None of the Above

Reviews / Votes

"A wonderful example of a well-executed scholarly book that takes an interesting and misunderstood phenomenon-invalid voting-and explores both the meaning and the consequences across a wide range of contexts. Dr. Cohen is a true expert on this topic. This book showcases her deep knowledge of protest voting in Latin American elections and presents convincing evidence that the practice of invalid voting in protest is more important than many might think at first." -- Carew Boulding, University of Colorado at Boulder "Invalid voting has long been a source of anxiety for students of voting behavior in contexts where democracy seemed tenuous. Cohen distills those anxieties into twin puzzles: why would voters bear the costs of voting only to spoil the ballot? And why would actors mobilize invalid voting campaigns when they have little chance of nullifying an election and derive no benefits from supporting a winner? Her explanation at once resolves both puzzles and speaks to observers' fears about democracy. In ordinary elections, Cohen argues, committed democrats spoil ballots to signal disgust with the quality of candidates. And in extraordinary elections when democracy is on the ballot, they invalidate their votes in refusal to legitimate candidates who may undermine democracy. Invalid voting en masse, thus, can act as a brake on democratic backsliding. Overall, this work elevates the practice of invalid voting from a mere anxious curiosity to a powerful instrument of democracy. It is a must-read for students of voting and democracy, alike." -- Ryan E. Carlin, Georgia State University "None of the Above will make an important and lasting contribution to our understanding of electoral behavior throughout the developing world." -- Amanda Driscoll, Florida State University "Contrary to conventional perspectives that view invalid voting as accidental, undemocratic, or counterproductive, Cohen argues persuasively that it constitutes a valid form of protest capable of enhancing democratic quality under specific circumstances. Cohen's research underscores that invalid voting emerges as a strategic response to perceived democratic erosion, particularly in contexts marked by the exclusion of opposition candidates and pervasive electoral fraud. Summing up: highly recommended." -- J.J. Aguayo, CHOICE "...this is the book that promises to establish once and for all invalid voting as a form of protest that acts as a complement to other forms of political struggle. The book's findings are clear and well-organized, showing the pervasiveness of the phenomenon, its relevance, and its positive repercussions across civil society." -- Latin American Politics and Society "The study gains authority from its inclusion of several more in-depth comparative case studies, notable concerning some well-chosen Peruvian gubernatorial contests. In particular, Cohen makes use of some instructive vignettes presented to various focus groups and reconstructs illuminating election narratives." -- Perspectives on Politics