(12-09-2022 12:22 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 12:11 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 11:56 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Lad, serious question: does voting for a candidate who loses mean one's vote doesn't count?

In the end, yes, since we have a first past the post system.

But, from my perspective, it does count if there is an honest system in place that doesn’t intentionally place a person into a specific box because of who they are likely to vote for. Once you start packing and cracking based on the likelihood of voting for a specific candidate or party, the impact of one’s vote inherently diminishes (in my opinion).

Back when Texas was a Democrat state, I often felt like my vote didn't count. If I were to move to Queens or Chicago or San Fran, I would feel that way again. Might as well vote for Mighty Mouse. After all, like most politicians, he is here to save the day.

Mighty Mouse

Gerrymandering is a system used by either party whenever they can. It is a terrible system, but I know of no better alternative. Apparently nobody else can either.

No one can think of a better alternative? I reject that for a multitude of reasons - mainly that there are other forms of government, there are other forms of vote counting (like ranked choice), and there are other forms of developing voting precincts that aren’t done by obvious partisans.

I think that, in order for a democracy to function, people must feel like the system for electing officials to represent them reflects the will of the people - that it does not excessively favor a specific group over another.

I think your example of living as a red person in a sea of blue, or vice versa, is a different situation all together. But that issue you bring up is one reason I don’t like first past the post voting.