Tired of Voting While Holding Your Nose? Time for NOTA

[NorthCarolina]

During the recent election many found themselves not liking either candidate, or voting for the lesser of two evils. People argue there is no real difference between the candidates and parties, save for social differences. On matters that pertain to all Americans, such as national health care, impunity and dominance of Wall Street, ending monopolies on cable and communications companies, endless war, the influence of money in elections, minimum wage, and a host of others, both parties really are no different, and voters vote with a clothespin on their nose, upset with their lack of meaningful choices.

Both parties have sold themselves by taking the same enormous sums of money from special interest groups and PAC's, so in fact, there is really no major difference. Congress has become irrelevant to most Americans as both parties no longer represent the average American, but do in fact cater to those represented by special interest groups and large donors. Unless you are very wealthy and donate large sums of campaign money, you are virtually unrepresented. A major study just confirmed what most of us already know. Unless you are represented by a powerful special interest group you have no voice, nor are you represented by your Congress person. You are voiceless, powerless, and have no representation.

(The) solution to this particular problem is a NOTA alternative for voters. It is simple and it forces the establishment to offer real choices to voters.

snip....

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Tired-of-Voting-While-Hold-by-Joseph-Clifford-Corruption_Elections_Illusion_Media-141107-121.html

NOTA - Now this is something I could REALLY get behind. That, and requiring a paper trail for all votes cast. How can we make it happen?

[think]

1. None of the Above. I think I might like that option.... /nt

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. Good idea, if people don't now sit back and wait for a NOTA option on the ballots.

In Illinois, at least, you can undervote now. You go to the polls and just skip the offices on the ballot where you think no one is addressing your concerns. The judges will ask you confirm your undervote and then accept it. It sends the same message as NOTA.

[Scuba]

3. The idea that NOTA will get more votes than both candidates is far-fetched.

If we want to fix things, we need to fix the Democratic Party at the grass roots level.

[NorthCarolina]

4. You can't "fix" the Democratic party...it's been bought and paid for

and "we the people" don't own it. NOTA seems like a good place to start for me. Unless you, or someone, can find a way to funnel more money into the pockets of the Dems than they receive from corporate interests there would be no possibility of a "fix".

[still_one]

5. If you believe that the Democratic party cannot be fixed, then those who share the same vision

should organize and join a party then think is receptive to their needs. The view you are expressing implies that these folks believe that they cannot work within the Democratic party so the answer is NOTA. It would be more productive to join the Green Party, or a party that represent your mind set, or start a new party, though since the Green Party already exists, that would save time.

I don't agree with your assessment that NOTA is a good place to start because it will accomplish very little. I believe working within the Democratic party, but if you believe that is useless, then why not join the greens?

[IggyPops]

6. The only way to get the DNC...

...to listen to your concerns is to make the Green Party a real threat. Once they lose a few elections due to enough votes going to Greens, they'll at least pay lip service to your concerns. Once they're in office, hold them to it.

Also, run candidates that address your issues. That's what primaries are for. No one running that you'd support? Run for office.

[brooklynite]

7. But you won't be doing that here without violating TOS

[dfgrbac]

8. No to NOTA

That is truly a weak idea. Vote for and support the National Initiative to take back our democracy!

[Bluenorthwest]

9. How is voting NOTA any different from writing in Pat Paulson?

How does this bring any actual change of options? As it is I can skip the line or make a joke on the line or vote for myself or Martin Sheen or anyone that crosses my mind. Still says 'no thanks' to the options given.
I don't think it actually addresses any of the actual problems.

[DFW]

12. It is different in one respect

It means "the check (please)" in Romanian.

Otherwise, no difference.

[Recursion]

10. I strongly oppose NOTA options on ballots

First, it's a libertarian talking point. It's intended to show that people never like government, ever.

Second, it is an evasion of responsibility. We nominate our candidates and then elect our politicians.

[Jim Lane]

11. No reason to think this wold accomplish anything

Millions of people already in effect vote NOTA by staying home. The political system carries on anyway.

The linked article says that NOTA "forces the establishment to offer real choices to voters." How, exactly, does it do that? Nevada has had a "None of These Candidates" option on its ballots since 1975, to no discernible effect.

Proponents would have to make a decision about what happens if NOTA gets more votes than any real candidate:

When None of the Above is listed on a ballot, there is the possibility of NOTA receiving a majority or plurality of the vote, and so "winning" the election. In such a case, a variety of formal procedures may be invoked, including having the office remain vacant, having the office filled by appointment, re-opening nominations or holding another election (in a body operating under parliamentary procedure), or it may have no effect whatsoever, as in the state of Nevada, where the next highest total wins regardless.

(from "None of the above" in Wikipedia)

In the case of a Senate or House seat, holding another election would mean only that the state or district would be without representation for a while. It wouldn't suddenly abolish the influence of money.