Battleground Blog: The committed non-voter
EDITOR'S NOTE: CNN has sent dozens of reporters, producers, contributors and correspondents to the key battleground states to cover the final days of the 2012 election. In this post, CNN contributor John Avlon offers his take on one Florida woman who says she won't vote.
(CNN) - The Battleground Bus Tour is hitting Florida's I-4 corridor Wednesday, talking with the swing voters who will decide the winner of the Sunshine State's 29 electoral votes in two weeks.
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And on the first day, we talked with many swing voters who are still thoughtfully weighing the pros and cons of both candidates and we'll be posting some of those online later.
But one conversation really stood out. It was with a young woman in Lakeland named Kayla Williams. She was intelligent, professional and a committed non-voter.
That's right – despite the fact that her vote as a Floridian counts disproportionately in picking the next president of the United States, Kayla doesn't believe in voting. This predictably drew a lot of intense questions from CNN's Ali Velshi and me. Here's the exchange.
Kayla's argument that she was not informed and therefore should not vote is almost persuasive – if you ignore history and perspective. The reality is that every vote matters – especially in Florida, which George W. Bush won by just 537 votes in 2000.
But if you've ever wondered whether some undecided swing state voters are just decided non-voters – well, we found one. You're welcome.
But here's hoping Kayla changes her mind. Because sitting out an election isn't a decision as much as an abdication of responsibility in a democracy. It's taking freedom for granted.
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- Untitled
Hopefully she'll look back at her decision to sit out the election if there's a Romney win and women's rights are rolled back, Social Security is decimated and Medicare goes the way of the dinosaur. How to say this nicely? There's no way to say it, she's an idiot.
sounds more like a CNN get out the vote tour for Obama
Anyone that can't make up their mind in this election should probably just stay home. We don't need our democracy left in the hands of people that unaware.
This is just sad.
That video interview is the single best journalistic piece I've seen in the entire election cycle.
she wont have to have jury duty...
Dear Committed Non-Voter:
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
The GOP
I frankly don't want an ignorant vote canceling out my informed vote. Better she stay home than just guess at it.
Choosing not to educate oneself on the candidates and issues is stupid and lazy.
Choosing not to vote because of one's lack of knowledge is respectable.
Choosing to vote regardless of one's lack of knowledge is reprehensible.
If someone is throwing filth in your face and you don't want it removed you are free to accept it.
It's a selfish act not to vote !
People who know who they are voting for are boring. Nobody wants to interview an Obama or Romney voter. But, if you claim you are not committed to a candidate, or that you are not going to vote, suddenly you become interesting. These folks are getting something no normal voter gets: attention. That's the payoff. It's a Munchausen thing.
The Repugs continue to try and spin their failing candidates in a positive manner.. it's obvious that Mittens hasn't a clue about foreign policy. Nor does he have much math ability.. he's a silver spooned bully who things he should be President. Presidential characteristics are severely lacking in the Willard camp, and to have Ryan spouting about Iran being 4 yrs closer to nuclear capability is singularly asinine. It's like Obama's horses and bayonets comment... things have changed children. We're 4 years FURTHER AWAY from the economic disaster that was the Dubya era.. lets focus on moving ahead and not back to the 50's like R&R want.
That woman is a disgrace.
Vote, you people make me laugh. You talk about how important it is to vote but some try to suppress it. From day 1 ( as Mr. Romney always says ) the choice has not been clearer. I cannot understand why people would want a man who lies every time he speaks and a nutjob congressman in the W.H. Neither one is anywhere near being up to the job. As for your president he has done a wonderful job with what he walked into. I think there are a lot of Americans who suffer from Romnesia. As for dividing the country or the people the Repugs, the media and the people who allowed it to happen are to blame. As for President Obama I totally respect and admire him and i have no doubt he will be just fine no matter the outcome of the elections. It's you good Americans and the rest of the world that will pay if these two twits get elected. My views of the U.S.A. has changed a lot from following this election and is no longer my favorite vacation destination. You people are your own worst enemy and I hope you don't self destruct. Good Luck ALL.
Stupid people should not be allowed to vote because they always vote 'Democrat'.
If you can't make an informed decision by now you are an idiot . Just looking at the last four years should be enough . Americans can be so lazy . It is an honor to be able to vote something I take quite seriously . I don't understand how others don't
Doesn't she know that Obama is willing to give her anything she wants if she will just vote for him? Of course WE will pay for it but who cares?