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Does one vote matter?

In 2012 John doubted his vote mattered much yet voted anyway; by 2016 he argued it matters even when it won't tip an election. Hank has said since 2012 that every vote counts: non-voters together would decide many elections, and leaders listen to those who vote.

Axis: matters a lot ... matters little

Positions by date: 12 records in 12 videos. The position was refined (2012, 2016), never reversed, in these records.

John

date how position video
2012-05-08 refine John says he likes voting and is grateful to vote but doesn't think his vote matters much, because microbes rather than voters are history's most important actors; he votes anyway: 'I vote. I count.' Tiny Chickens Invade, But Still I Vote 00:01:21
2016-08-09 refine John argues your vote matters even when it won't tip the election: not voting makes a state look less politically diverse, and the combined votes of many non-voters would change outcomes. Why I Didn't Vote (And Six Reasons You Might Not) 00:01:26
2018-11-02 restate John suggests that anyone worried they might not vote ask a friend to make sure they vote on Tuesday, and says please vote: it matters. Let Us Now Praise the Panda Person 00:01:03
2019-09-03 restate John says it is no coincidence that the structures of power listen less to young people; voting is a central way to force them to listen. Death, Love, and John's Religion: The Big Questions Take Over Question Tuesday 00:01:56
2025-11-13 restate John says those lucky enough to have a say in their governance should use it by talking to their leaders, which really makes a difference. Fighting TB in Kids: A Discussion with Doctors without Borders 00:55:08

Hank

date how position video
2012-09-21 first on record Hank: one vote may not decide who wins, but every vote counts toward how politicians perceive their electorate. You. Must. Vote. 00:01:06
2014-10-31 restate Hank holds that one vote matters: 'my vote won't matter' is a failure of imagination, since young non-voters together would decide thousands of elections. Ten Terrible Reason to not Vote (and two good ones) 00:02:43
2016-08-05 restate Hank holds that voting matters: not voting is no protest, if everyone reasoned that one vote never decides, one drunk voter would; local elections are often decided by one person. Our Massive Project: How to Vote in Every State 00:01:06
2020-09-11 restate Hank says elected leaders listen to voters more than to the average American because voters hire and fire them, so turn yourself into a voter: that is how you get served. If you don't go… 00:00:58
2020-10-23 restate Reason seven: that one vote rarely decides an election should only discourage would-be autocrats; we are doing this together, and that is what democracy is. 10 Reasons to Vote RIGHT NOW 00:01:56
2021-10-13 restate Like voting: Hank knew his one vote in a red state with three electoral votes would not affect the presidential election, but voted, since if everyone thinks that, no one votes, and that is no democracy. The Web of Care 00:02:07
2024-10-18 restate Hank tells viewers not to let internet clout chasers convince them voting doesn't matter: the richest, most powerful people always vote, since it is the one way they have the same power as everyone else. My Ballot Made Me Angry 00:02:10

Background

date how position video
2008-05-06 background Urging Indiana and North Carolina viewers to vote, John reminds them their vote counts (with a Count Chocula pun). (playful) Hank Would Think This Is Awesome: The Project 00:01:05
2022-08-19 background Repeating his Twitter line, Hank calls voting the butt wiping of democracy: it doesn't solve every problem and isn't all you should do, but it is low-lift and worth doing. (playful) What if a lot of the Cynicism is Unjustified??? 00:03:05

Timeline notes

  • John: first recorded event is refine (earlier stance may be outside 2007–2026 or unrecorded)