And I'd need an act of a higher power (ie to be on my deathbed) for me to not vote.

If I didn't like any of the candidates, I'd write one in, even if that write-in was a fictional character.

ETA Homer Simpson did get my vote once. It was a local (nonpartisan) race where the candidates were very active Republicans and no Democrat (I was asked but said no). So it was a none of the above vote.

Except for party, that is.

and not voting.

I'll stand on the record against the ratfucking on this site and encourage the admins to enforce the TOS during election season. It is now 25 days until the 2014 midterms. It is time to get behind the candidates we have and stop the moaning and whining.

... people who have a lot of influence.

I am critical of democrats who speak one thing and do another, like take PAC money. I am ALWAYS critical of republicans. If I don't vote, as far as I'm concerned, I lose the right to say anything.

I also haven't seen any "ratfucking" for midterm elections. Not saying there hasn't been, just have not seen it. Though I have seen whining about it.

have tried to sway me to vote democratic no matter what. I consider everyone's vote to be extremely personal, private, and sacred. I will vote for someone who supports my values, and no one is going to sway me away from doing that.

principles.

And, vote accordingly.

The desire to enforce message conformity, so not to spook impressionable democrats, is silly.

I have voted in every election since I was 18.