I voted early, not often
As I mentioned yesterday there was a mix-up and I ended up with two votes in two different polling stations. I could have used both and nobody would have been any the wiser but I decided it wasn't the thing to do. I can't say I wasn't tempted though. I texted a friend (the one who steals around at night taking down Progressive Democrat election posters) to see what he thought and this is what I got back:
"We need all the help we can get comrade. I think you should view it as an opportunity, a fortunate twist of fate. They've cheated the working man for years. Bastards!"
Then I thought of that old republican maxim; vote early and vote often. It was a toughie but I'm glad I decided not to engage in a bit of aul' electoral fraud. I'd be quick to complain if others did it!
Anyway, I gave my number one vote to Eamon Ryan of the Green Party. I gave my second preference to Labour even though I'm less than happy about them jumping into bed with Fine Gael. Actually, A FG canvasser made a point to me on my doorstep a few weeks back that got me thinking. Basically it was that if I want to see the Greens in government then I should give preferences to FG and Labour. I will never vote for an openly right-wing party like FG but I can stomach Labour. What I'd really like to see is the Left uniting instead of doing deals with right-wing parties but you have to make a choice on the basis of what's in front of you. With what we have I'm happy to vote Green and Labour.
As a republican I might be expected to vote Sinn Féin. Well, there are two Shinners running in my constituency and neither have a snowball's chance in hell of being elected. Therefore, I gave one of them a token third preference and left the rest of the card blank.
Eamon Ryan has always come across as a no-nonsense sort of bloke. He's smart, hard working and generally gives a shit. That's important. He also has a sense of humour. In an attempt to attract canvassers and people to deliver his leaflets, he has this to say on his website:
"If you have never taken part in an election on the ground, you will be surprised at how much fun it is..."
Yeah, Eamon, I'm sure it is...
lenfercestlesautres said...
"a snowball's chance in hell"? love that expression.
I would have had the opportunity of cheating in elections several times. I didn't do it.
2:14 PM
Tony said...
Would it not have been better to give your first vote to SF and then to green etc... If they don't have a chance then your second preference would count as your first in reality, and you will still be flying the flag for Republicanism.
Just a thought (perhaps a mixed up one) but keep in mind how well we Scots done with our first encounter with stv. It was only 140,000 after all.
2:51 PM
JG said...
Len,
I just presumed they'd be more efficient in Germany!;) Are you talking about a postal vote for the French elections?
Tony,
If they don't have a chance then your second preference would count as your first in reality
It could work out that way, yeah. In any case I actually have a lot of time for the Green Party guy. I know nothing about the SF candidates...
3:46 PM
lenfercestlesautres said...
No, I'm talking about European elections! I have two nationalities, so theoretically I could vote twice.
Also, when I lived in Boston, my landlady asked if I wanted to come with her to vote, since she said you didn't need an ID and her daughters were still on the list even though they had moved away!
4:57 PM
JG said...
Yeah, I guess no system is perfect.
I've just been over at your blog finding out what a do-rag is. You learn something new every day!
5:07 PM