Mexicans Eager to Cast Votes for No One

Blank ballot campaign gains popularity as democracy loses it
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 18, 2009 2:51 PM CDT
Mexicans Eager to Cast Votes for No One
Mexican citizens cast their vote in the Mexican presidential election in this July 2, 2000 file photo.   (Getty Images)

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.'” (More Mexico stories.)

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