‘Nobody’ matters in Nevada elections

By Seth A. Richardson, Reno Gazette-Journal

In Nevada, nobody is somebody.

The Silver State, being the king of quirk in the nation, has a unique option for those wanting to register a protest vote this election with the “none of these candidates” choice.

It is the brainchild of former Assemblyman and state Sen. Don Mello, a Democrat from Washoe County.

The first time “none of these candidates” won was in 1976 when Nevadans preferred literally no one to both of the Republican candidates for the at-large congressional seat. (The second place winner Don Earhart was crowned the nominee. He lost to longtime Democratic Rep. Jim Santini in a landslide.)

Most recently, it played a role in the 2014 gubernatorial elections. Democrats didn’t care for their candidates for governor and instead picked “none of these candidates.” (Bob Goodman won the nomination, going on to get crushed in the general by incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval.)

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