> simply by casting a ballot that is functionally empty of choices.
The signals are different. I cast a blank vote to indicate my support for the process/election, but my lack of support for any of the candidates. I cast no vote to indicate my lack of support for the process itself.
Non-voters and blank/invalid voters are usually reported separately to give exactly these 2 signals.
Your vote would have been stronger if you actually voted for change of the process. By not voting you are just voting for chaos.
Re:Stay Gold, America
by Eddy_Viscosity2 on Tuesday January 07, 2025 @07:36AM
(#42621747)
I wonder how well a system would work if it had compulsory voting, but there was always a 'none of the above' option on the ballet. If 'none of the above' gets the most votes or above a certain threshold, the current candidates are disqualified and another election is called with new ones.
Re:Stay Gold, America
by kaycey2022 on Wednesday January 08, 2025 @03:25AM
(#42632203)
Yes. Once that is in place you’ll realise that most people aren’t cynical about their politics and would always choose a candidate since they choose to make a trip to the voting booth.
Make it compulsory them, if they don't like it gonna show
Not really: Voters can still choose to "not participate" (whether as protest or laziness) simply by casting a ballot that is functionally empty of choices.
If anything, the signal you're talking about becomes stronger, since a compulsory-voting system removes or reduces certain practical impediments which have nothing to do with deliberate protest.