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When you think that a feature request in a question should not be implemented (e.g. because you do not agree with the motivations provided) should you do either/both:

  • Downvote the question, so that by keeping a low score, it's clear it should not be implemented? Or
  • Answer motivating why the feature request is not valid, or upvote an already present answer?
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  • Just hang around meta and your will see how the regulars act. That should give you your answer over time. There are far to many variables to answer. You could stop both, or either, or neither. All depends. – psubsee2003 Mar 28 '15 at 1:42
  • @psubsee2003 I can see only total scores, not by how many up and down votes was composed. – Antonio Mar 28 '15 at 1:44
  • @psubsee2003 Many might explain in the comments why they disagree, but that won't say if they downvoted or not – Antonio Mar 28 '15 at 1:46
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    You don't need to see vote splits to see how people act. Don't be so worried about how to act right away. Just pay attention and you'll figure it out. The idea of when to vote, answer, comment, or some combination of all 3 will come with experience – psubsee2003 Mar 28 '15 at 1:49
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    @Antonio: See How can I see the number of up / down votes on my own posts without 1000 rep? – Werner Mar 28 '15 at 1:50
  • @Werner, thanks, but Psubsee2003 suggested to study the general behaviour of regulars towards feature requests questions, and I can only do that by checking questions asked by other people. – Antonio Mar 28 '15 at 2:01
  • @psubsee2003 And this question got downvoted because...? – Antonio Mar 28 '15 at 2:10
  • @Antonio: I know that. You mentioned though that you can't see up/down-votes per post, only (total) score. The linked post shows how you can achieve this. – Werner Mar 28 '15 at 2:38
  • @Werner Only on my own posts, correct? – Antonio Mar 28 '15 at 2:44
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    @Antonio: No. Timeline viewing is available to all. – Werner Mar 28 '15 at 2:46
  • @Werner Amazing! :) – Antonio Mar 28 '15 at 2:49
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    possible duplicate of When should I vote? – Patrick Hofman Mar 28 '15 at 12:43
  • @PatrickHofman I believe there the answer was very hidden (in a secondary answer), while here it's very clear, but ok. – Antonio Mar 28 '15 at 20:12
  • @ant true. I added it a while ago since it was missing from that post. It is in like with the faq though. – Patrick Hofman Mar 28 '15 at 20:42
  • @Robert: Why was this reopened? – Patrick Hofman Apr 8 '15 at 15:04
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The "What's Meta" page says:

On posts tagged feature-request, voting indicates agreement or disagreement with the proposed change rather than just the quality or usefulness of the post itself.

(Emphasis in the original.)

People are voting such posts to indicate whether the feature should be implemented. You can vote like other folks do.

As with all other votes you cast on SE sites, it is not necessary to comment or answer when you vote. My personal guideline as to whether to answer is: a) should the post be answered, and b) has no one already provided the answer I'd give? It is hard to give a comprehensive set of rules regarding what post should be answered but in brief if the post is well-written and the proposal has a fault that the OP is likely to not have foreseen, then it merits an answer.

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