The first round of regional and departmental elections was marked by a record abstention.
Internet users explain to us why they did not go to vote.
If the non-distribution of professions of faith dissuaded some from going to vote, it was above all mistrust of political personnel that was expressed.
Voters no longer trust elected officials and believe that political debates are too far removed from their concerns.
Some also plead for the recognition of the blank vote.
It started with an impression. “Hey, there aren't many people in the polling station. And then it was confirmed in the evening, when the abstention figures fell. With a rate set between 66.1% and 68.6% according to the polling institutes, the abstention from these regional and departmental elections (yes, because we also voted for the departmental) was the highest of all the polls of the Fifth Republic, excluding referendum.
Why ? On the side of oppositions from the left as from the right, unsurprisingly, the culprits are the government. "There has never been such a mess," accused Christian Jacob, the leader of the Republicans. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, for his part, calls for a commission of inquiry on the conditions of the vote because of all the hiccups that have been revealed, starting with the professions of faith of the candidates not distributed to a large number of voters. But since the best explanation for this abstention is that of the voters themselves, we asked you why you shunned these elections.
First explanation, and the most logical: to go and vote, you have to know that there are elections. But "my friends and I did not even know that we had to go and vote," says Lucas, 23 years old. Perhaps they are among the unlucky voters who did not receive the candidates' professions of faith in their mailbox. If you are one of those people who do not fully understand how these few leaflets can affect a vote, you have a first use there. The second is to present the candidates' programs. What Alice, 40, was lacking, so she couldn't make up her mind. As for Albéric, 55, and his wife, “we took this as a lack of respect and a new inequality between urban and rural areas. We will vote in the second round if we receive the professions of faith in time. "
The divide between the political class and the voters
But for the vast majority of Internet users who responded to our call, this story of leaflets is basically of little importance.
They would not have come anyway, so great is their mistrust of the political class.
“I have always voted since I was 18, but today, at 43, I no longer believe in these people who represent us,” explains Peggy.
The debates are sterile, each defends his little piece of power, blames himself.
In short, it sometimes feels like a kindergarten yard, even within the same party.
Nothing constructive emerges, unfortunately.
I think that many of them are disconnected from the daily life of the French and do not come out until election time.
"
This feeling of gulf between politicians and voters is widely shared in the responses we have received. Voters no longer want political politics, alliance and barrage games, to get back to the subjects that really concern them. "I did not go to the polls in view of the sad spectacle offered to us by the candidates," explains Richard, 56 years old. As Mr. Delahousse underlines, the French no longer support this mediocrity. We deserve another debate, that of clear ideas, of the real issues. "And even if we stick to the ideas and measures proposed by the candidates," what is the point of voting for a program that has no legal obligation to be held? »Asks Claire, 23 years old. "Even if it means being taken for a fool, you might as well be until the end", adds Manu, 65 years old.
An archaic voting system
Another argument put forward by Internet users, which comes up with each election like the hot chestnuts with the approach of Christmas, that of the blank vote. "As long as it does not have real recognition, it will remain the same circus", advance Rémi, 32, supported by Peggy, who specifies that "if the blank vote was recognized as such during the elections, I would be went to vote. Clément, for his part, pleads for automatic registration on the electoral rolls and for a modernization of the voting system, which would correspond more to current practices. “It's an archaic system, which no longer suits the new generation. I would like my political engagement to go through a digital vote, simplified and achievable from anywhere, in a few minutes. Maybe through my tax number or social security number, argues the 30-year-old.Today I don't know which voters list I am registered on and how to change it and I don't want to worry about it. "
All the results of
Last reason to explain the abstention, Sunday was Father's Day and it was raining really hard.
So between the desire not to get wet, the preparations for lunch, and the reception of her family, "the closing hour of the poll has arrived" without Evelyne, 77, "being able to free herself.
Just like Angèle, 25, who "rather than voting for people who do not match [her]," "preferred to stay with [her] father.
Next Sunday, apart from the Fernands, it won't be anyone's birthday.
Meet shortly after 8 p.m. to see if the record abstention from the first round is confirmed in the second.
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Abstention
Regional elections
Vote
Departmental elections
Elections
Blank vote