In any election, should "none of the above" be a valid choice?

[msc545]

I think it should be because all it means is "I don't like any of the shit being offered".

[NathanDavis]

I think that's what I... along with 80 million others decide to go with every election turn, lol

since we do not like any of the above... we just don't show up to vote

and yes, if "none of the above" counted as a candidate... it would have won most elections in the past 12 years or so, if not all of them, lmao

[Sevenpointfive]

why would you show up to vote "none of the above" if staying home was the equivalent?

[msc545]

@Sevenpointfive just to make the point, and also because at least an election worker will see it.

[NathanDavis]

Aussies have their own way, since the vote is compulsory over there and there's fines if you don't

[Chazmatazz269]

😂😂😂
Sure, but it’s not a good choice because you’re basically defaulting to whoever they appoint. That’s essentially what you’re saying with a write-in. You would think that the internet is a potent enough source for networking that the people of the US could elect a president through write-ins. At the very least, we could prove the farce of “democracy” this country. I guarantee that if we elected a president that neither major party endorsed, that the electoral college would override the election results. Then a proper overthrow of our corrupt government could take place.

[goaded]

Yes, I think it would be helpful. Better still (and more efficient) would be instant runoff voting so that votes expressing your political preferences are not "wasted". (You could still have none of the above, but with a wider choice "above".)

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

I think in theory it might sound nice, but in practical application what would happen if there is a ground swell of none of the above as either a troll attempt gone viral or just legit bad candidates? Are we supposed to leave those positions unfilled? Does the old politician get to stay in power until a new one is selected?

Besides, we already have something similar in a two party system and that's a vote for a third party.

[exitseven]

it would be interesting if that happened

[Sevenpointfive]

i think every vote should be like how they vote on survivor. and if you wanted to look up someone's vote, there would be a link showing you holding up a hand written legible sign with your candidate on it. there would be no doubts. it is impractical and doesn't allow anonymity, but that's how it should be.

[msc545]

I disagree, anonymity is way too important.

[Sevenpointfive]

that's crazy! why? i get how you feel about things being personal and not other people's business, but that's also really scary. not knowing how, what, why people think the way they do. but that should never be such a problem that it creates more than a heated debate.

[msc545]

Because inevitably there are some people that will attempt and succeed in intimidating other people to vote a particular way. That is a big reason for anonymity.

[c704710]

Yes! A binding "none of the above" should disqualify all the candidates on that ballot line and another special election for that office should be held ASARP

I’ve thought this through. There are only three real downsides. Cost of repeated special elections. Low voter turnout for repeated special elections. Long vacancies because of repeated special elections. All three are easily solved with a single solution. Voters are ticketed/fined for not voting in repeated special elections. A vote for NOTA is a yes vote for a potential tax on the voters (you must pay time or money). The system is self-balancing.

[OneViewpoint]

No I think ranked choice voting should be the default. It's a step in the right direction.

"None of the above" is already on the ballot with write in votes. You can vote for Spiderman if you want.

[Sandman31]

We can't just leave things unfilled. It's not a practical solution. It can be used to make a statement against the candidates that they are widely disliked if that vote is popular, but ultimately, someone has to be picked, even if they're terrible, as they often are.

[Anonymous]

Choice between Time Machine to save humanity from voting past incompetent leadership and corporate whores or select current candidates on the ballot….

Probably would take the time machine.

I would take time machine, everytime.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[beefcakebradybatson]

That's why ranked-choice voting should be instituted.

[Bloodparadise]

Yes when the available choices doesn't seem amiable

[DrPepper12]

Modern sane democracies have this spoiling the ballot procedure. Alas, USA not so much

[ABC1x1x]

Just stay home. Voting for nobody is pointless. Nobody cares that you are a fence sitter or dont like either.

[hafinjun]

Yes and if NOTA wins they should have to come back with different candidates and try again

[CaptainSmartass]

We should abolish the house of commons (properly called House Of Degenerates) instead.

#PoliticiansForPrison2026

Simples...

[exitseven]

sure, just write it in.

[Little_Bumblebee]

That's where you vote with a blank paper.

[Titlover01]

Would be nice.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it should, definitely a good idea.