--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not the voting that's democracy…" description: "\"It's not the voting that's democracy; it's the counting.\" — Tom Stoppard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/tom-stoppard-437_counting_it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it_3207657.png" --- # It's not the voting that's democracy; it's the counting. ![“It's not the voting that's democracy; it's the counting.” quote by Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/tom-stoppard-437_counting_it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it_3207657.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/tom-stoppard-437_counting_it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it_3207657.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/tom-stoppard-437_counting_it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it_3207657.png) > “It's not the voting that's democracy; it's the counting.” [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights that democracy's essence lies in how votes are tallied, not merely in casting them. **In simple terms:** Democracy depends on vote counting, not just voting. Key Takeaway Focus on fair counting processes. Themes democracy election accountability Mood critical reflective Type analytical political When to use this quote - elections - public policy - civic education - media analysis Key Concepts political theory process integrity Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure transparent counting? - What safeguards protect vote integrity? A Different Perspective Counting can be manipulated, undermining trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Counting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counting/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Counting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-counting-5981024/) [Voting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voting/) [Voting Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voting-democracy-1334185/) ## Related quotes > [I talk democracy to these men and women. I tell them that they have the vote, and that theirs is the kingdom and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/i-talk-democracy-to-these-men-and-women-i-tell-them-that-they-have/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [Republicans are systematically and deliberately trying to stop millions of American citizens from voting. What part of democracy are they afraid of? I call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/republicans-are-systematically-and-deliberately-trying-to-stop/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [Democracy is not just about voting but about informed voting. If democracy doesn't have access to reliable sources of information and instead relies on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-martin-skibsted/democracy-is-not-just-about-voting-but-about-informed-voting-if/) [Jens Martin Skibsted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-martin-skibsted/) > [There is us living the Cuban experience that we believe is ours. We do not believe that it is perfect, but it has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-castro-espin/there-is-us-living-the-cuban-experience-that-we-believe-is-ours-we-do/) [Alejandro Castro Espin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-castro-espin/) > [Voters went to the polls in record numbers in 2020 to make their voices heard, and it's crucial that Congress takes action to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/voters-went-to-the-polls-in-record-numbers-in-2020-to-make-their/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Voting is fundamental in our democracy. 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There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-drum/if-robert-heinlein-is-more-to-your-taste-than-george-lucas-if-you-are/) [Kevin Drum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-drum/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More by Tom Stoppard > [If I wanted to change the world, the last thing I would do is write a play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-i-wanted-to-change-the-world-the-last-thing-i-would-do-is-write-a/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [If you want to change something by Tuesday, theater is no good. Journalism is what does that. But, if you want to just alter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-you-want-to-change-something-by-tuesday-theater-is-no-good/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [After all these years, I definitely associate having a pen in my hand with having an ashtray just out of eye line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/after-all-these-years-i-definitely-associate-having-a-pen-in-my-hand/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [The universe is deterministic all right, just like Newton said, I mean it's trying to be, but the only thing going wrong is people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/the-universe-is-deterministic-all-right-just-like-newton-said-i-mean/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [For me, human rights simply endorse a view of life and a set of moral values that are perfectly clear to an eight-year-old child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-me-human-rights-simply-endorse-a-view-of-life-and-a-set-of-moral/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [“What is an artist? For every thousand people there's nine hundred doing the work, ninety doing well, nine doing good, and one lucky bastard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/what-is-an-artist-for-every-thousand-people-there-s-nine-hundred/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Dying is not romantic, and death is not a game which will soon be over... Death is not anything... death is not... It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/dying-is-not-romantic-and-death-is-not-a-game-which-will-soon-be-over/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I'm not interested in clothes; I just like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-m-not-interested-in-clothes-i-just-like-them/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [For 10 years of my life, 3 times a day, I thanked the Lord for what I was about to receive and thanked him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-10-years-of-my-life-3-times-a-day-i-thanked-the-lord-for-what-i/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [You should not translate for more than two hours at a time. After that, you lose your edge, the language becomes clumsy, rigid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/you-should-not-translate-for-more-than-two-hours-at-a-time-after-that/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [No matter how imperfect things are, if you've got a free press everything is correctable, and without it everything is concealable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/no-matter-how-imperfect-things-are-if-you-ve-got-a-free-press/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. Out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/we-must-be-born-with-an-intuition-of-mortality-before-we-know-the/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Eternity's a terrible thought. I mean, where's it all going to end?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/eternity-s-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-where-s-it-all-going-to-end/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [There is truth and falsehood in a comma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/there-is-truth-and-falsehood-in-a-comma/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) [Explore all 559 Tom Stoppard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## More Counting quotes > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [We have to be innovative, we have to be fresh, we have to be new. People are counting on that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-barthel/we-have-to-be-innovative-we-have-to-be-fresh-we-have-to-be-new-people/) [Sarah Barthel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-barthel/) > [There is us living the Cuban experience that we believe is ours. We do not believe that it is perfect, but it has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-castro-espin/there-is-us-living-the-cuban-experience-that-we-believe-is-ours-we-do/) [Alejandro Castro Espin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-castro-espin/) > [I don't count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. That is when I start counting, because then it really counts.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-don-t-count-my-sit-ups-i-only-start-counting-when-it-starts-hurting/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [They're counting on your patriotism to distract you from their plunder. They're counting on you to be standing at attention with your hand over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/they-re-counting-on-your-patriotism-to-distract-you-from-their/) [Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/) > [“were counting on her. She couldn’t let them down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-leclair/were-counting-on-her-she-couldn-t-let-them-down/) [Laurie LeClair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-leclair/) > [Suddenly the full long wail of a ship's horn surged through the open window and flooded the dim room - a cry of boundless,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukio-mishima/suddenly-the-full-long-wail-of-a-ship-s-horn-surged-through-the-open/) [Yukio Mishima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukio-mishima/) > [One foot in front of the other, counting tiles on the floor so I don't have to focus the blur of painted smiles, fake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-hopkins/one-foot-in-front-of-the-other-counting-tiles-on-the-floor-so-i-don-t/) [Ellen Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-hopkins/) > [Why do I tire of counting sheep?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owl-city/why-do-i-tire-of-counting-sheep/) [Owl City](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owl-city/) > [Beware of making a woman cry. God is counting her tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/beware-of-making-a-woman-cry-god-is-counting-her-tears/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Builders insist that success may never come without a compelling personal commitment to something you care about and would be willing to do with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-i-porras/builders-insist-that-success-may-never-come-without-a-compelling/) [Jerry I. Porras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-i-porras/) > [A business must have a conscience as well as a counting house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/montague-burton/a-business-must-have-a-conscience-as-well-as-a-counting-house/) [Montague Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/montague-burton/) > [The lure in art collecting and its financial rewards, not counting for a moment its aesthetic, cultural and intellectual rewards, is like the trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/the-lure-in-art-collecting-and-its-financial-rewards-not-counting-for/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The best part of our lives we pass in counting on what is to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-best-part-of-our-lives-we-pass-in-counting-on-what-is-to-come/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [For was that all, she thought bleakly, that love ever was? Something that saved one from loneliness? A sort of insurance policy against not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-waters/for-was-that-all-she-thought-bleakly-that-love-ever-was-something/) [Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/) [Browse all 454 Counting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's not the voting that's democracy; it's the counting.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Stoppard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it-s-the-counting/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Counting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it-s-the-counting/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/tom-stoppard-437_counting_it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it_3207657.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/tom-stoppard-437_counting_it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it_3207657.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/tom-stoppard-437_counting_it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it_3207657.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's not the voting that's democracy; it's the counting.” — Tom Stoppard", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tom Stoppard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's not the voting that's democracy;...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it-s-the-counting/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/it-s-not-the-voting-that-s-democracy-it-s-the-counting/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```