Nevadans get to choose ‘none of these candidates’

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 | 1:37 a.m.

When it comes to a choice for president, the best one for some voters may be "none of these candidates."

Nevada ballots will offer voters that option in the presidential and statewide races, such as for U.S. senator, according to county and state election officials. Voters are not able to write in the name of a candidate.

Nevada is the only state in the nation that has the provision, according to Steve George, spokesman for the secretary of state. Other states allow voters to skip a race or ballot question if they do not wish to vote on it, George said.

This year races that will offer the "none of these candidates" option, in addition to the presidential race, are the U.S. Senate race pitting incumbent Sen. Harry Reid, a Democrat, against Republican Richard Ziser and third-party candidates, and three races for Nevada Supreme Court justices.

According to the legislative records, lawmakers in 1975 wanted to give voters the ability to express their lack of confidence in the candidates. Assemblymen limited the provision to statewide offices and the presidential race after county registrars complained the provision would be cost prohibitive to include all offices.

"None of these candidates" has received the most votes in four past elections. The candidate who receives the most votes still is declared the winner.