Posted by
Playful Walrus on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 3:51:16 PM
Whenever it comes out that a political candidate wasn't a registered voter or didn't cast a vote in some or all past elections, it becomes an issue. I can see why political junkies care, because they eat and sleep elections, and someone coming to the playing field who isn't like them in that respect is odd to them.
I have voted every time I have been allowed to cast a vote - save perhaps one ballot on which only a minor local issue or two could be found and no candidates for major office. But I do think it is possible that someone else could have decided they didn't think it mattered or hadn't studied up enough to vote. I don't think everyone should vote - unless they have actually considered for themselves the merits of voting one way or the other.
Lately, this lack of voting has been one of the questions about Meg Whitman, who is seeking to be elected Governor of California as a Republican.
Does it matter to you if a candidate skipped on voting in the past? I'm not talking about elected legislators failing to vote on legislation. I'm talking candidates who have only recently gotten involved in politics. To me, it depends on the reasons why the person didn't vote.