General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAm I going to hell?
The custodian at work has been a very vocal supporter of Trump for months now. It is an outsourced company and I am sure he is not paid much so I just keep my mouth shut. Plus politics is not really discussed at my work place as we are a big, diverse company.
Well apparently this guy has never voted before and yesterday he confirmed that I do vote and he asked me what he needed to do.
I told him to find his nearest voting location and show up on Election Day. And now I feel a little guilty. I grew up having the importance of civics instilled in me at home, in school and even church, which I no longer attend. So the going to hell question was rhetorical.
Should I correct myself next week? If I thought I could change his vote I would in a heart beat.
Have a great weekend

Statistical
(19,264 posts)His vote isn't going to decide the election but being disenfranchised will leave him a bitter marginalized low information (non)voter in the future.
Chemisse
(30,764 posts)My opinion is - if it's wrong for the other side to do it (such as with voter ID laws and harassment at the polls), then it's wrong for us too.
As much as I hate the idea of another vote for Trump, I'd be livid if someone did that to our side.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)I believe the OP's should correct themselves offering an apology and give the proper method of registering and voting. I would also include giving this custodian a referral to iSidewith.com or another similar type of website in order to assist the custodian in learning more about the candidate they have discussed and how they might match up in positions.
Everyone should register and vote.
True Dough
(16,515 posts)So if he figures out that you misled him he is liable to beat you with a broom stick. Watch your back!
OnDoutside
(19,837 posts)grubbs
(356 posts)Mildly amusing, but evil nonetheless.
Siwsan
(25,792 posts)I'd just say to him, "I know you said you never voted, but I just want to make sure that you know you have to register to vote, first."
Otherwise, his reaction when he gets turned away at the polling place might be to blame you, loudly. to anyone who will listen.
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)Was always taught if I feel guilt about the way I treated someone there is a good reason. I will see him Tuesday and fill him in. I will also engage him about his vote. I know he will be shocked I am a liberal and he seems to like me ok. Maybe I can at least get him thinking.
Thank you for confirming my feelings.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)If you have access to computers at work you might even be able to help him register.
It takes just a few minutes and you can even let him know where his polling place will be.
Your soul will thank you for it.
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)I will tell he needs to register and how.
It is then on him and my conscience will be fine.
apcalc
(4,426 posts)SticksnStones
(2,108 posts)Proud of this place today...
Well done community, well done.
MineralMan
(145,868 posts)that was the wrong approach, I think. I'd have just left him to his own devices, frankly. Generally, I give people who aren't registered to vote the official form, regardless of their political leanings. I truly believe that voting is a real responsibility we should all observe.
However, I don't always engage in encouragement for people I think will vote for Republicans. I do give them the form, knowing that most won't take the time or bother to fill it out if they're not already voters. I do somewhat more for people who indicate that they'll vote for Democrats, though, of course.
Ilsa
(61,573 posts)But let him take responsibility for doing the rest. It will be empowering for him to figure out some of it on his own.
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)But I will also explain to him how the republicans govern against his best interest.
While we do not generally talk politics at work, this guy has for months now. Plus he asked my help.
athena
(4,187 posts)he'll start taking his vote more seriously and look into the two candidates more closely. You never know.
These days, the Clinton campaign is focused on registering voters. Sign up to volunteer at a registration table, and you could make up for his vote many times over. Check out:
https://www.hillaryclinton.com/states/
and enter your zip code to find volunteering opportunities near you.
underahedgerow
(1,232 posts)everything, it's not your responsibility to make sure he votes for a nutjob like trump.
It's fine, well done!
TonyPDX
(962 posts)you should set the guy straight about how to cast his vote. IOW, don't be a dick.
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)TonyPDX
(962 posts)Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)He will never, ever forgive or forget this if you don't - it is a bad thing to do and very counterproductive in terms of the future of the party.
struggle4progress
(116,799 posts)Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)Here in Minnesota, that would be adequate advice.
JI7
(88,721 posts)PJMcK
(21,206 posts)You've made an excellent ethical decision, GulfCoast66. You can clarify that he needs to register before a specific deadline (in some states). If the conversation is polite, you'll demonstrate American democracy by example.
In the United States, there's supposed to be more that binds us than divides us. You've shown that you personally, and Democrats generally, are made of better stuff.
As an aside, you note that this gentleman hasn't voted before. I wonder what percentage of Mr. Tump's supporters are unregistered. I know several loudmouthed right-wingers that don't actually vote. On the other hand, in the Republican primaries, Mr. Trump received over 14 million votes. I guess we'll see what his real support is on November 8th.
Oh, by the way, there is no hell so you're safe! Enjoy the weekend.
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)And the hell part was strictly rhetorical.
HipChick
(25,484 posts)he can look up what is required himself..
Warpy
(109,639 posts)I'd have told him he needed to go down to the courthouse to register and hope he couldn't be bothered to.
That's the best I could do.
treestar
(82,352 posts)Misleading him sort of. Interesting if he would rely on your word. He might ask others ar actually find out from the board of elections. Very young voters seem to have these problems. We forget how innocent we were. I missed my first vote due to not realizing I should get an absentee ballot