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by **V.E. Day** » Sep 29th, '10, 11:08

In the UK I see no good reason to have a "None Of The Above" option on the Ballot Paper. This is because if people are entitled to vote then they are also entitled to stand for election. If an individual does not like any of the other candidates then why did they not stand for election themselves? They couldn't be bothered?

Entering politics in the UK is very much part of the voluntary political tradition, payment for MPs and Councillors has only been a very recent thing. If the public were given a clear option of going to the Ballot Box with an entirely negative view of "I don't like any of them" then eventually people will stop volunteering to stand.

Well that's the theory anyway.

by **Robbie** » Sep 29th, '10, 14:06

If you can't write in your own choice, what will happen to the time-honoured tradition of writing in Donald Duck?

The Daily Telegraph wrote:Donald Duck and God mar Swedish election

Donald Duck, the king and God are among those who snagged votes in the Swedish general elections, a final list of hand-written votes by the election authority showed.

Hand-written ballots are allowed in Swedish polls. Voters normally use them to write down the name of the established party they wish to vote for rather than putting a cross in a box next to a pre-printed name.

However, it means that voters can write any name they wish and, as such, more than 120 people wanted to see Donald Duck, the Walt Disney cartoon character, elected to power in Sunday's vote.

"My party" meanwhile garnered four votes, while "Myself" got two, the same amount as Jesus, Jesus Christ and God. "The king" won three votes, one more than "common sense in Sweden" - written in English on the ballot. Harry Potter, Mickey Mouse and Couch Potato Party each got one.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's centre-right bloc missed out on a parliamentary majority by two seats, a final count of votes shows. Mr Reinfeldt's four-party Alliance gained one extra seat at the expense of the left-wing opposition after votes cast by Swedes living abroad were counted, leaving it with 173, two short of a majority, election authorities said. Mr Reinfeldt must now seek alliances with left wing opposition parties to form a government.

by **.robb.** » Oct 2nd, '10, 16:56

Thank you for the replies.

I could channel Craig and post pages about the topic but, in short, there's a small movement here in the US to not vote at all if you feel that you are voting for the lesser of two evils. There are those that do so. There are also those that attempt to show disdain by voting for a 3rd Party candidate that they have virtually nothing in common with but just want to show support for a true multi-party system. Talking Heads and Analyst then twist the numbers however they see fit to prove their agenda.

It seems to me that a "None of the Above" option would serve the purpose. Whomever receives the majority of votes, or Electoral College in the case of the President, would still win the election but all of the voices would be heard.

by **Robbie** » Oct 3rd, '10, 15:04

Col and I think the Australian system is pretty good. Everyone eligible to vote MUST turn up and cast a vote. The argument is that a lot of lives have been lost in the gaining and defence of the right to vote, so the least you can do as a citizen is exercise that right.

The mechanics of voting are like Britain's, so if you don't want to vote for any of the candidates, you're free to spoil your ballot any way you wish.

by **TonyB** » Oct 3rd, '10, 18:33

Robbie wrote:Col and I think the Australian system is pretty good. Everyone eligible to vote MUST turn up and cast a vote. The argument is that a lot of lives have been lost in the gaining and defence of the right to vote, so the least you can do as a citizen is exercise that right.

What a fantastic idea. I cannot understand how people can fail to vote. Even on the occasions when I did not like any of the candidates on offer, I always made sure to turn up and spoil my vote. We owe that to the generations who fought for the right to vote.

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Question about politcal voting in the UK.

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