via the Star-Tribune:
If a Minnesota state senator gets his wish, a faceless and nameless force would give political candidates extra reason to sweat at election time. They’d have to compete against “None of the Above,” with the threat of a new election featuring all-new candidates if that option prevails.
GOP Sen. Branden Petersen’s proposal is certainly a longshot, even by his own admission. But he’s hoping the bill he introduced last week at least stirs some serious talk and gives frustrated voters an idea to rally around.
“This would give people an opportunity to really make a strong statement in rebuke of the present dynamic. It would be an honest check on the two-party system,” said the first-term senator from Andover who at times has clashed openly with his own party. “This gives people a chance to legitimately voice their opinion.”
[…]
It holds the potential for new elections if the “None of the Above” line garners the most votes. That outcome — binding in all but presidential contests — would trigger special elections the following February. The listed candidates from the prior race would be excluded, although write-in candidates would remain eligible. If the deadlock hit a governor’s election, the state Supreme Court would be enlisted to select a temporary fill-in governor.
Only Nevada now has a “None of the Above” law. But if that line secures the most votes in that state, the top vote-getting named candidate prevails, a scenario that has occurred as recently as last year’s Democratic primary for governor.