Linda Holmes: I agree! That’s why it’s a nonsensical way to think about voting. Of course voting matters. You don’t need to talk me into anything, believe me — I’m talking about how to answer people who say “I look at election results and it wouldn’t have been different if I hadn’t voted at all.”

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There are times when people express a desire not to vote, and while I might disagree, I can understand. This, on the other hand, isn’t even an argument. It’s incoherent in many ways. I disagree with it, but it’s also inept persuasive writing.

He begins with “it’s pointless” because a single vote won’t change the outcome (which on a local level isn’t even necessarily true!), and then deals with “it matters when lots of people do it” by saying “I’m not responsible for other people.” It’s sleight of hand, pure sophistry.

I’m a Georgia voter. Every vote matters, even on a national level.

What I’m saying is that it is literally and simplistically true that in national races, your one vote if you consider it completely individually, which you should not, will generally not change the outcome. But that’s a nonsensical way to think about voting!

When people are broadcasting, “Voting doesn’t matter,” if 100k people across the nation don’t vote, it can change the results of a national election.

I agree! That’s why it’s a nonsensical way to think about voting. Of course voting matters. You don’t need to talk me into anything, believe me — I’m talking about how to answer people who say “I look at election results and it wouldn’t have been different if I hadn’t voted at all.”

I just had this conversation with my hair dresser. I think I convinced her that her vote makes a difference in local elections, I'm not sure I was convincing about state / national.

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