SOQUEL, Calif. — Disgusted with politics? Convinced that most candidates are power-hungry scoundrels lacking vision and dedication to the public good? Al Shugart couldn't agree more, and he's fighting back.
If Shugart gets his way--and odds are that he will--Californians will soon have the chance to choose "none of the above" rather than a person when they go to the polls.
Shugart, a Pebble Beach millionaire, believes the option would prompt more Californians to vote by offering them a measurable way to protest the political status quo.
"Citizens all around this country have become so disgusted with government that they just give up, and that's horrible," he said. "I'm passionate about my country. I want to see people go to the polls, think and get more active again."
In pursuit of that goal, Shugart hopes to qualify an initiative for the March 2000 ballot that would add "none of the above" as a choice in statewide contests as well as presidential, congressional and legislative races.
The measure is purely symbolic; even if "none of the above" received the most votes, the candidate with the next highest number would win.
Some political reformers say the nonbinding nature of the proposal makes it virtually meaningless--a tease giving voters false hopes that their protest will make a difference.
But Shugart believes the mere presence of "none of the above" on ballots would give state politics a healthy jolt. Beyond a rise in turnout, he foresees cleaner, more substantial campaigns by politicians fearful that mudslinging would turn off voters and propel them toward "none of the above."
He also predicts another payoff--a more appealing batch of candidates.
"The political parties won't want their candidates losing to 'none of the above,' so they'll work harder to find better people to run," said Shugart, who is a Democrat--but never one to vote along party lines.
If Shugart succeeds, California would join Nevada as the only states to give voters the chance to say nyet in no uncertain terms. Nevada has offered a nonbinding "none of these candidates" option since 1975, one that has outpolled living, breathing politicians on four occasions--twice in congressional primaries and one time each in contests for treasurer and secretary of state.
Shugart--a trim 68-year-old as quirky as the idea he is promoting--plans to spend at least $1 million of his fortune to ensure that the initiative becomes law. If the measure passes here, he aims to bankroll copycat measures in other states.
