"Did not vote" won a landslide victory in the 2016 Presidential race.

If its votes had been counted, "did not vote" would have won 41 states and 471 of 538 electoral votes.

Inaction is still a choice. It means no candidate was able to inspire that person to go to the polls. Or perhaps the whole system seems stupid to them. Whatever the reason, their electoral voice is not being heard.

But it should be loud and clear. The people want a "none of the above" option when it comes to elections.

Maybe then elections would make a difference. Instead of abstaining, or voting for the lesser evil, you could choose no one.

If "no one" won, then the seat could either remain vacant or a new election could be called with all new candidates. This wouldn't solve all the issues with democracy, but it would be a good start.

Well quit your dreaming, it will never happen. Politicians won't pass laws that make their own reelection harder.

But another solution doesn't require the approval of politicians. It could be used as a tool of the electorate to actually have its voice heard in electoral politics.

Referendum Candidates

A referendum is when the people vote directly on a policy issue, like legalizing marijuana for instance.

A Referendum Candidate would be a stand-in when that option is not available.

Referendum Candidates could:

1) Make voting for this third-party candidate a referendum on the other candidates, or the two-party system in general.

Instead of voting for the lesser evil, you can vote for the Referendum Candidate standing in as a "none of the above" option.

The RC (Referendum Candidate) could pledge to never show up for work, refuse a salary, and make sure that the seat is "empty" for the next election cycle.

Example: An election with two unpopular candidates, one from each major party. No one really wants to vote for either one, so they resort to voting for the lesser of two evils.

An RC would come in and vow to occupy the seat without doing anything for the next election cycle.