Rick McGinnis: Why I vote — and why I spoiled my ballot

Rick McGinnis writes:

I’d never done it before. I looked online to see if there was a “proper” way, but ballot-spoiling is apparently like modern jazz: you can do it with as much style as you want, but most people still won’t approve.

My friend and editor Paul Tuns was the first person who ever told me that it spoiling my ballot wasn’t just an option, but a principled one. He ended up voting Tory this time around, but his rationalization included a thought that made the conspicuous gesture of a spoiled ballot seem almost creative:

“So it’s illogical that I’m voting, but that, too, is the beauty of freedom: It doesn’t have to make sense.”

It wasn’t fun. I hope I never have to do it again, but that would mean a future with better politicians and superior politics, and I can’t see that happening.