Proposition 23 "None of the Above" Ballot option is a California initiative statute that will be decided by the voters in the March 7, 2000 primary election. If passed, voters would have the option of casting a ballot for "none of the above" instead of choosing a candidate. The number of voters selecting "none of the above" would be reported in official election returns but would not affect the outcome of the election.
Though the measure doesn't have any teeth, at least election results will reflect voters disdain for the process.

There is an effort that should be recognized: An organization named "Voters for None of the Above" is promoting the alternative in listing candidates on the ballot. According to NOTA, there are 17 states (including California), which have some kind of ballot measures or legislation pending for "None of the Above" choices on their election ballots. Most are deemed unlikely to pass, and only Nevada has enacted the issue, which is not binding. NOTA is pursuing petitions for binding laws: If "None of the Above" receives the more votes than any of the listed candidates, the election, with a new list of candidates, has to be done over again. Visit the informative site at: http://www.nota.org

It's a shame that voters must endure an endless struggle against the powers of political parties and government. California voters approved a 1996 "Open Primary" ballot initiative that lets voters cross party line in primary elections. The Democratic and Republican Parties fought the issue with a failed 1998 ballot measure. So, they diluted the will of the voters with so-called compromise state legislation. Crossover and independent votes won't count in picking presidential nominees because delegates are elected only by party members voting. But at least, for now, all votes will count in U.S. Senate, congressional and state legislative races.

With a political system steeped in campaign financing and pre-selected candidates very little can be changed in government without a fundamental departure from representative democracy as we know it.
Indeed, we can no longer ignore the inescapable conclusion that the United States government is hopelessly mired in the muddy pits of self-interest.

It simply doesn't matter who we elect to public office. They're bought and paid for by selfish interests long before names appear on the ballot. Some elected officials do less harm than others, but the fact remains that most do not seek or obtain public office for any reason other than personal power and fame. Those with good intentions are quickly seduced or beaten into submission by the establishment system.

Our elected representatives do not represent us. They represent those who put them in office: Campaign contributors and active special interests, not the voters. Elections, Congress, the presidency and state governments are controlled by the two-party system, not the voters. The responsibilities of representative government have been abdicated to over-grown, self-protective, wasteful and irresponsible bureaucracies.

Nonpartisan direct democracy is the only way to control government and our future. Direct democracy over the Internet is already making its presence known. Candidates are beginning to respond on their web sites. Voter web sites are springing up everywhere. Electronic voting is going to happen in parts of Alaska and in Arizona's Democratic Primary Election this year. Direct democracy voting networks will free us from campaign finance interests and political party controlled elections.