NOTA worth a look

Last week Rep. Roger Eddy filed two separate bills that would add “None Of The Above” (NOTA) to the ballot in all general and consolidated elections (not primaries):

HB2784- the tame version; the option would be ‘non-binding’ with no actual effect on the election outcome

HB2785- the one with teeth; if NOTA received the most votes, a second election would be called within 3 months with the previous losing candidates barred from running

This is not a new idea here or elsewhere; dozens of other states and nations have tossed it around. Nevada is the only state to bite, implementing a ‘non-binding’ version in 1976. Since that time, NOTA has received an average of 8% in each Nevada election. It has been the highest vote getter in several Congressional primaries.

A nonpartisan organization called “Voters for None of the Above” has been trumpeting the call for a long while. Part of their explanation:

Politicians, knowing that the electorate can register a NOTA vote, will be more responsive to their constituents. They will also be less likely to engage in negative campaign tactics, such as name-calling, innuendo, character assassination, and dirty tricks.

An angry and alienated electorate with the ability to vote NOTA can remove both candidates from the running. With NOTA, candidates would have to give the voters a reason to vote for them, not just against the other side. Even unopposed candidates could lose if the voters deem them unworthy. NOTA would give party leaders an incentive to endorse candidates based on merit.

The Iowa legislature introduced a binding version of the bill just last month, and several other states have some version on the docket.

In Tennessee, David “None of the Above” Gatchell (his legal middle name) has run in several statewide races in an effort to raise awareness to the cause. His campaign manager is his dog ‘Pugsly’ and they travel the state under the slogan “We are quitters, and darn proud of it.” If victorious he has promised a timely resignation and call for a special election.

Generally, once things get to that over-the-top level of ‘gimmicky-ness,’ I get turned off. But NOTA is worth at least 3 minutes of thought. What would the impact be in Illinois, if any?

The idea can be evaluated on many levels, and the binding version conjures up countless questions of cost and redundancy with increased runoffs. But if nothing else, I like it as a barometer to understand how things really sit….

The governor’s race immediately comes to mind. I think it is clear that dissatisfaction with major party candidates helped Rich Whitney earn a respectable 10% of the vote in November. How many were protest votes? How many were legitimate supporters of the Green platform? We don’t know.

A NOTA option, even a ‘non binding’ version, would clear that up. I'm impressed with the possibility of getting a true gauge of support for all candidates. That is ultimately the point of an election, right?