According to the Constitution of the United States

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   Ohmaposted 14 years ago

   All members of our governing body must be elected right? So what would happen if we simply did not vote for anyone? I mean come election day everyone across the nation just stayed home and didn't vote.
   
   Politics and the political forums is not a place I hang out often. I honestly do not know the answer. I do know that it is not something that is every likely to happen. I just want to know what would happen if it did.

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      Deborah Sextonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The Electors would put them in office.

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      livewithrichardposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I would imagine that if everyone stayed home and did not vote, the candidates themselves would vote and probably for their entire party ticket thereby casting many votes.
      
      Now if, as Doug suggested, a meteor hit or some other destructive force removed our elected federal government, there would be a state of anarchy until a government was replaced. A country of 300 million cannot function without a government. And no state government could usurp the role of the federal government.  There was a tv show on not too long ago that sort of covered this. It was called Jericho.

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      commisionerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      it would come down to the politicians voting for themselves. the ones with the most friends, wins. and then it would be as a monarchy. we the people would be subservient to the politicians. freedom would go away. you would be told where to work, shop, and how many children you could have. schools would stop teaching the truth and only teach our children what they want them to learn.
      kind of like the U.s. history books being changed to only include lessons starting in 1877. that has already been proposed in north carolina and may spread nation wide.
      looks like too many of us stayed home last election. we need to get out and VOTE.

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      Jeff Berndtposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The people who actually did vote would pick the victor. All you need to win an election is a majority of votes cast, not a majority of the total population.

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      Evan G Rogersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      currently, this would be a problem
      
      But originally it would NOT be a problem - the original constitution states that the members of the senate and house were appointed by the state legislators. So, since we already have state legislators, even if NO one voted for anyone, senators and representatives would still be appointed.
      
      Nowadays, i suppose we'd just keep who was already in there.

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   Hauntyposted 14 years ago

   There would be another election held at a later date.

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   Doug Hughesposted 14 years ago

   oooooh and gee, what if a giant meteor hit the planet.. or a giant tarantula came out of the sewers in New York...
   
   The question is bogus, since in a country of 300 million people, voter ARE going ot support their ideas. A more relevant question would be - what if ALL people of legal age DID vote - the fact that so many voters don't believe in the system enough to participate is perplexing, not.... what if we got participation to zero.

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      Ohmaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I would rather if you feel the need to be rude to someone you go find someone that will play your silly game. I will not.
      I asked this question for a reason and since you have chosen to ignore the entire content of my OP I would respectfully request that you go annoy someone else.

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         Doug Hughesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Excuse me - since the premise of the question is improbable bordering on impossible, I thought we were having a contest to see who could come up with the  more preposterous notion.
         
         If there's a serious 'content' to the OP, I'm not the only person who can't discern it. (See Will Apse).
         
         So, seriously, IS there some meaning to the question? Because there are other formus other than Politics & Social Issues that address fantasy writing.

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            We Conservativesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            "Excuse me" I don't think I will there are no excuses for being rude to a lady. Maybe you should try your hand at squidoo

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               Doug Hughesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I guess your definition of 'rude' is saying something that's not conservative enough.

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                  We Conservativesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  My definition of rude would be how you have conducted yourself throughout this thread. My guess is you are a sock puppet of one of many long gone Hubbers who have a hard time staying gone. Your writing suggests a couple of female Hubbers who just were too bright for the rest of us.

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                     Doug Hughesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     I have a couple of length hubs which identify my persona and gender. If you are suggesting in a spriritual way that I am in touch with my 'female' side, then thank you for the unexpected complement, but really - I'm a father and grandfather.
                     
                     Being liberal and brighter than conservatives is something we can't help.

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                        We Conservativesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        You identify your persona and gender, sure you do, which one are you? There was the one who claimed to have published many books or actually pamphlets, she was a hoot! Then the real pretty one from Michigan, so, which are you?

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                           atilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           You might as well choose one for yourself she will constantly deny who she is.

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                        Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        I would beg to differ on that, considering you have trouble spelling in the first place. It's absurd for one to think that they are better than someone else, especially when one cannot use the proper words in a sentence structure.
                        
                        Before you ride off on your high horse, I suggest you look in the mirror, and re-evaluate your ego. Why? Because, you've stepped over the line where ego meets ignorance.
                        
                        Just a thought.

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                        Madame Xposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Or being ruder and more arrogant

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                        sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Are you a woman? Because if you are your picture isn't that flattering.

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                           sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           Still checking?

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      We Conservativesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Who is this guy/lady? oooooooh? Manners, do they teach them where you're from or is it acceptable to be such a _________?

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      Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This foolish statement wasn't required or needed to be said. OHMA has a right to post a forum thread on any question she so chooses.
      
      Should you not have an answer, then simply say that.
      
      Hey Doug, let's see how smart you think you are...OUT of 300 Million people...
      
      How many are ACTUAL voters? Do you know or you going to lie?
      
      How many HOMELESS don't get to vote? Do you know?
      
      How many of the 300 Million actually make to the polls during an election?
      
      Here goes a prime example of the ignorant side of society, trying to make people believe the whole spin/misconception of their right to vote.
      
      You have to love being in America, I swear.
      
      You as a citizen- IF FOR SOME REASON you cannot "BACK" or "SUPPORT" any of the candidate, then what good is your F*cking vote, when other candidates don't have your full confidence.
      
      So, you are to pick the lessor of two evils and HOPE the job gets done right? How F*cking insane is that?
      
      What would happen if no one vote? Would the politicians already in place, stay in place? Or Would there be a change to voting system/election system?
      
      Let's keep it real people. Please. You want the power of being a vote, then do the responsible thing with your vote, providing you CANNOT back a candidate. Voting of the less of two evils has gotten America where is now?
      
      Seriously, think about it! I'm done.

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   Ohmaposted 14 years ago

   But what in the mean time?
   Those curently serving would have to vacate because they had not been re-elected and no new ones coming in because none where voted for.

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   Will Apseposted 14 years ago

   I'm sure you have a reason for asking your question, Ohma but if you made that reason clearer, it would be easier to respond.
   
   p.s. who was the person who said if voting changed anything they wouldn't allow it?

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   Hauntyposted 14 years ago

   I'm not a resident of the US, but if participation is not high enough in my country, the election is unsuccessful. The government stays in office until there is a successful election.
   
   If there were no government at all the UN would probably consider the US a non-self-governing territory. Does that make it open for the taking? I don't know.

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   habeeposted 14 years ago

   What about free speech? Isn't Ohma allowed to post anything she wants, as long as it doesn't violate HP rules? No one is forced to respond.

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      Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      How do you know he is not being forced?

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         We Conservativesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         What makes you think he is a he?

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            Doug Hughesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I never suggested that Ohma should post whatever she likes. There's no bigger fan of free speech on tis forum than I am. She should post! And I can respond.  This is a public forum.
            
            The internet provides private forums. These are called blogs. If Ohma wants to control or prohibit my response, she can - on her own blog. On a public forum, I can respond as I feel as long as I don't violate the terms of the host.  I have free speech rights, too.
            
            My wife thinks it's funny you think I'm a she. My picture is posted on my profile. (and it aint pretty) Where's yours?

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               Doug Hughesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Correction - first sentence of last to read: "I never suggested Ohma shouldn't post whatever she likes." My bad.

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                  commisionerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  hey guys, stop. doug has a right to think and say as he pleases, as does ohma. and a legitimate question was asked.
                  if doug thinks liberals are smarter than conservatives, let him think so.we conservatives think the opposite and i also believe he/they should have that right.
                  if facts were to be brought into the topic, then doug loses. conservative values always win and big government only takes freedom  away. time and again in history it has happened. capitalism works and socialism does not.
                  only when the government changes the history books will it look like socialism and liberalism works.
                  they are already doing that in north carolina.

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               We Conservativesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               <no personal attacks in the Forums>

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   Rafiniposted 14 years ago

   I think the answer would be different depending on what office we are talking about.
   
   President - I would think a new election would be scheduled as soon as possible IF the current president had already had his two terms in office, otherwise I think he would stay (because he obviously hadn't been voted out!)
   
   Congress - I think would depend on whether or not the incumbant was involved in the failed election.  Say yes, I think he would stay - because he obviously wasn't voted out.  Say no, I have heard  Governors have the authority to appoint state reps in certain situations (think Illinois when Obama was elected) so I would think this would be the case here.
   
   This is an interesting question which reminds me of something I heard when I was young:  Bugs Bunny earned 3% of the nationwide vote for President!  Or was it Mickey Mouse?  Or Roadrunner?  I think all three had earned enough votes to be calculated!  lol

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   atilposted 14 years ago

   Its strange you seem to have a direct line to administration, wonder which employee you are?

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    Ohma I'm sorry that your hub is being over run by a newbie who doesn't know how to contain his rudness.

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    Jason Menayanposted 14 years ago

    I'm the admin, and there were no reports I responded to. I'm preparing for the day's contest activities and stumbled onto this thread where personal attacks were made.
    
    Users should refrain from ad hominem attacks or you will be banned from the Forums.

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    Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years ago

    It's actually an interesting (though maybe too broadly posed) question.  Maybe people can put the mud down for a minute and offer their knowledge related to the subject.
    
    In the case of the president, he isn't directly elected by the people anyway, but by the appointed electors of each state. I believe a president could be elected even if everyone stayed home from the polls.

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    Madame Xposted 14 years ago

    By whom?

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       livewithrichardposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       By the electors of each state and the District of Columbia, collectively the electoral college. Electors are chosen in each state by the party leadership and then pledge to cast their vote for their party if they when the popular vote for that state.
       
       Good point Ron.  Also, since there are no term limits set for congress members no votes would mean they just remain in office. It would take a cataclysmic event to completely remove our federal government.

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          Madame Xposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          "if they win the popular vote"
          
          So if no one votes, there will be no popular vote and the electors will have no way of knowing how to vote.

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             livewithrichardposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Therein lies the rub.  The cataclysmic event I mentioned above is the only way nobody would vote. I mean, 10 people on this thread alone cannot come to an agreement so how could all the legal aged voters agree not to vote?
             
             In the absence of a cataclysmic event, I'm sure we can agree that the only ones who will definitely vote are the ones still in office and the ones running for office and the anarchists that will mail in their absentee votes. In this event, electors will be selected by a winning party and the electors are not obligated to vote for their party though they do make a pledge to do so. In any case the electors will cast their votes sometime in December, I think, and it's the electors that will choose our president and vice-president. All other offices will be chosen by the candidates themselves.

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             Mikel G Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             actually, there are no laws that state the Electoral College must vote in any particular way. The popular vote is only taken as a suggestion. The peoples vote is just something that makes us feel like we have a say in the matter anyway.
             
             {taken from one of my hubs:  ....we all know that the people that pay the politicians are the people that own the politicians, the Huge Corporations are the ones pulling the strings of the puppet politicians. Good people that would support the middle class are not allowed to even run for office. Without 'support' from MAJOR FINANCIAL contributions, that originate in Huge Corporate board rooms, no one gets elected in this country.
             
             Until a candidate is approved by Big Business, they will not receive the necessary funds to run for office. Call the gathering of the necessary funds the true election, because that is what it really is. Anyone that doesn't get the 'finacial vote' first can't run for office.
             
             Which means we get to choose any candidate we want... right after the rich and powerful companies have decided who they will allow to run for office, and compete for our secondary votes.}

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    Cagsilposted 14 years ago

    The problem with Capitalism is that there isn't enough people capitalizing on it. There are simply too many people without a clue. The level of ignorance, incompetence and inefficiencies of government has been the main problem.
    
    It makes no rational sense to vote for someone who cannot endorse.
    
    So, I guess the right to vote, the ability to vote and the supposed power behind voting, is just a myth.
    
    There apparently isn't a power of a voter, at all, in any sense of the word, since those who were already elected, would automatically stay in office, should only the elector college seem to be the ones voting.
    
    It proves that the voters vote doesn't matter regardless. So, what's that say to you?
    
    And, people say I'm the one that's crazy? WOW!

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       Ohmaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       First) I apologize for not getting back to this sooner.
       Second) I would like to thank everyone that so gallantly came to my defense in my absence.
       Third) Cagsil has a way with words that I will never have and has said in this post exactly what I was trying to get at.
       We are told that to vote is the only way to bring about change but clearly the voting process is flawed if the votes WE THE PEOPLE are so unimportant to the process of electing our countries leadership.
       Fourth) Doug I do not know if you are a sock puppet and truthfully I do not care. I have done nothing to deserve the condescending and out and out rude behavior that I have gotten from you. I do not care what your beliefs are I do care that your purpose here seems to be to inflate your own extremely sad ego by attempting to belittle others and for that the only thing I feel is sympathy for you.

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    ralwusposted 14 years ago

    The politicians and their family members would do the voting, we the people will still get screwed.

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       wavegirl22posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Ok so from the clit to the constitution. . I will follow you anywhere. . .

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          Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          

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          ralwusposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          OK, it's off to Greece. cum

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