In an election where voters feel faced with an unappealing ultimatum, many are considering skipping the polls altogether. The Onion presents a side-by-side comparison of voting and abstaining.
Key
Ⓥ Voting — Ⓐ Abstention
TIME COMMITMENT
Ⓥ Hours spent waiting in line at polling place
Ⓐ Hours spent explaining why your choice is justified
UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHY
Ⓥ Democratic Idealism
Ⓐ Statistical Realism
MOTIVATION
Ⓥ Civic duty
Ⓐ Call Of Duty
IMPACT
Ⓥ While individually this action seems to have little effect, collectively it makes a difference
Ⓐ While individually this action seems to have little effect, collectively it makes a difference
DOWNSIDE
Ⓥ Have to miss favorite TV show
Ⓐ Complicit in decline of American democracy
STICKERS
Ⓥ Complimentary
Ⓐ $2.99 per sheet at Michaels
SENSE OF SUPERIORITY
Ⓥ Why do it otherwise?
Ⓐ Why do it otherwise?