What would you say to someone who doesn't bother to vote because

[babsbunny]

one person in the household votes Republican, and the other votes Democratic? They don't vote because they would cancel each others vote out. Does that make sense?

[Hugin]

1. No.

They should exercise their right to vote.

[Richard Steele]

2. I'd say, "Why the HELL are you living with a Repub?".

Anyone still voting Repub in the year 2006 has
some SERIOUS character flaws.

[Iris]

6. You got that right! I'd commit a sin of omission and just not mention

that I voted! But, more importantly, I wouldn't be in that position!

[B Calm]

3. Neither one has anything to bitch about..

[SammyWinstonJack]

4. Thankfully that isn't a problem in my household, we both vote Democratic.

Always!

[Geek_Girl]

5. I would tell the Democrat

To go ahead and vote and not tell their republican spouse.

[iamjoy]

7. I Disagree

Even if it "cancels out" they should still show up

I work on campaigns and it is so discouraging when turn out is low. It's like we all worked so hard and people can't even bother to vote.

Aside from that, there are often non-partisan races or issues. For example, in Florida in any given election we vote on several ballot initiatives. Many of these are non-partisan in that they have candidates from both parties supporting them and opposing them. They may tend one way or the other, but not absolutely.

Besides, do they always vote straight party ticket?

Again, I am thinking of Florida where some Republicans will probably vote for Bill Nelson and some Democrats may (unfortunately) vote for Crist.

added on edit
May I say to some of the above posters, lying or deceiving your spouse is wrong. If you have an agreement not to vote, you should honor it - or at least be honest with them. "Sweetie, I am voting tomorrow. It's too important not to. You do what you must."

[Fresh_Start]

8. we used to be like that until my husband finally awoke

from his delusions about the republican party. But we both voted. We both discussed the pros and cons. Eventually, I saved him from the dark side.

Everyone needs to vote. Its a duty as a citizen. Even if the votes cancel out mathematically, they don't cancel out in showing politicians that the people care about government. Pols try to get away with whatever they can get away with. Their worst fear is an alert constituency.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. My household cancels out often, but we vote anyway because it is a priviledge

and our duty.

[Nostradammit]

11. Not a priviledge - a right.

But I know what you mean!

[Nostradammit]

10. I'd tell them they are being lazy and don't deserve democracy

There are so many local measures in any given election that transcend party.

Tell them neither of them have any right to complain about any government policy.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

12. I would slap them silly.

Then I'd tell them that it doesn't matter if they cancel each other out, since whoever wins does so because of the votes that didn't cancel each other out, so "vote canceling" makes it more competitive in the end.

[sarge43]

13. Maybe my logic is flawed, but your vote is never canceled out by another

except in the unlikely event the election is a tie. Then all votes are in effect canceled and it's back to the polls to try again. Otherwise, every vote contributed to the overall total earned by candidate or issue.

[hopein08]

14. What about someone who doesn't vote because the person they want to win is 12 pts. ahead?

a.k.a. my mom, who figures that there isn't any reason to bother voting for Casey as he's 12 pts. ahead and/or the election will probably be fixed for Santorum anyway.

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. Makes NO SENSE whatsoever.

That's just sad.:(

[demosincebirth]

16. You don't vote, you can't complain.

[StraightDope]

17. No, but I'm sure that this intellectual leap...

Was made by the Republican half of the dyad.

[Cleita]

18. My DH and I, although we were both liberals, often clashed

on local issues. It didn't stop us from voting and canceling each other out because we knew if we didn't cancel each other out there would be one vote in that camp that we didn't want.