Privacy in Voting

Earlier today, my colleague asked me who I voted for when I came into the office. A few minutes later, @fox5newsedge asked:

TWITTER QUESTION to use on the air at 6 tonight. Is it rude to ask someone who they voted for? And why/why not?

My answer for years is has been, that since it is my right to vote as a citizen, then it is my right to keep my votes private. I reserve this right to not be judged by gut and informed decisions on the matters I choose to cast a ballot.

Later on some of my colleagues asked me if that is sending a mixed message? Knowing that I plan to run for Senate one day in the great state of Maryland, my voting record once I got into public office would be public. I say that is a totally different matter. As a private citizen, I reserve the right to keep my votes private should I choose.

Once I get into public office, when it comes to local and federal elections, I will more than likely stay steadfast in keeping my votes to my heart. But when it comes to representing my future constituents, then yes, I want to be accountable for my record as I want to vote for what the people who put me in office support.

For a test, I went to the ACLU congressional scorecard and found for my locale in MD:

As a Libertarian, I have voted for democrats, republicans and other independents in the past. I have long felt that a two party system does not fairly represent all the citizens of the United States and was proud to see today on the ballot names of not only other Libertarians, but other independents as well. This gives me hope that eventually the independents will have a voice.

Additionally, since I mentioned it, that I do want to run for Senate in MD. My next opportunity is in 2010 against Mikulski. I hope to find your support along the way to reach that goal and if you would like to be a part of my campaign, even better.

So what do you think? Do you keep your votes private?

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7 Comments

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  By Brian Drake, November 4, 2008 @ 7:56 pm

  I think how people vote is their own business. So if they want to keep it to themselves, then that’s fine. No skin off my nose. However, when one holds public office or is running for public office, then the public does have a right to know the positions/opinions of the candidate. So . . . what’s your position on slots?

• 

  By Andrea R. Baker, November 4, 2008 @ 8:33 pm

  I am debating on answering this issue as it is a more public issue and a platform issue if I was running this election cycle.

  Slots passed overwhelmingly tonight, along with early voting.

  I don’t think I would mind slots in our state, but the current amendment I was not for as much as I could research before I went into vote.

  Prince George’s county has Rosecroft Raceway, which was not a proposed slot location. I would not want video slot machines to be so close to home. I think the Eastern shore, Ocean City would be a fine location. However the question passed, so it looks like slots are coming.

• 

  By Steven Mandzik, November 7, 2008 @ 11:36 pm

  I do share my votes. I am quite proud of how i “spend” my vote. I look at it as a conversation starter and a way to learn about others points of view.

  However, I can understand the need to be private. Judging others based on their beliefs can get bad quickly.

  Though, not sure how much privacy we really have anymore.

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  By William Norment, November 8, 2008 @ 9:17 am

  Yes I share my vote. People will judge you based on anything, so why not your vote? At least it will give them an insight into you character.

  I’ll agree that our privacy is slowly being eroded away. Hell, the other day I was in the store and heard a woman just blabbing away on the phone about her “cycle”. Bleh.

• 

  By vingold, November 9, 2008 @ 7:33 pm

  A libertarian running for Senate? Count me in.

  Are we getting you elected directly to the Senate first or do we need to start smaller (House of Delegates, State Senator, Congress)?

  If I’m remembering your tweets correctly, you’re in the 5th Congressional district – so the chances of upending Steny Hoyer is pretty slim.

  In any event, count me in. Money is a little scarce but you can have as much of my time as you need.

  Oh – as for voting privacy – it is usually irrelevant with me. I make my thoughts on the candidates pretty well known long before I step into the booth.

  I voted for Barr this time around and Badnarik last time (2004).

  Then things get pretty split going back from there between Republicans and the Democrats.

  But if people don’t want to tell me, I’m cool with that.

  My daughter told me she was undecided as she stepped into the booth. Her 17 year old brother told her to vote for Obama. I never did ask her who she voted for – if she wants to tell me that’s her business.

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  By Andrea R. Baker, November 9, 2008 @ 7:50 pm

  At one time I was in MD District V, but now I live in 4. Donna Edwards is my congresswoman.

  I thought about going smaller first, be it mayor of my town or congress. But I think I can leverage my use of social media, as well as the many contacts and relationships I have built over the years. My family pretty big in Central and Southern Maryland and we have a lot of public service background (military, civil, and federal).

  I think my background as a disabled vet, lifelong American Patriot serving our Federal Government in one way or another, along with my charity and public service make me a strong candidate, where ever I run.

  Vinny, I’ll will definitely bring you on board for support when the time to make a move to run is upon us. This will mean, picking my race and getting the signatures to get on the ballot.

  I am sure we can think of creative fund raising methods.

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  By Andrea R. Baker, November 9, 2008 @ 7:58 pm

  @Will I think you know me or knew my character enough without my vote. I don’t drink as much as I did when we were stationed in Germany, but I do know what a good beer is supposed to taste like.

  As an insight to how I vote, I don’t vote based on one issue or platform a candidate runs on, but rather what is the most important issues to me and who, with the elected congress do I think can make those issues workable for me.

  I am a little concerned with the all-democratic stance the country has, in part I do believe that overtime, as progressive we have become as a country, we are also getting to soft in some areas. That might be a whole other blog post.

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