This is what Justin <justin-cypherpunks@soze.net> said about "Re: Fact checking" on 28 Apr 2004 at 19:37
Make sure there's a handy "abstain" option for those who want to get the point across about lack of choice, and maybe a space to say why, too. Then stick the (anonymous) reasons up in a publicly-viewable space and eh, instant feedback.
There is an abstention option. The poll administrator checks off your name when you show up, so someone knows that you "voted." You don't have to choose anyone on your ballot. You can either toss it in the garbage on your way out, or draw pictographs derogatory to politicians on non-critical areas of the ballot before feeding it to the fiber-starved voting machine.
But then the ballot is spoiled, and not counted. In Canada we have the option to "decline to vote". Go to the polling station, register your name, take the ballot, then tell the clerk that you "decline to vote". This indicates that you believe that no-one on the ballot is a suitable candidate for office. The ballot is counted, but none of the candidates gets a vote. This ensures that you don't accidentally elect an unsuitable candidate with a protest vote, ie. selecting the lesser of two evils. By declining to vote you elect neither of the two evils. I'm not sure what happens when there are more declined ballots than votes for a candidate. Certainly it should draw some media attention to the option of declining to vote -- I find that very few people know about it. It sure caused a stir at our polling booth! -- -- -- -- Bob Jonkman