Doug, A person who doesn't vote for a particular candidate just doesn't vote. If the person does vote, it's oftentimes a matter of trying to decide between the lesser of two evils. No matter how you vote, you get someone in the office that you don't think should be there.

What I propose is a way for the electorate to say "No! None of these candidates are acceptable. I would rather have this office vacant than to have it occupied by any of these candidates. Rethink this, and give the voters a better slate!"

To a politician, there would be a big difference between losing an election and finding oneself on a list of candidates that the electorate has declare unacceptable. With that option over their heads (being on such a list would quite likely kill their political career), politicians might keep their socks pulled up, their flies zipped, spend less time catering to special interests, and really get down to serving the people like they're elected to do.

Incidentally, this idea is not original with me. A number of fairly prominent people have suggested it. I think it's a good one, and I really hope it catches fire.

Don Firth