Voting

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Many people are dissatisfied with the current situation. They feel that politics favors rich people; that their lives get harder; that big companies profit from political decisions.

Ballot box with a filled ballot, next to a crossed-out blank ballot, a queue of voters in the background
Voting is better than staying home.

Their reaction: Not voting / voting blank / voting invalid.

This is an awful idea because of the following reasons:

  1. Blank votes and invalid votes are treated just the same way as not voting, although the number might get counted (source).
  2. If you're not voting, the people who vote get more influence with their votes.
  3. This means by not voting, you're effectively voting for the current situation.

What are your alternatives? Get active.

  1. Have a closer look at the parties. On wahl-o-mat.de you can see 22 parties with some elected positions. You don't have to agree 100% for all questions. You only have to find a party which is "good enough".
  2. Speaking to parties and demanding certain positions. I guess all major parties are mainly doing what they think their segment of voters likes. If enough people demand a certain position, they might change.
  3. Make your own party. This is always a possibility. Find other people who think the same way.

Not voting, blank voting and invalid voting is just stupid and lazy. It shows your support of the current situation / the parties which are currently strong.