Should ballot papers have a box for 'None of the Above'?

Question

Seeing that politicians are so weak and hopeless at the moment and there does not seem much to choose between the main political parties which is putting people off voting at all, should we put a 'none of the above' boxes on ballot papers so that we get politicians who actually have to work for us and in our best interests rather than their own to get any chance of election rather than just being seen as best of a bad lot?

Answer 1

no, why go?  

Answer 2

Absolutely.Then at least you've made your opinion known!

Answer 3

im sure i vaguely remember a friend once telling me that she doesnt like to waste her vote but she doesnt think the people available are suitable so she just goes and tears up her ballot paper!

Answer 4

You know, you can always just write in a candidate.  Chances are he or she won't win, but its better than voting for someone you don't like.

Answer 5

'None of the above' is 'stay at home and don't vote'.

Answer 6

if people dont like any of the candidates they can just choose not to vote.

Answer 7

There should be but I'm certain that the Politicians would brick themselves if we all voted for "None of the above", it would reveal to us that they are indeed a bunch of out of touch, lying self-servers who to be honest are expendable.

However if they allowed a "None of the above" box it would backfire in their faces and they know it would that's why they would never allow it, this is why I spoil and de-face my ballot to show my discontent and disgust towards them.

Answer 8

Its called dont vote.

You know in Russia, you can actually Vote none of the above then they have to do the election over with new people. Wouldn't that be cool.

Answer 9

the way to show you disapprove of the candidates on offer is to wright to the party's concerned i/e the labour Tory's etc, and protest at their choice of candidate explain what you expect from them, tell them your views, don't just pick the best of a bad bunch, and if their manifesto stinks tell them so and tell them you will use your voting rights to elect the monster raving loony party in their place.

Answer 10

Are you in the UK? If so have you ever noticed that "spoiled papers" are reported in the election results? This is the traditional form of voting for "none of the above".  Put a line through the lot, thus invalidating the vote and registering that you don't support any of the candidates.

I've never understood why this isn't explained to everyone... Probably because everyone would do it...

Answer 11

I don't think they should have a "none of the above" box since that would be the same as not voting and would also provide the possibility of of not having anyone elected. I do feel that they should provide a space where someone would be able to write in a vote. I also feel that a write in vote should be counted, logged, and reported on by the media to give an accurate report of the voter turn-out. Instead, now they simply post "Unknown" and leave it at that. I feel it is their responsibility that is someone votes for a viable political figure, than that should be noted.  

Answer 12

Then who would you have run the country if everybody voted none of the above?

You do need a body to fill the seat on January 20th.

This is a noble try but the closest we came to it was when 18% of the voters cast their votes for Ross Perot 1992. This was a "None of the above" protest vote. And it was a message that was heard loud and clear in both parties. But the lesson only lasted through the 96 election and has now been forgotten.

tcw

To Michele S

NO! that would not be cool. We waste enough time doing this once every 4 years.

Answer 13

Yes but it will never happen because then they would have to stop being self serving greedy pigs!

Answer 14

I have commented about this in my web site and I think we should have a box to put our mark in to say that none of the candidates are suitable. We should then see a real reflection of what our country thinks when it comes to politics as I believe that this would force all politicians to rethink their policies

Answer 15

yes, but I also fear chaos.

What if "none of the above" wins?

I think that voting a third party candidate is the closest option we have now, though that only adds votes to the person you may not support at all, as when Nader helped Bush win.  

Answer 16

which politicians do you want if you don't want the politicians on your ballot paper?  Who else is there?  Maybe run yourself?

Answer 17

There was a lot of talk about making it illegal not to vote at the time of the last general election. If it were to become illegal then the government would have to add a "none of the above" option in order for democracy to truly be served. Adding an option such as this at the present time would be a bit silly as we could all just stay at home and not bother.  

However it would be funny to see the party leaders squirm. ^__^