None of the above
Categories: Federal elections of the United States
None of the Above (NOTA) is a ballot choice in some jurisdictions or organizations, placed so as to allow the voter to indicate his disapproval with all of the candidates in any voting system.
Entities which include "None of the Above" on ballots as standard procedure include the United States Libertarian Party, the Florida affiliate of the American Patriot Party and the U.S. state of Nevada.
When "None of the Above" is listed on a ballot, there is the theoretical possibility of NOTA receiving a majority of the vote cast. In such a case, a variety of formal procedures may be invoked, including having the office remain vacant, having the office filled by appointment, re-opening nominations or beginning the election process again (in a body operating under parliamentary procedure). In Nevada, the actual candidate with the greatest number of votes assumes office regardless of how many votes "None of the Above" gets. Thus "None of the Above" acts purely as a repository for protest votes.