Frequently Asked Questions

CircleVoting.com is more about political disorganization than it is a rival to anything existing. Even "grassroots" organizations, like Move On, are top down; the leadership chooses specific candidates to support, raises funds, and uses phone banks to call strangers. There is no one here to endorse candidates, raise money or call strangers.

And it is not a typical "get out the vote" campaign. We don't need more voters, but we do need more enlightened voters that act in their best interest.

There is no need to choose. Circle Voting doesn't take much time and doesn't conflict with any other group you might choose.

What if this enlightened voting force doesn't agree on everything?

While it is important to connect with like-minded people, there is no need to agree on everything. The movements of Blacks, women, and gays in the 60's and 70's all contained divisions within them but were very effective because they came together around common interests.

Similarly, advisors may differ on their recommendations, especially in primaries. But users can see where they are coming from and choose what fits them best. The overall impact will be a voting force acting in its best interest.

How do I decide if someone is like-minded?

You don't have to have a perfect fit to like-minded. It just needs to be someone that has somewhat similar views around the issues that you care about. Are you concerned about education, or the environment or health care?

Remember that not-voting is a vote for the winner in every race: national, state, and local If you aren't happy with the way things are going, it shouldn't be hard to find someone who might vote differently than for the ways things have been.

How will Circle Voting create better candidates?

Most of us see elections as passive choices between two parties. For some it is the good guys and the bad guys and for other if is the bad guys and not as bad guys. And when we think of voting as a private act, it is a passive act. However when we vote as a community of common interest, we have power. It is no accident that liberal candidates come from liberal districts, etc. Candidates judge the tenor of the district by past voting and participation before decided to allocate their precious time and resources to a run. If a district has shown the ability to discriminate and vote for progressive candidates, more will run.

I check with others and look for endorsements all the time. How is this different?

The difference is Circle Voting saves you the time of obtaining the information and it organizes it for you. But more importantly it gives you the opportunity to share this process among your circle in a non-threatening manner. It als increases your circle of influence because friends outside your state may share this information with their friends in your very own district.

I like what you say, but I don’t have much time, Why put time here?

You don't have to join anything or pay anything. It is about just expanding yourself and the power of what you believe. It doesn't take much time to send some emails and to bring this up in normal conversation with your friends and family.

All my friends vote. It won’t make much difference what I do, will it?

Most people think it is a good thing to vote, so surveys find that at least 10% report that they voted when they really didn't. These surveys find that there are substantial non-voters in every demographic group. When saying they vote, most people think of the last presidential election when 60% of those eligible actually voted. In the coming primaries, only 20% are expected to vote and in local elections it is much less. So, you have lots of friends that could vote more often if it were easier for them.

I am a confirmed non-voter, why should I vote now?

Quite simply you you non-vote counts the same as a vote for the winner. In fact, one purpose of these very negative campaigns is to keep the opponents supporters home and not voting.

Arguing politics makes everybody uncomfortable. How is this different?

In Circle Voting you are just making your information and opinion available to your circle. You are not trying convince them to vote for a particular candidate. You are just making easier for them. And when you invite them you can also point out that they will have available many other opinions than just yours.

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