None of the Above (NOTA) as a choice for Missouri Voters

I think it is a good idea to include "None Of The Above: For a New Election" as a choice on ballots for election of public officials.

Our system of government is based on our consent to be governed.  In order to freely make the choice to provide that consent, we must also be free to withold it.  This is the strongest argument for the inclusion of "None Of The Above" as a choice.  If in any election, there are more votes for NOTA than any candidate, then the people of that district should be allowed a new election. Surely the price associated with living under an illegitimate government is greater than the cost of a new election.

I discovered these and other great arguments at NOTA.org.  They've also got a model statute which I'll modify for Missouri. Here are a couple more gems straight from NOTA.org:

• A candidate must obtain voter consent to be elected, even if running unopposed.

• Voters would decide the fate of the political parties' choices, instead of the parties deciding the voters' choices.

• It should reduce negative campaigning by encouraging candidates to campaign for their own candidacy rather than against their opponent's candidacy.

• Improves checks and balances between voters and political parties, especially needed in jurisdictions with one dominant political party or nearly identical alternatives.

• Establishes flexible, voter controlled term limits of one term for every office, as the framers of the U.S. Constitution intended.

• Office holders, knowing they face "None of the Above" in the next election, would be encouraged to insure their re-election by focusing more on doing a good job in office and less on attempting to prevent the emergence of an effective opposition candidate.

• Even when "None of the Above" does not win or is a non-binding NOTA, the reported NOTA vote would help identify those offices for which voters might be more receptive to new candidates in a future election as well as limits the winner's mandate.

• Provides a permanent option for voters to withhold consent that is independent of expensive and infrequent candidate based "reform" movements.

• Opportunities for election fraud should be reduced because fewer blank votes for an office would be cast.

• Applies to all candidates and parties equally.