A Modest Proposal

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

For many years I have advocated for a law in Arizona which would require the option "None of The Above" to appear for every elective office on every ballot, in both primary and general elections.

As you might imagine, I have received less than an enthusiastic response to this modest proposal.

Politicians are always seeking ways to ensure their continuity in office with the least effort possible. So despite the so-called Independent Redistricting Commission, most legislative districts in Arizona have been gerrymandered to create "safe" districts with a lopsided voter registration edge favoring the majority party in that district. More often than not this results in the minority party not even running a candidate or only token opposition with little real opportunity of scoring an upset win.

Most legislative contests are decided in the party primary where hard-core party activists dominate what is generally a low voter turnout contest, despite independents being allowed to vote in party primaries (independent turnout in primaries is even lower than for party regulars). The result is that highly partisan candidates tend to be elected to office in the primary by a small number of hard-core party activists in gerrymandered "safe" districts. The general election in November is merely a formality in most cases. This is why there is so much voter apathy in "safe" districts. It is a rational decision not to vote when the contest has already been decided and the voter does not have the option of casting a protest vote.

Putting "None of The Above" on the ballot for elective offices in primary and general elections would give voters the right to cast a protest vote against the choice of candidates. If I am dissatisfied with my choices, I should possess the right to cast a protest vote.

At best, this will encourage greater voter turnout, especially in November, and provide a more accurate gauge of support for the candidates who are elected to office. It is easy to win in a landslide when you are running unopposed in a "safe" district. "None of The Above" may encourage greater humility from candidates who run for office in "safe" districts.

At worst, "None of the Above" may actually be the top vote getter, forcing an entrenched incumbent from a "safe" district from office, or preventing a fringe candidate from advancing beyond his or her party primary. It would be a humiliating rejection by the electorate. In a general election, it would force a special election from among a new slate of candidates.

Given that our current state legislature is grossly incompetent and an abject failure by any measurable standard, none of the GOP insane clown posse in charge should be returned to office. But many of them are running in gerrymandered '"safe" districts where the contest will be decided in the party primary – with a very real possibility that fringe extremists even worse than the current bunch may be elected. A voter should possess the right to say "no" in November by casting a protest vote for "None of The Above."

Contact your state legislators and demand this option.