Author Topic: Is this intrusive?  (Read 1958 times)

Victoria

Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #15 on: July 29, 2020, 12:05:08 pm »
I think that it's intrusive. In the United States, people who are convicted felons aren't allowed to vote. There may be other highly personal circumstances where the person isn't registered. I don't think that the ease of being able to lie and say "Yep, I'm all set" negates the intrusiveness of the question.

I also wonder what the follow-up to that question would be, if you said "No I'm not." Because presumably someone who's willing to ask isn't going to settle for a "No."

I don't think that "Do you floss your teeth?" is an analogous question, in that I don't think it's going to make the person asking the first question feel like they've made an error. I think it would just confuse them.

ETA: SOME people who are convicted felons aren't allowed to vote, state-by-state.
« Last Edit: July 29, 2020, 12:40:25 pm by Victoria »
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TootsNYC

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Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #16 on: July 29, 2020, 12:12:57 pm »
I think it is intrusive. The question would put me on my guard if I were in a room full of relative strangers. As STiG said, one might not not be a citizen or be otherwise  ineligible to vote and not want to get into a discussion about it. I’d be likely to consider the question a first step in trying to  scope me out politically which I don’t like.

If you think a newcomer needs information about registering, don’t put them on the spot. It’s simple enough to ask him or her if they need information about registering and leave it at that.

Or, perhaps say, "let me know if you need information about registering to vote in your new neighborhood."
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TootsNYC

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Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #17 on: July 29, 2020, 12:15:50 pm »
Quote
In the United States, people who are convicted felons aren't allowed to vote.

Depends on the state, but yes, many states (21 of them) restrict it. In 3 of them, it's permanent--one of those is my home state, Iowa, which shocks me, actually.

There's a map at this link, if anyone is interested.
https://www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights/voter-restoration/felony-disenfranchisement-laws-map

PVZFan

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Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #18 on: July 29, 2020, 12:18:56 pm »
I think that it's intrusive. In the United States, people who are convicted felons aren't allowed to vote. There may be other highly personal circumstances where the person isn't registered. I don't think that the ease of being able to lie and say "Yep, I'm all set" negates the intrusiveness of the question.

I also wonder what the follow-up to that question would be, if you said "No I'm not." Because presumably someone who's willing to ask isn't going to settle for a "No."

I don't think that "Do you floss your teeth?" is an analogous question, in that I don't think it's going to make the person asking the first question feel like they've made an error. I think it would just confuse them.

To the bolded, not in every state. In Maine and Vermont, felons never lose their rights to vote. In fact, felons retain or regain voting rights in more states than losing them indefinitely - the chart at this link is interesting https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights.aspx (FWIW, I think the prevailing thought that "felons can't vote" keeps more people from registering and voting. I worked at a halfway house for a bit and many of the women thought they couldn't vote, when, in fact, they were eligible. One of my roles was helping them register.)

Because voter registration and voting requirements are unique to each state and community, I could see asking a new neighbor if they've registered as a way of getting in front of any barriers that one might encounter.
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Victoria

Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #19 on: July 29, 2020, 12:39:37 pm »
I think that it's intrusive. In the United States, people who are convicted felons aren't allowed to vote. There may be other highly personal circumstances where the person isn't registered. I don't think that the ease of being able to lie and say "Yep, I'm all set" negates the intrusiveness of the question.

I also wonder what the follow-up to that question would be, if you said "No I'm not." Because presumably someone who's willing to ask isn't going to settle for a "No."

I don't think that "Do you floss your teeth?" is an analogous question, in that I don't think it's going to make the person asking the first question feel like they've made an error. I think it would just confuse them.

To the bolded, not in every state. In Maine and Vermont, felons never lose their rights to vote. In fact, felons retain or regain voting rights in more states than losing them indefinitely - the chart at this link is interesting https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights.aspx (FWIW, I think the prevailing thought that "felons can't vote" keeps more people from registering and voting. I worked at a halfway house for a bit and many of the women thought they couldn't vote, when, in fact, they were eligible. One of my roles was helping them register.)

Because voter registration and voting requirements are unique to each state and community, I could see asking a new neighbor if they've registered as a way of getting in front of any barriers that one might encounter.

Yes, you're right, I was in a rush and didn't caveat that properly. I was in a rush and overgeneralized.

But to your point, I still think it's intrusive if someone is probing into my reasoning or barriers that I may have to voting...I could see someone saying "Let me know if you need any help with voter registration, voting is something I'm passionate about" and leaving it at that.
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Hanna

Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #20 on: July 29, 2020, 05:44:44 pm »
I was thinking along the lines of it being a civic duty and a thing that responsible people either do, or do not do for a good reason. It did feel a bit like how ChezMiriam described. If I wasn’t registered it’s not because I’m not able to sort out how that works.

In every state where I’ve resided it’s an option when you change your driver’s license address. It’s not a big secret or a difficult task.

I wouldn’t really ask anyone if they flossed (though I do actually think it’s of the utmost importance and expect people are less educated about flossing than about registering to vote.) I meant that tongue in cheek.

I smiled and said “yes, I am.”

Funny enough, after I posted this the new neighbor brought me gorgeous flowers from her yard. I really love my new neighbors already.
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Kimpossible

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Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #21 on: July 30, 2020, 07:49:19 am »
It feels like a "Did you change your address at the post office?" kind of question. I'm a grown up person. With Google's help, I can adult most of the time. I'm not sure I'd want to discuss voting in any capacity at a welcome to the neighborhood party.
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Hmmm

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Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #22 on: July 30, 2020, 08:07:52 am »
I was thinking along the lines of it being a civic duty and a thing that responsible people either do, or do not do for a good reason. It did feel a bit like how ChezMiriam described. If I wasn’t registered it’s not because I’m not able to sort out how that works.

In every state where I’ve resided it’s an option when you change your driver’s license address. It’s not a big secret or a difficult task.

I wouldn’t really ask anyone if they flossed (though I do actually think it’s of the utmost importance and expect people are less educated about flossing than about registering to vote.) I meant that tongue in cheek.

I smiled and said “yes, I am.”

Funny enough, after I posted this the new neighbor brought me gorgeous flowers from her yard. I really love my new neighbors already.

I think if you are uncomfortable with a question, then "Why do you ask?" is a perfect response.

It could be that the questionnaire is a local registrar and could offer assistance. It could be they were planning to provide you with information about which voting places in your area have the shortest lines or where the easiest place to get to for runoffs, if you are a voter. (Or it could be her litmus test that she was able to bring up something about voting and you didn't jump into a tirade for either side. So well done, you passed and got a flower for it! ;))

I wouldn't assume if someone asked "Have you found a local dentist" meant they thought my teeth were in bad shape and I needed to go in for a cleaning. However, I'm sure there are those who are sensitive about the look of their teeth and would take the question as insensitive or overly familiar or judgmental. 

I just hate jumping to the decision that someone is being intrusive by asking what could really be an innocent question.

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TootsNYC

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Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #23 on: July 30, 2020, 09:32:58 am »
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provide you with information about which voting places in your area have the shortest lines or where the easiest place to get to for runoffs

I've never voted anywhere that I was allowed to choose my polling place.
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Hmmm

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Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #24 on: July 30, 2020, 10:31:13 am »
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provide you with information about which voting places in your area have the shortest lines or where the easiest place to get to for runoffs

I've never voted anywhere that I was allowed to choose my polling place.

Our State allows counties to offer county-wide polling, so as long as you show up at a polling place in the county, you can vote. It's still only a couple of years old law and new comers are unfamiliar. So another reason a neighbor might be offer advice about voting to a registered voter new to the county.

PVZFan

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Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #25 on: July 30, 2020, 10:31:36 am »
I think that it's intrusive. In the United States, people who are convicted felons aren't allowed to vote. There may be other highly personal circumstances where the person isn't registered. I don't think that the ease of being able to lie and say "Yep, I'm all set" negates the intrusiveness of the question.

I also wonder what the follow-up to that question would be, if you said "No I'm not." Because presumably someone who's willing to ask isn't going to settle for a "No."

I don't think that "Do you floss your teeth?" is an analogous question, in that I don't think it's going to make the person asking the first question feel like they've made an error. I think it would just confuse them.

To the bolded, not in every state. In Maine and Vermont, felons never lose their rights to vote. In fact, felons retain or regain voting rights in more states than losing them indefinitely - the chart at this link is interesting https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights.aspx (FWIW, I think the prevailing thought that "felons can't vote" keeps more people from registering and voting. I worked at a halfway house for a bit and many of the women thought they couldn't vote, when, in fact, they were eligible. One of my roles was helping them register.)

Because voter registration and voting requirements are unique to each state and community, I could see asking a new neighbor if they've registered as a way of getting in front of any barriers that one might encounter.

Yes, you're right, I was in a rush and didn't caveat that properly. I was in a rush and overgeneralized.

But to your point, I still think it's intrusive if someone is probing into my reasoning or barriers that I may have to voting...I could see someone saying "Let me know if you need any help with voter registration, voting is something I'm passionate about" and leaving it at that.

The problem with the over-generalization is it's very exaggerated. More states allow people with felonies to vote than not. (In a few there are steps to complete.) The spreading of the misinformation is one way that votes are suppressed. People with felonies are told by "someone" that they can't vote, don't want to ask out of embarrassment (more accurately, shame), and never try to vote. (I'm not implying you're trying to suppress anyone's vote, I'm just clarifying why it's important to be accurate.)

Quote
provide you with information about which voting places in your area have the shortest lines or where the easiest place to get to for runoffs

I've never voted anywhere that I was allowed to choose my polling place.

Me either. Well, except for when I voted by mail in the most recent primary. I chose to vote from the couch. With a coffee in my hand. It was wonderful. 5/5 highly recommend.

kareng57

Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #26 on: July 30, 2020, 11:12:04 am »
I can tell you that in my area of Canada if would be considered intrusive.  Registration is easy and can be done on Election Day.

TootsNYC

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Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #27 on: July 30, 2020, 12:11:35 pm »
I can tell you that in my area of Canada if would be considered intrusive.  Registration is easy and can be done on Election Day.

In which case, I don't think the topic would even come up.

In the US, registering to vote is a completely separate procedure and often must be done in advance, which can be an issue when you move.
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oogyda

Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #28 on: July 30, 2020, 01:41:12 pm »
Quote
provide you with information about which voting places in your area have the shortest lines or where the easiest place to get to for runoffs

I've never voted anywhere that I was allowed to choose my polling place.

In my very rural county, early (days not hours) voting is allowed for those that require assistance.  Basically, a person pulls up in a vehicle and the voting apparatus is brought to them.  This is done at a few places instead of every polling place.  On the day of the vote, assistance can be provided at every polling place.

To answer the OP:  I get why it feels intrusive, but I think it does relate to moving in that you will have to change your address with the DMV and that's a good time/place to register.  If it's someone who is active in the local political scene, it would be on their mind.

jpcher

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Re: Is this intrusive?
« Reply #29 on: July 30, 2020, 02:56:15 pm »
I think that if I were in your position, OP, I would have said "Oh, I don't talk politics, religion, and how to nurse babies at parties. Let's have fun!" Bean Dip.
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