Statement of Principle:  All legitimate consent requires the ability to withhold consent; therefore, the legitimate consent of voters requires they be able to withhold their consent in an election to office.

Statement of Purpose:  We are working to enact a Voter Consent law in all 50 states, preferably by adding after the candidate list for each elective office the following permanent line, or otherwise to assist in the enactment of Voter Consent Ballot Options.

   
Typical Current Ballot:
 

(Competitive Race)         ~OR~       (Noncompetitive Race)
[ ]  Candidate A                       [ ]  Candidate A  
[ ]  Candidate B

Voter Options:   Vote for a candidate. If voters do not like any (or the only) candidate for the office, they can either: 1) not vote; or, 2) vote for the least objectionable candidate, the so-called "lesser evil"; or, 3) write-in a name, in jurisdictions allowing it, the so-called "Mickey Mouse option."

Voter Consent Law's Ballot with Binding NOTA Option: 

(Competitive Race)         ~OR~            (Noncompetitive Race)
[ ]  Candidate A                           [ ]  Candidate A  
[ ]  Candidate B                           [ ]  None of the Above; For a New Election
[ ]  None of the Above; For a New Election

Voter Options:   Vote for a candidate or "None of the Above; For a New Election". If "None of the Above; For a New Election" receives the most votes, no candidate is elected to that office and a follow-up by-election, with new candidates, is held. Note that even candidates running unopposed must obtain voter consent to be elected. See: Model Voter Consent law ( pdf ) (See also NOTA options for a discussion of the range of binding and non-binding NOTA Voter Consent ballot options.)

There are many reasons why a NOTA based Voter Consent option is both useful and necessary.
 

Reader Poll:  I think a binding NOTA ballot option for the voters of my state is a:  

[ ] Wonderful Idea

[ ] Good Idea

[ ] Not Sure

[ ] Bad Idea

[ ] Terrible Idea

[ ] None of the Above

                    (When you make a selection, you will be sending an e-mail to us, so please add a comment if you wish. Please note: by sending an e-mail you may reveal your e-mail address to us, which we will keep strictly private.)
 

We invite you to:

  Learn more about NOTA, Voter Consent laws, and Voters for None of the Above.  

  Sign our national e-Petition calling for enactment of Voter Consent laws.  

  Use the power you already have to withhold consent in elections to office.

  Find out how you can enact Voter Consent laws.

  Donate Money in support of passing Voter Consent laws giving you the power to withhold your consent in elections to office.

(See also NOTA options for a discussion of the range of binding and non-binding NOTA Voter Consent ballot options.)


Copyright ©  Voters for None of the Above     All rights reserved.
e-Petition, Voters for None of the Above , VNOTA, √ NOTA™ and √ None of the Above™ are trademarks of Voters for None of the Above.
Revised: 12/28/06.