Why are some people reluctant to discuss politics and/or the candidate they support?

Some folks want their political choices kept to themselves & that’s fine. Better to vote & keep it to yourself than assure the certainty of never revealing your position on anything by refusing to vote.

It can be a very personal thing for a lot of propel and can easily turn into arguments.

As @stanleybmanly wrote, some people view their votes as personal and private matters, not unlike how much they weigh or their financial net worth. Other people simply don’t enjoy heated discussions, which can easily turn combative and argumentative, so they demur; politics can be both the fuel and the fire in a conversation.

Because the flaming militants will eat you alive. I keep my views private.

It’s a matter of conscience and conviction, and no one should feel obligated or pressured to expose their own. We have secret ballots for a reason.

I discuss my political views with some people, but there are others to whom I would not so much as drop a hint of my preferences. It would only lead to utterly fruitless wrangling.

People get passionate about their political choices, and discussing it after they have made up their mind can lead to heated arguments. It is easier to keep the peace if they keep quiet.

I wish my parents would have discussed politics with me. I was apathetic for years and I think it’s because I wasn’t informed.

My husband and I discuss politics around our children and our 12 year old daughter is impressing her teachers with her knowledge. We want her to be an informed citizen who will go out and vote when she becomes of age.

These days when you can get shot just for using your phone in a movie theater or accidentally cutting into another driver’s lane, its’s probably prudent to keep your political views private, at least around strangers. Too many guns and too much political turmoil in our society.

Especially older people may have been conditioned to feel their vote should be secret. My father never specifically told me who he voted for. I think he very strongly believed that should not be revealed to others. I had a good idea of his political ideology and he was very open to discussing political issues. I also don’t think maintaining secrecy about our vote should preclude us from discussing ‘politics’ generally. My family discuss politics, but I’m cautious not to try to persuade my children to vote as I do. I think they need to make their own decisions about who to vote for. I recall a woman I once knew who told everyone she had ordered her family to vote a particular way in the federal election. I felt that was quite wrong.

Also, given how contentious political discussion can be, some people may feel insecure about putting their opinions out there. They may feel others will challenge them and argue with them about their beliefs. Many people really don’t like confrontation and so will avoid discussing issues that might lead to conflict.

My father was openly a Republican for years. He was raised by strict Irish Catholics, worked for the police department, the whole nine. He listened to Rush on the radio.

He voted for Dukakis. I know this because I pulled the lever.

His open political positing was a smokescreen to make his family happy and his work life easier.

I’m sure others do the same thing.

There are certain issues you shouldn’t bring up in conversation unless you’re looking for a fight. Politics are one, religion is another.

I agree totally with @Earthbound_Misfit.
I think it used to be taboo among polite people to specifically state who you voted for.

We discussed politics in my family, I did quite a bit of campaigning when I was a kid, and there were politicians in my family, yet I still don’t recall my parents specifically saying who they voted for.

I’m pretty sure my dad voted for Nixon, I’m pretty sure my mom did not.

These days, I’m embarrassed to admit I voted.

Some people come from (or have antecedents from) parts of the world where voting for “the wrong person” – and having that become known by other wrong people – can get you beaten, burned out of your home, or worse.

One is not obligated to share. As discussed above, finances, weight, sexual preferences, what the hell I had for dinner last night, etc. Many mistake revealed information for license.

I don’t discuss it with most people because I’m not into arguing or having to defend myself.

I will discuss it with my daughter when the time comes and she can make her own decisions. My parents discuss their political opinions and it’s often our conversation at their house.

We frequently discuss local politics at work because we work for an organization that endorses candidates, attends fundraisers and we are personal friends with many politicians.

The main thing I will say to people in my rare conversations about politics is that I believe very strongly in a woman’s right to choose.

I don’t really understand the reluctance, either, at least in safe situations (no threat of bodily harm or loss of job). Most of y’all know I’m open about everything, though, so talking about weight or finances or religion doesn’t bother me either. From experience, I know I’m the outlier in this way, but I don’t understand why. My kids for sure know who I vote for, and why (along with my stance on religion, my general financial picture, etc.)...but their dad doesn’t reveal anything of this nature to them.

@augustlan “loss of job”

Old-time wisdom says never to discuss sex, religion, or politics in the workplace, and I think that’s a good rule to live by.