The bill S.137, introduced by Senator Perchlik, aims to enhance voter options in primary and general elections by allowing voters to select "None of these candidates" on their ballots. This option will be explicitly counted as a vote for none of the listed candidates, rather than being treated as a blank vote. The bill includes provisions to amend existing laws to ensure that votes for "None of these candidates" are recognized with the same significance as votes for actual candidates, particularly in determining whether a candidate has received a majority of votes for certain offices, such as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Treasurer.

Key amendments to current law include the addition of the "None of these candidates" option on both primary and general election ballots, along with specific instructions for voters. The bill also clarifies that if a voter marks both a candidate's name and "None of these candidates," it will be recorded as an overvote. Furthermore, the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, allowing for the necessary adjustments to be made in the electoral process.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 17-2362, 17-2472, 17-2587