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Mexicans Eager to Cast Votes for No One
Blank ballot campaign gains popularity as democracy loses it
By Kevin Spak
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Posted Jun 18, 09 2:51 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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Plenty of politicians are battling for votes ahead of Mexico’s July 5 congressional election, but the campaign getting the most buzz isn’t for a candidate—it’s for no candidate. The vote en blanco movement is urging disillusioned Mexicans to turn in their ballots with a giant “X” over them to protest what they see as a lousy slate of candidates, Time reports.
Frustrated with the movement, the government is running an expensive ad campaign urging people to vote. Politicians say it’s “irresponsible,” and one Catholic bishop called it “stupidity.” But vote en blanco proponents are adamant. “Voting for the least bad candidate is like buying the least rotten fruit,” said one. “I prefer to leave a note saying, 'Hey. All your fruit is rotten.'”