CanadaPolitics

2820 readers

15 users here now

Placeholder for any r/CanadaPolitics refugees

Rules

Keep the original title when submitting an article. You can put your own commentary in the body of the post or in the comment section.

Reminder that the rules for lemmy.ca also apply here. See the sidebar on the homepage: lemmy.ca

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

When and how should you vote strategically (lemmynsfw.com)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

https://open.substack.com/pub/billhulet/p/strategic-voting?r=4ot1q2&showWelcomeOnShare=true

all 13 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[+] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

[deleted]

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It's not BS. It is the inevitable consequences of FPTP voting. In my riding the PCs have skyrocketed in popularity, as demonstrated in the last provincial election earlier this year, and so if I don't want a conservative winning our seat I MUST vote the previously well established incumbent despite wanting to vote Green.

[+] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

[deleted]

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Yes, well the alternative is the conservatives win and THAT is BS. Your issue is with FPTP, not strategic voting.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Did any of you read the article?

I was trying to suggest a nuanced way of looking at the issue that threads the needle of voting strategically where necessary but also voting for a progressive party where that's a feasible option.

I get that a lot of folks like to share 'hot takes' on issues to let others know how they feel. But I put a lot of effort into researching and writing these articles, and use social media to share them. I met with and listened to both our local candidate and Elizabeth May when I wrote this article, I've run as a candidate many times as a Green---and that experience informs the stories I write.

Should I not bother posting stuff on Lemmy? I get the feeling that a lot of folks on this social media site are really angry about the world and I'd just as soon not get caught in the cross fire.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I read your substack blog and agree with the sentiment that the NDP and Greens are in trouble. I also disagree with the stance that the Conservatives aren't a threat, because a) polls are bullshit, and b) we did all this discussion about strategic voting for the US election and look how well that turned out.

I'm sorry, but my stance is prudent. The #1 priority is pushing the conservatives out and in my riding I cannot risk splitting my vote where I really want it. FPTP is the problem, not strategic voting which is a symptom, not the disease.

Post on here all you want, but you are going to get pushback if you argue PC are nothing to worry about.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Hmmm.

I must have really screwed-up if your read of my article was that people shouldn't vote strategically to keep the Conservative from winning in their specific riding. I mentioned there is very little chance of the Conservative candidate winning in my particular riding and it's a race between the Green and the Liberal. It's about learning about your own riding instead of assuming that every riding is exactly the same.

Thanks for replying.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

The problem is I'm discussing 2 different issues with 2 different people. I'm not saying that is what you said. I'm saying I'm in the exact situation you suggest strategically voting for and mostly arguing for that with the first person who said "but it'll make a 2 party system". That said, I think arguing that the PCs aren't as strong as they seem in this era of right wing resurgence literally everywhere in the world is asking for tragedy.

My stance is unless the PCs have zero chance in hell of winning a riding the voters should prioritize ensuring they lose. Protesting or lobbying for change towards Approval Voting can come after the election (or, ideally, pushed to the forefront as an election hot-button issue). Once that succeeds Party survival will be a non-issue.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

Screw that, this time there's a local candidate I actually know and like. It's so unusual that I feel like it should outweigh any other strategic or tactical concerns.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

JFC don't use any dumb ass website to tell you how to vote. This is exactly what the foreign interference stuff is about and what they target. Vote how you want to vote. If you think you may need/want to vote strategically, then go for a walk or a drive and look at the number of signs to get an idea. Don't trust bullshit websites trying to pursuade you to vote a certain way under the guise of "strategic".