🚀 go-pugleaf

From: Mike Feinstein <socalgreens>

/* Written  7:02 pm  Jun 11, 1994 by socalgreens@igc.apc.org in igc:gpty.news */
/* ---------- "NOTA WINS! Press Release 6/9/94" ---------- */
From: Mike Feinstein <socalgreens>

/* Written  7:02 pm  Jun 11, 1994 by socalgreens@igc.apc.org in igc:gpca.camp+cand */
/* ---------- "NOTA WINS! Press Release 6/9/94" ---------- */
                 Copyright 1994 PR Newswire Association, Inc.  
                                  PR Newswire
                             April  29, 1994, Friday

SECTION: State and Regional News
DISTRIBUTION: TO STATE AND POLITICAL EDITORS

HEADLINE: OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE: MILLER PROPOSES 'NONE OF THE 
ABOVE'ON BALLOT
DATELINE: SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 29

    Acting Secretary of State Tony Miller today sent the following 
letter to the chairs of the Senate and Assembly elections committees 
urging that state statute be amended to include "none of the above" as 
an option to the candidate choices on the ballot:
    The Honorable Milton Marks
    Chair, Senate Elections and Reapportionment Committee
    The Honorable Diane Martinez
    Chair, Assembly Elections, Reapportionment and
     Constitutional Amendments Committee
    State Capitol
    Sacramento, CA 95814
 
    Dear Gentlepersons:
 
    We must constantly look for ways to encourage citizens to 
participate in the democratic process by registering to vote and voting. 
Let's face it.  Many citizens don't vote because they are dissatisfied 
with the choices on the ballot.  Not voting is one way of expressing 
their dissatisfaction.  Let's tackle the problem head on.  Let's add the 
"None of the Above" option to the ballot.
    Including NOTA on the ballot for all parties and offices will 
givecitizens a reason to turn out even if they are turned off by the 
candidate choices on the ballot.  When campaigns degenerate into little 
more than name calling, as they often do, the voters can strike back 
delivering a compelling message that enough is enough.
    The  Green Party  has used NOTA in its party primary without a
problem.  Nevada has had eighteen years of experience with NOTA.  It has 
not been abused nor has it been disruptive to the process.  But it has 
given Nevada voters another choice and they have occasionally opted for 
it.  Good for them!  We should give Californians the same choice.
    I propose that we try NOTA in California as a pilot project for the 
1996 elections.  Under my proposal, if NOTA should win a majority of the 
votes cast, then a new election would be held.  Let's see how it work 
(sic).  Let's see if it helps to increase turnout.  Let's see if it 
changes the dynamics of campaigning.
    I look forward to working with you and your staff on this 
legislation.
    Sincerely,
    Tony Miller
    Acting Secretary of State
     CONTACT: Caren Daniels-Meade or Shirley Washington of the Office of 
the Secretary of State, 916-445-6375