Why I Didn't Vote (And Six Reasons You Might Not)

In which John discusses the great shame of my life, the six explanations eligible voters most commonly cited for not voting, and the importance of doing the work (and it is work!) to participate in U.S. political life by voting on November 8, 2016.

Look below to find your state:

STATES

OTHER

----

[Eban]

I didn't vote in 2000 either because I didn't care. Regret that. I've voted in every election since.

[joplaysukulelebadly]

I think that in retrospect it is pretty clear that in the election of 2000 you should have voted in Florida.

[NateClay]

It's like you get to vote _where the ship is supposed to go_, but the captain ultimately does whatever he wants with his crew. *Hard pass.*

[incogneat]

If your vote didn't matter, certain politicians wouldn't be working so hard to stop you from doing it.

[DavidBee]

As an outsider, I find it baffling that a country with as large and diverse a populace as America operates under a two party system. If the US were truly the Worlds greatest democracy then there is no way in hell they would be being forced to choose either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump as their leader.

[sccr]

I hate when people say "vote for the Democrat or Republican, third party won't win." They have to earn my vote, I'm not going to vote for them just because they have a better chance.

[LuccianoBartolini]

Here in Venezuela, the opposition decided to not enter into the parliamentary elections of 2005 because they thought that "the election would be rigged" (which, it could have been rigged...), by not entering in the elections (and not voting) they ended giving ALL of the parliament to Hugo Chávez for the next 5 years.


Think about that if you ever decide to think on "not voting".

[phatcartoon]

Sometimes it's hard for people to be informed voters when they live busy lives, and the media and internet are filled with so much misinformation. So I thank you and everyone that help make vlogbrothers. I feel that that the people behind vlogbrothers do a good job producing videos that try to be honest and informative. Thanks!

[Kaylad]

IMO it's totally cool if you want to skip the top of the ballot and not vote for a presidential candidate, but please don't skip voting all together. For example, Colorado will be voting on a single payer healthcare system, aid-in-dying, removal of slavery language and open primaries this November. Each of those are really big deal, and people should make their voices heard.

[emilie]

Thank you for encouraging the Americans to vote!

[EliStettner]

Voting for a third party is better than not voting at all.

[susgra]

If 2016 taught you anything, it is to *always vote*. Always always always. That is all.

[leopard]

John Green is just the man. I hope to be like him one day.

[TenleyNadine]

My struggle with voting has always been understanding the issues enough to make an informed decision. I try to read the candidates policies on their websites, but then always end up cross-referencing that to information about the issue itself (that I otherwise know nothing about). And the information about the various issues typically comes from other news outlets, which are almost always biased in some way -- obviously, everything is biased, but it makes finding definitive answers about the issues really difficult.

So, I guess if there's one question I have -- and one thing I'd like a video on -- it would be an in-depth, simplified, look at all the major issues. Hank did a similar thing with the different tax policies awhile back, and I can't say I understood everything, but it definitely helped a lot.

[melozanob]

As a non-American, I thank you a lot for what you are doing and for encouraging people to vote. It even encourages me to vote when my country's elections come. I think it's really important because my voice and every person's voice does count, even though it is one in millions. Thank you for these amazing and encouraging videos! Really hope they spread the message.

[Ryan]

I love John Green. I was aware of his books but hadn't read them yet. These Youtube videos completely change my impression. Thank you for this channel.

[wizzerd]

if you don't vote you don't have a right to complain

[AvaGraves]

I'm not voting bc I'm a minor put I am pretty sure I am more up to date with politics and new policies than many legal adults

[Roll]

My birthday is Election Day this November. All I want it for people to educate themselves on the issues and to vote with their values. Thank you, Vlogbrothers, for being such empathetic and passionate champions of this cause.

[mariak]

Watching vlogbrothers videos makes me feel so refreshed; they give me hope for the future by showing that people can care about other people and the world and that things can change for the better, and I just wanted to thank you for that.