My Voting Algorithm and the Connecticut Senate Race

Several months ago, I shared my voting “algorithm” with folks at the Actuarial Outpost. I just realized that I’m not entirely sure it’s a viable formula in the Senate race here in Connecticut.

Here’s the algorithm, annotated:

1. If a particular race is not close:
   1. Vote for the Libertarian candidate if there is one (there isn’t)
   2. Else, vote for the leading third party or independent candidate if there isn’t an LP’er (Does Lieberman count as a third party candidate? What about Schlesinger, since he’s filling the role of leading third party candidate?)
   3. Else, move on to rule 2.

    

2. If the race is for an executive or legislative position at the federal or state level:
   1. In the unlikely event that I actually like a candidate or dislike his/her opponent, I’ll vote for him/her/it. (I don’t like any of them.)
   2. Else, for executive offices, I’ll vote for the candidate of the party opposite the party expected to control the Senate. (Doesn’t apply.)
   3. Else, for legislative positions, I’ll vote for the candidate of the party opposite the party expected to control the White House/Governor’s Mansion. (That would be a Democrat, a label which applies to both Lamont and Lieberman)
   4. If my candidate is not clearly identified by 2a-2c, I move on to Rule 3.

    

3. When all else fails, I vote against the incumbent, on principle. (But is that Lamont or Schlesinger?)
    
4. If there is no incumbent, or if I am unaware of who the incumbent is, I vote Republican. (But is this Schlesinger, the official GOP candidate, or Lieberman, the defacto GOP candidate?)
    
5. If I haven’t cast a vote by this point, I’ll vote for the Democratic candidate. (But Lamont and Lieberman are both Dems.)
    
6. If my vote hasn’t been determined by points 1-5, I’ll toss a coin or roll a die. (Note to self: Bring a d6 to the booth on election day, since coins only have 2 sides.)