Objections deserve a real answer.

The project can be useful without being representative, and critical without giving voting instructions. Here are its limits.

“Not voting can affect the result.”

Yes: participating or not changes the set of votes cast, and the consequences depend on the election. The project does not claim abstention is consequence-free. It sets one condition: no vote without verifiable commitments. You remain free to vote and to put your vote on the line with the pledge at the same time.

“Researchers already study the reasons.”

Correct. Insee’s participation research and surveys such as Ipsos in 2022 already exist. Appstention adds voluntary public contributions. It replaces neither those methods nor a representative sample.

“A counter does not change institutions.”

True. The intended value is documentary: making reasons and testimonies visible. A first report is planned at 100 confirmed declarations. We promise neither automatic reform nor a changed election result.

“People can bypass the counters.”

Yes. One person can create more than one email address. The pledge, with no email, verifies no identity, and people sharing a connection may be grouped together. These limits are disclosed. Declarations or votes on the line are not a certified count of unique voters.

“Your analyses have an editorial stance.”

They are critical readings, not a scientific measurement of manipulation. Source, fact and interpretation are separated to allow disagreement. Report an inaccurate quotation, weak source or questionable argument: scrutiny applies to this site too.