I feel like my vote truly does not matter

This election may be the closest one we have had in a long time. The polls show, country wide, that both candidates could win. I do not know what Illinois polls are showing but, if we, as a country don't want a repeat of the Florida hanging chad incident if you can vote you should.

So yes, all of our votes count! Vote for YOUR candidate! Who ever he is!

Think of it as a race that we all have to volunteer at. The experience is better when you have too many volunteers. Set up and clean up is easier and the racers all have a great experience.

Go out there and vote!

I'm with ya...I live in Maryland.  Though we did vote in a Republican governor back in '02.  Two Democratic senators who have been in office FOREVER (Cardin and Mikulski).  Honestly, in most presidential elections there are only about a dozen states that really matter.

On the good side, I hardly ever see any commercials for national races.  Just whether we should expand casino gambling or approve same sex marriage.  But that's a whole other CoJ thread (or two)...

My family comes from a country that doesn't have the privilege of voting. They never take for granted their right to vote now.

Go vote!

Just to clarify, I will vote. I read all the threads on here and everyone is so passionate and I'm kind of thinking, there is nothing for me to get all that passionate about because the trends for our state will most likely remain the same. 

I want to believe it matters but I'm just not feeling it.

Unless you're in a swing state it doesn't really matter much except for the statistics that Gallup does and other research, really.

Example. I'm in Texas. Even if I did want Obama I'd get Romney anyways just 'cuz he's republican. Which is fine with me 'cuz I like Romney anyways.

 Please vote anyway. But it you are a warm hearted conservative why are you still in Illinois move to Texas. We vote for Republicans but struggle over whether we should vote for Libertarians. I am considering voting for Gary Johnson

If you feel that bad about "not counting" (which you do, BTW), move to Ohio.  I'm so sick of the daily reports of who is coming to town...  I think both teams have been here every day for the past three weeks...  at least that's what it feels like...

To put the commercials and visits in perspective, it's the "Hey mom!  Look at me!" petition you get from your kids 100 times a day-- only worse.  They're not your kids but they still want attention.

No matter what, VOTE!

Do you recycle?  Buy organic?  Donate when there are out-of-country catastrophes?  Race when you know there's no chance you'll podium?  Why? 

My problem with perceiving one vote as completely useless or futile is that, taken to unquestionably ridiculous extremes, that philosophy negates a person's existence.  Regardless of statistical effect, the act of voting is a statement of personal values, personal worth.  It's my one chance to shove my tiny oar in from the aircraft carrier.  Does it make a difference to the aircraft carrier?  Are my actions determined by whether or not I can turn the aircraft carrier with my oar or is it enough to know that when an action was available to me, I did it?

Winner!!

X2

Exactly. Voting is a right that I truly cherish and I will vote. That being said I believe that Obama will will based upon the electoral college votes and Romney will likely win the popular vote. Key electoral states are FL, OH, CA, etc. Both FL and OH are up for grabs right now.  At the end of the day they are all politicians so don't expect the world to change overnight.

Not according to George Carlin.

Whether I vote in Illinois (where I've resided for 15 years and still have a house) or Utah (where I'm living currently, but not permanently), my vote for President won't make a difference.  Illinois will go overwhelmingly for Obama and Utah will go overwhelmingly for Romney. 

I did vote, because the local elections do make a difference! 

For the presidential election, you're probably right.  Your vote will be roughly 0.00000077% of the popular vote and its the electoral college that matters anyway.

HOWEVER, vote locally!  Vote for your congressmen/women.  Vote for your county commissioner.  Most of what we deal with comes from local politicians.  Plus your popular vote actually counts.

Either way, have fun!