Another way that I know I simply don't belong in humanity?

Political smear campaigns don't work on me. But, evidently, they work on everyone else. That's how a noodle like Joe Biden got elected with more enthusiasm than a magnetic personality like Barack Obama. Anti-Trump energy was a more powerful motivator in 2020 than pro-Obama optimism was in 2008.

So what's the best way to motivate people to vote?

With a strong, encouraging ad in favor of your candidate? Or an ad that points out the opposition's flaws without mentioning your candidate at all?

All evidence indicates the latter is a far more effective means to inspire voting.

And that’s what I've never been able to understand.

A smear ad will inspire me to NOT vote for someone. But that doesn't mean I'll turn around and vote for someone else. I still need a reason to vote FOR a candidate, and the reason can't be "if you don't, the other guy will win."

That's just not good enough.

Take the upcoming runoff election in Georgia, for instance.

My socials are littered with anti-Herschel Walker ads. I could tell you every mistake that man ever made (both small and enormous). You know what I couldn't tell you? His opponent's name.

Because why would anyone need to know that or anything else about his political positions?

That campaign strategy is somewhat effective on me. Were I a Georgia voter, I wouldn't vote for Herschel Walker because of all the things unearthed by the campaign.

But would I then vote for his opponent based solely on the bad things I know about Walker?

Nope.

If you want my vote, you gotta earn it. Doesn't matter how terrible and horrifying a candidate is, that knowledge alone isn't enough to get me to support his opponent.

I simply wouldn't vote.

And you can chastise me for being civically irresponsible all you want. But blindly voting for one candidate whom you know nothing about JUST because you fear his opponent isn't doing your duty as a responsible citizen*

*Obviously I'm not saying all (insert Walker opponent name, here) voters haven't done their homework concerning who they're actually supporting. I'm simply saying that I believe our country has taken an unhealthy turn by embracing fear as the primary voting incentive. I won't be part of it.