a candidate gets elected. Sometimes it seems like candidates don't listen to the electorate but I think it does make a difference.

Mlk3: Yes. I voted because I knew that it would be really close, and I didn't want the republican to win and they did even though they didn't in Iowa. They still did by four house representatives.

MLK3: Um, well I think part of it is a cycle the politicians don't pay attention to us because we don't vote and then some college students don't pay attention to the government because they don't pay attention to us and it keeps going around. Um, but then I think part of it is that other, like, students who don't vote don't pay attention because they just don't care. Like in a lot of the ads a lot of what was talked about was Health Care or other things for the state of Iowa and it doesn't affect them right now so they don't care who wins the election because their not talking about tuition hikes, or removal of bars or…

MLK4: It's the first time I really made time to do it.

MLK4: My vote in like broad society doesn't mean extreme amount cause one person one vote, that whole thing that's been going on since people have been allowed to vote. Personally my vote matters a lot more to me than to people in general. With the whole political climate as it is now, it's very important that people who actually do speak up and actually do exercise their right to vote and actually take pride in what they are doing in participation. The most important aspect of it is to exercise your right to vote.

MLK5: Um, I voted for a variety of reasons. One of which is that I was raised that that's what you do, you always vote because if you don't vote then you're not taking an active role, um, in your government at all. So, it kinda seems ridiculous to me that you would expect the government to look out for you when you're not having any say in who is there. Um, but also there are a lot of candidates who I felt very strongly, um about. Like I either felt very strongly in support of them or felt very strongly that they should never be in public office whatsoever (giggles). So I felt that it was very important for me to vote just so that I could have more of a say in who, who specifically was going to be in office.

MLK5: I think it's really important just because um that's all the voting process is is a group of people standing up for what they believe in and saying, you know, this is what I support or going out there and trying to convince other people that their way of thinking is better for the country as a whole. Like going out and doing events like going to fundraisers, um door knocking which is a really good way of personally getting your information out, doing phone calls on election night saying you know have you voted yet those sorts of things. So yeah I feel like my vote is important because everyone's vote is important. And it seems ridiculous to me that we would only let um, the people who are already in the majority that those are the only people that seem to be voted. So I think it's even more important that I as a womyn and as a liberal womyn vote just to make myself heard I suppose.

K M Z 3 : [ l o n g p a u s e ] T h a t I g e t t o a t l e a s t p u t i n m y t w o cents .

K M Z 3 : [ l o n g p a u s e ] V o t e m e a n s p i c k i n g t h e r i g h t g u y o r w o m a n [ y k ] , I g u e s s [ y k , l i t t l e p a u s e , j u m b l e d w o r d s ] , f o r a w h i l e w h e n I d i d n t v o t e I j u s t c o m p l a i n e d a b o u t w h o w o n - n - t h a t .

K A T I E : H o w . . . W h e n d i d n t y o u v o t e ? L i k e h o w l o n g d i d i t t a k e y o u b e f o r e y o u v o t e d ?

K M Z 3 : [ o h h . . . ] B y t h e t i m e I w a s o f a g e i t t o o k m e p r o b a b l y r i g h t a b o u t f i v e y e a r s I d s a y .

K M Z 3 : [ l o n g p a u s e , o h h . . . ] I g u e s s I f i n a l l y g o t . . . I w a s g i v e n a h a r d t i m e b y a n o l d e r g u y b e c a u s e I d i d n t v o t e .

K M Z 4: [ l o n g p a u s e ] I t s . . . I t s y o u r v o i c e i n t h e g o v e r n m e n t . I t s a s m a l l v o i c e , b u t y o u h a v e a v o i c e . . . a t l e a s t a s a y a n d i t s y o u r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o d o i t .

K M Z 5 : T o e x e r c i s e m y r i g h t a s . . . u n d . . . I f I e x e r c i s e m y r i g h t I h a v e t h e r i g h t t o c o m p l a i n p e o p l e t h a t d o n 't v o t e d o n't h a v e t h e r i g h t t o c o m p l a i n .

SAG1: I just want to vote because I want, um, other people, maybe, to have it a little bit easier on them then, maybe, I have had and some of the other, you know, people I know, and maybe they'll have more people wanting to go to college than some of us that can't afford it and that's why they don't go because first hand that's what happened for me. You know, right out of high school I didn't, you know, have the money or whatnot to do it and I had to wait a few years before I could even go because it's too much of a burden.

SAG2: 'Cuz I just found out I'm registered and that's very exciting, 'cuz I thought I wasn't but I am. But, um, yes, um, because I would like to see Democrats regain control of the House and Senate, and, um, hopefully I can help a little bit with that. But I don't know, um, yeah, just, uh yeah, generally think it's a good idea.

SAG2: (pauses and laughs) Um…Well, it's…uh…your way of representing yourself in your democr-democratic government. Um…so in order to make your voice heard you have to vote for somebody that has your, like ideals. But that doesn't always work. (laughs) Yeah, it's just, um, a way of letting or making your beliefs and opinions and other stuff about how laws should be made and be represented…yeah, ok.

ALR3: Um I just don't want to be a person that's complaining, and you know, I didn't have a voice, so I don't think I have a place to complain, and I complain a lot so I really want to be able to have a background.

ALR3: Well its important cause you know you gotta have the right officials in the office and ah, you know you gotta who you think will do the best job there, ya know, supposedly by being an American citizen you can have a smart answer, smart vote on who you want their.

ALR3: Well, I, as recent presidential races have proven I think yes, but an in other words er I don't know, I have some friends that, one was going to vote for Gore and one was going to vote for Bush and they figure they cancelled each other out and that's kind of a rationale that a lot of people have and a complacency that people have, ya know, that they just don't think it matters, and they don't think it matters cause it seems like no one cares so their just not going to vote, they don't think their actual vote matters

ALR3: No, to a certain extent yes, to a certain extend no, I you know you have to stand up and say, this is what I voted for and this is what I did, and then you have no reason to, you have no stance to complain, you know

LMW1: So, and I don't feel that voting in my home state would be proper since I don't live there right now and I haven't lived there for four years. I think it's selfish to vote for things that don't affect you directly.

LMW1: Well, it's a constitutional right that many people in other countries don't have and I think that uh, our country is the greatest democracy and that we should all take example and vote, and continue to vote because if you don't vote then you'll have elite parties emerging and our democracy will be in jeopardy.

LMW1: I think it is, it's a right and a privilege. I think it's a right as a human being to have a say in whose controlling you, in a way. Not that we're controlled, but in a sense we are controlled. And I think that it is a privilege because many, many places don't have that right, you're not allowed to speak, you're not allowed to say anything. Especially as a woman I think it is a wonderful privilege and a right to vote. I think that everyone should have the opportunity to be heard because that's how ideas get out there, and that's how thoughts get going and people get thinking, on different issues.

SEL2: Well, um, it's not really an issue. I think a lot of people deny voting because they feel a lack of locus of control. They don't feel that their vote means anything in this particular system. I vote as a function of, ah, having my opinion heard no matter how infinitesimal. Ah, I think that, ah, voting is very necessary, and if you, ah, defuse that responsibility to all your peers it will never happen.

SEL2: Um, let's see. I think the fact that there's this artificial dichotomy created between Democrats and Republicans where in it's a widely held belief that you are throwing your vote away by voting on an independent or third party candidate, and that sort of thing.

SEL2: Um, in the state elections I feel, um, that my vote works more as a declaration of my distaste for the way in which things are currently being run. I don't see my vote as changing anything or revolutionizing anything. I don't' feel that I'm voting for a candidate that I feel is better, but I feel, but by voting and by not voting for either candidate. Voting for an independent or choosing to…

SEL2: I took AP government, ah, I mean, matters of government and matters of politics be they geopolitical or domestic issues have always fascinated me by the way in which things fit together. My father works for the government, and, um, many of my family members are veterans and um, consequently, they become a very large issue even, prior to me joining the Army or becoming more involved, um, I believe that the one thing, no matter how bad it gets in this country.

****SEL2: Um, particularly among folks such as ourselves, um, but, I guess, I am one of the attitude that my vote is a personal victory for myself which is [inaudible], but it's a personal victory. It's a personal declaration, though somebody who merely tabulates them might be the only person who ever reads it.

SEL5: Why do I vote? Um, to hopefully get the best person in office, and if I don't vote then I have no reason to complain about what's going on with the political situation.

JAB2: Because I feel that its very important to have a say in who your leaders are in society. I think that you should have a say who you want in there and that you should… I think a lot of people aren't aware of how much politics really influences our lives, how they create and make laws, make a lot of decisions that affect us, a lot of people are ignorant of.

R: Kind of a responsibility to vote, so what does that vote mean exactly?

JAB2: That you're supporting that candidate that's who you would like to see in the position that they are running for.

AMW1: I think everybody should vote. Um..I don't know, I just think that given we're a democracy that we have the power with our voting, to...ya know... elect our leaders ourselves, unlike...ya know... many other countries throughout the world. And ya know I don't know if I could give you like a cotton candy intreprtation of why I think its right, I just think its right because we have the power to do so, and ya know the power to change things that we don't like within our governement. I just think we should take advantage of it, basically.

AMW1: Um, to be honest I don;t know, I just think probably just ah...it kind of developed inside of me, I don;t know it just um...I don;t think taht anybody had a profound effect on why I do it, so I just think it came from me, just like I said I think it's the right think to do, I think we should take advatage of the oppurtumity that we have and basically, I mean, that is the only reason. Nobody's really, ya know, I've haerd, hear people talking about how you should vote and stuff, but nobody's really taken me aside and just discussed the importance with me.

AMW1: That's an interesting question. Um...I don't know. I just think I felt, that um, I guess when I vote, that I've done my duty for my country cause I feel that it is a privilege to live here. It the greatest country in the world and, ya know, I feel that's one of our duties by living here. Um, I don't know what it means to the rest of the country, I think every vote's probably important. Especially with declining voting numbers, ya know the past many elections. So, I really can't give you a straight answer about what that means; I just know what it means to me. That I'm doing my duty to this country.

IRCh: Because I feel like, well, especially after the presidential races last year with Bush and Gore, you can see exactly how close elections can be.

I: Um-hm.

C: I believe that my vote really does count and so if I'm going to complain about government, I don't have the right to complain unless I participate.

IR Ch: It's my voice. I mean, we can go out and protest and go outside and yell and people can shut the e windows and the doors. They can do stuff to not hear you. When you can actually vote and personally make a difference, some people don't think it makes a difference, but when it comes down to it, it really does. Because the less people that actually vote the less informed we are. If more people stop voting, it's just going to take away our voice. I guess, to me people who don't vote and then complain about how the government is run, that's a crock. Because you had the ability to say what you think. Then again, I didn't like Bush or Gore, I felt like I was picking between the lesser of the two evils. But it's your ability to say. It's the only voice you do have

Marie: Why did you vote?

MEH4: Uh, because I thought it was important to vote.

MEH4: Um, so I can have a little say in who gets picked to make the decisions for me in the government.

Marie: Um, do you think that your vote matters?

MEH4: Uh, No. Not really.

Marie: What do you think a vote means?

MEH4: Um, well, I don't know. It's supposed to mean that you have somewhat of a say in the government, but I don't know. I don't know if it really works like that.

MEH5: I'd like to think that it matters. I don't know necessarily if my one vote will influence anybody, but I like to think that by expressing my views and feelings it might help to influence other people who would in turn vote and express their views.

Marie: What do you think that a vote means?

MEH5: It expresses the way I feel personally and how my feelings are. Um . . .

Marie: Um, okay well thank you for your time. Did you have anything else to add at all?

MEH5: Um, I don't think so. I'd just like to emphasize that it is real important to me to vote and stuff like that, so . . .

MEH1: I think it's very important that people, especially the college age, get involved not many people do that so I think it's very important that we take action and get involved.

….

Marie: Do you think that your vote matters?

MEH1: No, not really.

IRJ: Um, because I feel that my vote matters and that democracy only works if people participate, and I like to feel that I'm participating and that I can use my political voice, even if it's only just to vote.

I: Okay. So did you, you voted two days ago. Did you vote for all the races?

J: Um, no. I didn't vote for much of the Iowa legislature, since I didn't know very much about the candidates, I hadn't heard anything about them, really. I usually try to be an informed voter and just vote on the things I know about.

IR G: Because even though I'm just one voice, if someone is elected and I feel they're doing a bad job, I can look at myself and be like I either voted for them or I didn't. I can't blame it on anyone else.

IR G: My dad has voted up to this year, but now he's talking about not voting. As for me, I vote because it's a freedom and a right.

IR Ci: Because I guess I feel that I have a say in what goes on. And if for some reason, something doesn't get voted on, say that I didn't vote and something didn't get passed, I could've helped in getting it passed. I would have no room to sit there and complain about anything. I just sat there idle. Might as well do what you can.

IRCi C: Um, I'd say I'm active because I vote

IRCi C: I think it means me doing my part, getting my say in. Getting my voice out there. It's just one vote; one vote can mean a lot because it can get something passed or it can get something denied or revoked.

AMW4: I don't know, I guess I feel it's like my civic responsibility as a citizen and I don't think you really have a right to complain about stuff the government does if you don't do your job. If you don't vote.

INTERVIEWER: Um-hum. Ok, so then what do you think the, a vote means?

AMW4: Just one vote in itself?

INTERVIEWER: Yeah.

AMW4: Not a whole lot, but we all need to-ah-do it together, because the less votes you have, if every person that doesn't vote gives more power to he people who do vote.

INTERVIEWER: Ok. So then what do you think of, ya know, as a vote, in-in the whole scheme of things? I mean, what does that mean to you. I know that you said it gives power to those who do vote, but I mean is there some broad sense of this...a vote means to you?

AMW4: Not a whole lot really. I just feel like it's something you should do, I mean...

INTERVIEWER: Right.

AMW4: Um, it's just our duty to do that thing.

INTERVIEWER: Right.

AMW4: I don't know how much. I really don't think that my vote makes a difference, especially if you vote for a third party candidate.

NO

LMW5: It's just one extra person voting.

LW: One extra person?

LMW5: One extra person voting and I guess that whoever I vote for it's ah, one more, one more chance of them getting elected. And getting with, agreeing that I think there, they would be good.

ALR1: I'm always . . .I think . . I am too busy, like I have been in class, or I haven't been (um) like when I was registered to vote I was registered back home so I didn't make it back home to vote and when got I got registered up here I was back home so it was just conflict but I have, I mean, I have stood on very firm political sides so . .

ALR1: Umm, I don't really understand how the votes work, personally, its like, my vote will it really make a difference? But I think if I get to the ballots and actually do it I feel like I will have made some sort of difference even if it doesn't really matter.

ALR2: Umm, I didn't vote base on the fact that I didn't feel that both candidates were worth my vote, um, I feel that if I'm gonna vote, I'm gonna make sure that it's, that it's worth my going and voting and if it's not I am not going to take the time to go.

ALR2: Um. . .I think every American should vote, unless like I said, the candidates aren't worth their vote, I think, ah, voting is something that um, I guess it's, it's something that, it's our duty to vote you know the people that go into the military and, and they do that for our country but I think voting is something that everyone should do.

ALR2: Um, I guess, I guess my vote, me going, like, er, voting, I don't, like that really doesn't have a lot of say. But yet it's important. A single vote itself doesn't decide an outcome in an election, yet it's still an extremely important thing you gotta do.

JAB1: For one I guess kind of the fact that I don't see how my vote gonna count and I'm not that informed. I don't like just listening to commercial would not be good enough they all put a spin on what you want, or, what they want you to hear so I don't think I have enough information to make an informed decision. Which wouldn't help the state by any means, so?

SEL3: Um. Yes and no. They say that your vote counts, but at the same time the electoral college, which seems to be this fictitious group that nobody understands, decides makes the final decision on who, who gets put into office and stuff. That's the way that I was led to understand it in American Civ class, and it kinda seems to be defeating. I mean, so many people could vote for this person, but if the electoral college doesn't ok it than the person's out.

SEL3: Voting has never really meant anything to me.

JAB1: See I don't know, I mean, do you know what I mean? Like I don't, that's why I don't vote because I don't really see what it means to do it I mean…I guess you know it's a way to, ahh, I don't know…

JAB1: I really don't, I really honestly do not. I mean like I think should you know and that's why you should vote but I just don't see how my, how my vote really effects anything. You know but every vote counts blah blah blah I've heard it all before (laughing) but…

JAB1: Well, because I'd see the immediate result of what I do, umm, and I don't know, thats one of the things I believe in too is just helping out and I don't know, I kind of feel that maybe like a vote like you've been bought a little bit too, I don't know.

SEL1: No, I don't because, um, I don't feel like my vote actually counts for much. . . . I just, we just don't really have much of a say, and they say, oh yeah, you have your vote, but I don't think it really counts for much.

SEL1: I: Um, to me it's not very important.

S: Uh-huh.

SEL1: But, to me [Inaudible] to me it doesn't count very much.

S: Did you consider absentee at all, or did anyone mention that to you, or not.

SEL1 Um, they did. It was a lot of work to do it, you know.

S: Yeah.

SEL1: Yeah. Just too much work. . . . It's just such a hassle, and I'm registered in a different district then I live in. It's just a very big hassle, to try and vote, and when I don't live in that district. I don't really know what's going on. If I go home to vote for something local, I don't live there, so it doesn't really affect me.

JAB5: Umm, personally I don't like politicians, and so I'm really not motivated to vote for anybody b/c I think most of them are fake and don't necessarily tell the truth and I don't really go for all that bureatic stuff, you know that…

JAB5: A vote I personally think is like casting your, your values and what you hold important and if you vote for something which you don't agree with or believe in then you're not being honest with yourself. Are you talking about my vote or a politicians vote?

JAB5: Well I don't think it makes a difference at all. B/c they're, they're usually so big, like the small guys never get the money or the press or the ads, I think there was out the ad that we saw maybe twice and that was two days before elections.

JAB5: Yeah, they probably, they probably won't get into office but at least I'm voting the way I want to vote. And you know if all the people who don't vote actually did that then the little guy might get somewhere. But, its just that people view it as such a hopeless cause and its not going to do anything or make a difference. But no one votes and its kind like there's so many things that are like that.

ALR4: I don't know if my one vote matters, that much but it's a nice way to have the opportunity to express my feelings or my support for this individual candidate.

AMW3: Because, either I don't have enough time, or I don't know enough about the issue...or the person being elected. So I don't vote. I guess I'm not educated enough.

AMW3: A vote means? What a vote means? I think it's a, it's a choice. It's personal to you, as a person what you want. As an outcome completely. Ok. That's it.

INTERVIEWER: And do think if you voted, that your vote would count?

AMW3: <Sigh> In effect, yes it does. But if, at the time, it seems like everybody else thinks, ya know, "I'm just one vote. It doesn't really matter." But if everybody thinks like that, then that's why I think just it either does happen the way you want it, or not. But, I mean...it's your vote that counts too.

LMW2: Um, because the politicians to me seem kind of scandalous. There is always something corrupt going on. Um, it's just something I don't feel comfortable doing. And my parents don't really, they aren't very active in politics, so I just feel that my vote doesn't matter even though people always say oh your vote counts, your vote counts. But in the grand scheme of things, one person out of many doesn't make that much of a difference.

AMW5: I don't really think it matters at all. I mean there's too many people for me to feel that my one voice is all that significant.

INTERVIEWER: Ok.

AMW5: Which is probably a good reason why I don't bother going because it's not going to make a difference. I'm not going to get what I want, 'cuze usually I want the opposite of what everybody else wants.

INTERVIEWER: Right. Alright. And then as kind of an overall, general ideology...does vote mean anything to you?

AMW5: Um, I think it's a good concept, but... I just really don't think that it can make a difference.

INTERVIEWER: What do you mean, a good concept? Describe concept to me. What is a concept of a vote?

AMW5: Well, like the fact that the people have a say over what, ya know, happens. But I don't know. I feel like a lot of times, like only the higher power people are the ones that have a say in what comes to the voting and stuff. Ya know, they're the ones who get to decide who runs in the first place.

AMW5: No. I still feel the same way. That my one voice isn't going to matter, or make a difference. There's stuff I'd like to see done, but I'm not going to be able to change it. I'd, but there are some things that I do see go on in Congress, especially with things like law enforcement and stuff, that I'd like to see changed. Ya know, a lot of bills I'd like to see passed, and ya know, things I'd like to see changed back to the way they were. But...I don't think it's going to make a difference wether you vote or...

MEH2: Um, laughs nervously, well, I think that it's a very important thing because it helps determine how our state will be run, and, it shouldn't be something that should be taken very lightly. Which is why I choose not to vote because I don't just want to randomly pick people when I know nothing about them so I think that for voting you need to be very educated and that's what I think a vote would mean.

Time:

SAG4: Um, if I have time on Tuesday I'll go to the courthouse and vote, but if I don't have time I'm not real concerned about it, so…

AMW5: Um, generally it's too much time out of my day. Um, but a lot of things I really don't care about.

MEH2: Well, at the time I was going to school at Western Illinois, and, I just didn't bother with the absentee ballot, I was just to busy, and just chose not to. I probably could have driven home the hour and a half but, I just kind of thought it was a pain.

MEH2: No, not really. Because like I said, I was in Illinois, and so I heard about all the Illinois things and I just, I was just to busy to really follow, being a college student, I really don't have a lot of time to watch television or follow politics very much, so . . .

MEH2: Not really, seeing as I don't vote laughs I really don't think it makes much of a difference, and in the long run it probably would, but at this time I just don't feel the need, I just don't bother with voting.

MEH2: I would think that, um, its not that I don't care, its just that I at this time, I don't really feel I have the time.

No vote better than wrong vote:

LMW5: If I had more knowledge, then I definitely would vote. I just, I never know much about politics, or the government, and I have never been a big fan, like when I took it in high school, government and economics, I was never really interested…

SEL3: Um, I don't know. I don't have enough information on the people, and when I try and seek information I don't get the information that I want. I, just basically they beat around the topics that I wanna addressed, and there hasn't really been anyone I've been interested in voting in.

SEL4: Well, you have to be eighteen, but I haven't in the past few years because I haven't felt confident enough, like I've been educated enough, and I don't want to really vote unless I am educated enough to know who is standing for what, and who I really want to vote for, so, um, I guess the answer would be no, but I wanted to this year, but I didn't because I realized at the last minute that, um, that I wasn't registered to vote, and once again I wasn't really up to date with the issues, and I had seen a lot of the stuff on t.v. . . . . Like before I said I didn't wanna vote because I feel, don't feel educated enough, and I don't wanna vote unless I know what I'm voting for, so.

SAG5: Because I…guess I don't really know, I haven't really been educated on the whole thing so I don't know much about the whole politics and about, like, really the major differences between like Democratic, Republicans, and such like that. So, it just kind of…I haven't voted because I'm not too familiar with any of the issues and the actual candidates.

SAG4: I guess…I don't see there being a whole lot of races right now that I'm too worried about so…I haven't really looked at a whole lot of the candidates, the news or anything so if I did vote I'm not sure that it would be the most informed decision.

(yes voter) AMW1: No I've gotta be honest I haven't. And simply because I don't, I should...I mean, ya know, I admit that. But I don't think I'm informed enough, I haven't been informed enough, I haven't understood any of these other things. I haven't throughly dug into them enough to truly understand them enough where I thought I could make a correct choice with my vote.

Sometimes voters

AR: Okay, um, do you think voting is important?

ALR5: Yes I do.

AR: Why is that?

ALR5: Ah, because people can actually make changes if they're educated enough and go out and vote.

ALR5: In some cases yeah, I mean, I don't think that its necessarily fair, because its all, ah, my vote, personally, will, I have a feeling that it will make a difference, like, when I go and actually vote then yes I say, "Ah man, I feel better, I made a contribution", you know, but in the grand scheme of things no, it doesn't really matter, because the electoral college has everything to do with it, and, I don't know . . .

SG: Ok. Do you think that…when you vote, do you think you can make a difference?

SAG3: Yeah.

SG: How?

SAG3: Especially with Florida. I mean, there was that whole issue with number of votes, so yeah, I think one person can make a difference.

MEH3: Um, I don't know why I'm going to vote. . I just want a say I guess in a presidential vote.

MLK2 Respondent: Um, I'm lazy. It's a little inconvenient for me. And there a chance I'd fill it out wrong or just… It's not a good time for me this time of year it's very hectic

MLK2 Respondent: Um, honestly, I think, I think it probably mean very little. Um, much of the things that I am particularly concerned about are not things politicians focus on. Um.

K M Z 1 : I t m a t t e r s t o a c e r t a i n e x t e n t . I k n o w t h a t m y v o t e d o e s n ' t m a t t e r a n y w a y b e c a u s e t h e g o o d o l d E l e c t o r a l C o l l e g e t a k e s c a r e o f t h a t b u s i n e s s , c a u s e [ u n t r a n s c r i b a b l e ] , y o u w a n t t o k n o w m y l i t t l e p e r s o n a l t h i n g o n v o t i n g ? I s t h a t i s s u c k s , i t d o e s n t m a t t e r , c a u s e A m e r i c a n v o i c e d o e s n t m a t t e r i n a n y k i n d o f a p r e s i d e n t i a l e l e c t i o n c a u s e t h e e l e c t o r a l c o l l e g e d o e s n o t r e a l l y p a y a t t e n t i o n t o t h a t , t h e y v o t e f o r w h o t h e y w a n t a n d f o r w h o [ u n t r a n s c r i b a b l e ] y o u m i g h t t h i n k t h e m a j o r i t y c o u n t s o r w h a t e v e r , b u t i t s t i l l d o e s n t m a t t e r . S o N o v o t i n g f o r p r e s i d e n t r e a l l y d i d n t m a t t e r .

K M Z 1 : I . . I d o n't h o n e s t l y k n o w . b e c a u s e l i k e , I'v e b e e n b r o u g h t u p i n a f a m i l y w h e r e p o l i t i c s w a s n e v e r a b i g d e a l , s o t h e r e f o r e I n e v e r f o c u s e d o n i t . Y a I h a d m y o p i n i o n o n i t , I w i s h , I d i s a g r e e w i t h t h i n g s , b u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e I a l m o s t d o n 't h a v e a r i g h t t o d i s a g r e e , o r h a v e m y o w n o p i n i o n s o n t h i n g s b e c a u s e I d o n' t p a y a t t e n t i o n t o i t e n o u g h . I d o n t t h i n k t h e r e c o u l d p o s s i b l y b e a n y t h i n g t h a t w o u l d b e l i k e t h a t s i g n i f i c a n t o f a c h a n g e t h a t w o u l d a c t u a l l y g e t m y a t t i t u d e m o r e f o c u s e d t o w a r d s p o l i t i c s w h e r e y o u 'd b e l i k e , y e s p o l i t i c s , I'm g o i n g t o d i s c u s t h i s a n d a c t u a l l y t h i n k a b o u t i t . I'm a l w a y s g o i n g t o b e o n e o f t h o s e p e o p l e t h a t h a s a n o p i n i o n a b o u t , b u t a l s o d o n t h a v e a r i g h t t o y o u k n o w a r g u e i t l i k e I j u s t d i d .

JAB3: Why do I vote, umm, just b/c umm basically there's people that ahh there's people that have issues, er they umm, they support issues and umm basically I'm for those issues too and like I kind of see eye to eye with them and so, not on every issue, but on, like you know, a good portion of them. So I follow those people, as political leaders hopefully they will get things accomplished.

JAB3: Umm, I think, I think a vote does count. It umm, I don't know, like, the electoral process is still kind of confusing, I don't (chuckling)…

JAB3: I think its very important just b/c, uhh, I mean like in certain elections that we've seen in the past that one, you know, a few votes here and there can really effect an election.

JAB3: Umm, well ahh, basically kind of, basically its like ahh, kind of put ahh automatic, not an automatic trust, but a, kind of a hope in that person. Like if you see that they seem really adamant about issues that you kind of put a hope in them, that they will actually implement some stuff that they say they will. Just b/c you hope that they do make a difference. So…

JAB4: Well, why I vote is b/c every vote counts and, I mean, I know that its just one little vote in the mass of many but if I don't than who will? And the reason why I didn't vote on the 5th was, ahh, b/c I just kind of spaced it off (laughs).

JAB4: Umm, I think that, umm, it takes a lot of votes and I think if everybody were voting then it would be, it would be run they way it should be run; but I don't think enough people vote.

JAB4: Right. Its like, its, it's the best we've got and its one of our, its basically our only option at this point, other than protesting and stuff like that but as far as being heard its really the best thing that, that we have to use.

IR T: I don't really know anything about the candidates at all and I don't think it's right to just vote blindly, so I won't vote.

IR T: I don't know. It's supposed to like, you're supposed to feel really important, but I don't know if I really feel that important about voting. Everyone says you are only one person, you only have one vote. But depending who's being influenced and everything, you don't know how important that one vote is going to be. Everyone said, ah, that Ralph Nader, in the 2000 election, "if he had a chance, I'd vote for Nader." If everyone got together and said that, then Ralph Nader actually could have won. Well the general consensus was it's just one vote, he's not going to anyway. So I guess one vote does have a lot of power if everyone could get together and agree on that. Everybody kind of feels alienated, like they're the only person that believes that one thing.

AMW2: Well...sometimes...I don't think it really matters what...Like you know they say the majority rules.

INTERVIEWER: Um-hum.

AMW2: But in my opinion, I don't think it really matters. Because like even like with Gore, I think Gore had more votes in his election, but Bush won because of ...I can't remember. I mean...

Wrong vote

ALR5: Ah, because I didn't feel that I was confidant and knowing all the views of all the candidates so I couldn't make a proper decision.

ALR5: Well, its not necessarily my lack of interest, but also my lack of education for the political views of our country or of anyone, ah, I'm educated enough, nor do I have the time due to the fact that I am a full time college student to go out there and get educated and take this extra, you know, the only thing I care about is tuition hikes, the things dealing with what I have to, things that surround my personal life.

IR T: Regardless of whether they're greed or interested in themselves or not, they're still going to be put into a position of power. Information is basically why I'm not voting this term.

AMW2: Cause I have no background on the information.

Time

SAG3: Because I live out of state and it's, um, more of a pain in the, pain in the butt to do absentee ballot, but when I find a permanent location then I will register.