Don’t worry, I’m not about to tell you who we’re voting for, or who I
think you should vote for. This isn’t that kind of blog. I’m just
curious as to how many couples don’t vote the same way.
This is the second election year my husband and I have been married
during. We went together to vote in 2008, have gone together to vote
in local elections, and plan to go together to vote this year.
For the most part, we agree with each other politically; we’re on the
same page on issues like civil liberties, foreign policy, and most
other things. We disagree (and have agreed to disagree) on all things
financial; taxation, wealth distribution, etc. We also place
differing levels of importance on different issues. As a result we
don’t always agree on who the better candidate is.
In 2008 we very nearly voted opposite each other, and we were fine
with that. Neither of us saw it as cancelling out each other’s vote,
or something that we had to agree on. We chose to look at it as one
of the many things we have different opinions on. In the end, we
actually ended up voting the same way. I was very conflicted as to
who to vote for (my first choice didn’t make it through the primaries)
and after lots of research I decided my husband’s choice was actually
the better of the two choices.
This year, I was the first to make up my mind. My husband has been
more conflicted. At one point, it looked like we would be voting
differently from each other. I won’t say opposite, because a third
party candidate came into play, but definitely not the same candidate.
This year my husband has been the one to change his mind in the
eleventh hour, so once again we are voting the same way.
I have no doubt that a presidential election will come when we will
vote opposite (or at least differently) from each other, and we’re
fine with that. We respect each other’s thoughts and opinions enough
that it’s a non-issue for us.
I haven’t asked many people if they’re voting for the same candidate
their spouse is. Based on some of the rants my Facebook friends (on
both sides) are posting, that’s a particular can of worms I’d rather
not open. I did have a (pleasant) semi-political discussion with one
acquaintance who is leaning toward a different candidate than the one
her husband is firmly behind, but feels like they shouldn’t vote
opposite each other, since that more or less cancels their votes out.
I have to say I disagree with that. I view voting as a privilege and
a responsibility that we are truly fortunate to enjoy. I also think
there should be enough respect within a marriage that you can vote for
who you choose.
But I am curious. Do you and your spouse vote the same way? Would it
bother you to cast opposite or different votes? Do you even discuss
politics with your spouse?
think you should vote for. This isn’t that kind of blog. I’m just
curious as to how many couples don’t vote the same way.
This is the second election year my husband and I have been married
during. We went together to vote in 2008, have gone together to vote
in local elections, and plan to go together to vote this year.
For the most part, we agree with each other politically; we’re on the
same page on issues like civil liberties, foreign policy, and most
other things. We disagree (and have agreed to disagree) on all things
financial; taxation, wealth distribution, etc. We also place
differing levels of importance on different issues. As a result we
don’t always agree on who the better candidate is.
In 2008 we very nearly voted opposite each other, and we were fine
with that. Neither of us saw it as cancelling out each other’s vote,
or something that we had to agree on. We chose to look at it as one
of the many things we have different opinions on. In the end, we
actually ended up voting the same way. I was very conflicted as to
who to vote for (my first choice didn’t make it through the primaries)
and after lots of research I decided my husband’s choice was actually
the better of the two choices.
This year, I was the first to make up my mind. My husband has been
more conflicted. At one point, it looked like we would be voting
differently from each other. I won’t say opposite, because a third
party candidate came into play, but definitely not the same candidate.
This year my husband has been the one to change his mind in the
eleventh hour, so once again we are voting the same way.
I have no doubt that a presidential election will come when we will
vote opposite (or at least differently) from each other, and we’re
fine with that. We respect each other’s thoughts and opinions enough
that it’s a non-issue for us.
I haven’t asked many people if they’re voting for the same candidate
their spouse is. Based on some of the rants my Facebook friends (on
both sides) are posting, that’s a particular can of worms I’d rather
not open. I did have a (pleasant) semi-political discussion with one
acquaintance who is leaning toward a different candidate than the one
her husband is firmly behind, but feels like they shouldn’t vote
opposite each other, since that more or less cancels their votes out.
I have to say I disagree with that. I view voting as a privilege and
a responsibility that we are truly fortunate to enjoy. I also think
there should be enough respect within a marriage that you can vote for
who you choose.
But I am curious. Do you and your spouse vote the same way? Would it
bother you to cast opposite or different votes? Do you even discuss
politics with your spouse?
We used to vote the same way, but this year we won't be.
ReplyDeleteI think there was a lot of that this year.
DeleteWe voted the same in the last election, but the one prior to that we voted differently. At the time we were dating and lived in different states, so we weren't cancelling each others votes at all. I joked and told him I was cancelling my cranky co-workers vote that year because he used to make me listen to his talk radio at work.
ReplyDeleteThat would be rough listening to a cranky co-worker like that. Kind of makes you want to cancel them out.
DeleteWe vote a lot the same way; sometimes on the state's propositions we'll vote differently but for the most part we vote the same. I think its probably because we have the same conservative values. We do discuss politics; he's more impassioned about them than I am. I have to tell you what the most interesting thing is, is when we discuss politics with our 23 year old son; he has a lot of different opinions than we do on things, but it is good to hear his opinion and sometimes we agree to disagree :)
ReplyDeleteI think the main point is we go out and exercise our right to vote
betty
That's good that you guys can agree to disagree with your son. I think it's very sad to see families fight over politics; it's nice when people can just agree to disagree.
DeleteYou are absolutely right about exercising the right to vote!
We've always voted the same way. My sister and her hubby have always voted differently. They do joke that they cancel each other out, but they still vote. For me, political views cross philosophical views, so I'm not sure I could have married a guy who was on the other side. For a lifetime partner, I want to be on the same page. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's good that your sister and her husband still go vote. I think my husband and I are alright with voting differently sometimes because we mostly want the same things, we just sometimes want to take different roads to get there.
Deletewe voted differently the first 10 yrs or so of our marriage...now he educated me, gave me a hand out of the constitution, Catholic teachings, etc. and I guess converted me. we were going to get a sign for our front yard, so we are so on the same page. I love talking politics, and converted him to the idea!
ReplyDeleteI've always thought it would be kind of funny to see opposing, or at least different, signs in the same yard. :-)
DeleteWe do talk politics, and although we both agree on the very basic, fundamental issues, we look at things differently, and approach/handle this whole election thing very differently.
ReplyDeleteI"m like you - I have intentionally left politics OFF of my blog as well - I think there is enough arguing, opinion slinging, negativity out there so I don't think we need ANOTHER venue for that. Recently a friend of mine got all fired up about something my husband posted on facebook and sent me her political missive via email. Fortunately we are dear good friends, and have that kind of relationship that we can express our ideas and thoughts intelligently without hurt feelings. I am in process of getting my own thoughts down on paper - I haven't done that before, and it has actually been great to really dissect exactly what I think.
It wouldn't bother me to vote differently from him. In fact, I am considering changing my 'party affiliation' to a non-party.
Very interesting post! Thought-provoking but done in a way as to not provoke! BRILLIANT! :)
Thanks, I'm not often called brilliant. :-)
DeleteI'm with you, there has been more than enough ugliness without giving folks yet another forum for it. I am so disappointed that the ugliness is continuing, on both sides, even now that the election is over.
You and your husband sound kind of similar to us. I think voting differently and being alright with it is a matter of respect for your spouse as a person with their own ideas.
We've both always registered as independents and we're happy that way. The only downside is that we get A LOT of mail from both sides!
My husband and I are very much in line politically - from social and civil liberty issues to finances. We often vote for the same candidates, including third parties (where available).
ReplyDeleteEven if we voted for different candidates, odds are I'd still appreciate his candidate's various positions due to our being so in sync (and often disgusted with most politicians :P).
There's definitely a lot to be disgusted with when it comes to politicians! :-)
DeleteI love that you can still appreciate who your husband votes for even if it's not the same person you would vote for.
As it happens, we are firmly on the same page. We discuss events all the time.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you can discuss and agree.
DeleteYes we have big political voices here and we are very much so on the same page. You bring up an interesting point while connecting the decision to the value of respect in a marriage. Your ideals are healthy and seem to brew up a strong relationship.
ReplyDeleteTake care. ♥
You guys sound a little like my husband's grandparents; very big political voices and very much on the same page. They are very involved and great about really educating themselves about the candidates and their positions too.
DeleteI truly believe that a lot of things in marriage come down to respect for your spouse and his or her views and opinions.
This was the first presidential election my hubs actually voted in and he wanted to vote the same way I voted for everything! We agreed on who we didn't want to vote for (that's always the easiest for us) and then we figured out the rest. We're considering re-registering too..hadn't thought about how the mail would increase though. Ugh!
ReplyDelete