I’m trying to figure out if anyone would change their vote if there were different candidates, and what sorts of people fall into which categories: Always a D or R, depends on the situation/person (let us know what matters), sitting this one out, used to sit out but voting this time, or other (please explain). More than just the people here, I’m curious about any other people who you know vote in particular ways.
I vote in a solidly blue state, so for about 20 years before the last election, I voted 3rd party generally as a protest to the platforms of the 2 parties, especially the drug war, mass incarceration, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and climate change.
Over time I think we’ve made considerable progress on these issues, and though we aren’t 100% where I want to be, I have no problem voting Biden in this and last election to show solidarity against Trump.
Even though I really disliked Biden last election I still voted against Trump and after seeing what he accomplished in his first term, which is probably more than any Democrat in my lifetime, I have no qualms about voting for him again. Obviously I don’t like his position on Israel, but it’s the same of every D in my lifetime, and when the alternative is a fascist USA which will likely lead to the loss of Europe also to fascism, I have to suck it up.
But to answer your question, yes I always consider the candidates. I have even registered R before to vote in their primary because I felt it meant more than voting in the D primary.
I have democratic relatives that register Republican because their local elections ALWAYS go to republicans and they want the least-bad republican to win the primary – even if they then vote against that person in the general election.