Some political analysts believe the 2008 presidential election could be historic in its levels of non-participation – at least insofar as the two major-party candidates are concerned.

With one of five Hillary Clinton supporters saying they are unlikely to vote for Barack Obama and deep dissatisfaction in Republican ranks for the nominee of their party, third party candidates have the best chance in years of scoring significant vote tallies.

But is it a "waste of a vote" to cast a protest ballot for someone other than a Republican or Democratic presidential candidate?

No, says Joseph Farah, editor of WND, who is leading a budding movement to encourage support for third party candidates or write-ins for the top slot on the ballot.

"I don't deny that either Barack Obama or John McCain will become president in January 2009," he says. "It's just that I can't be a part of supporting either one – not even as the lesser of two evils."

Farah believes whoever wins among the two major-party candidates will lead America in the wrong direction.

"How can any of us be a part of knowingly sending America on the wrong course?" he asks. "I believe there is a better way."

Farah's better way is joining the "none of the above" movement and making a major political statement in 2008 that will reverberate for years to come – helping Americans who believe in the Constitution, limited government, personal responsibility, individual rights and self-government to recapture the White House and the Congress in future elections.

"Many people who believe in these principles – principles most closely associated with the Republican Party – think holding your nose and voting for John McCain is the right thing to do in 2008," he says. "I disagree. If McCain wins, he will have done it his way – with an incoherent platform that promotes global warming hysteria, embryonic stem cell research, unconstitutional restrictions on First Amendment freedoms, more illegal immigration, etc."

He says one of the two major parties needs to be recaptured by freedom-loving Americans who believe in self-government – and that is more likely with low turnout for the major parties and high turnout for third parties and write-ins.

Farah is behind the "none of the above" bumper sticker and has completed a book due out in August also called "None of the Above."

"We need a minimal standard of acceptability for any candidate running for president," says Farah. "That standard for me is support for the Constitution. I don't see that in either of the two major-party standard-bearers. That's why I will be voting for neither of them in 2008."

Voter turnout for tiny North Dakota town: Zero

By JAMES MacPHERSON – 2 days ago

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Pillsbury Mayor Darrel Brudevold said voter turnout in the city's primary election usually is fairly high.

"I dare say a half-dozen people usually make it to the polls," he said. That represents about a quarter of the residents in the Barnes County farming community, in southeastern North Dakota.

But on June 10, no one showed up. Not even those on the ballot.

Brudevold ran unopposed for re-election. His wife, Ruth, and Dan Lindseth faced no challengers for their alderman seats.

"Everybody has got a job and they're busy," Brudevold said. "It just worked out that nobody seemed to go down there to the polls."

Only about 11 people live in Pillsbury proper, and the remainder of the residents live on farms outside the city. There is no precinct in town, so residents must drive about 12 miles to neighboring Sibley to cast their votes.

Brudevold's wife, Ruth, runs the beauty shop and is the town's postmaster. She said she was too busy with work to make it to the polls.

Brudevold said he intended to vote, but that he had crops to tend.

He said he assumed at least one person would show up to vote. But since no one did, Brudevold said he'll ask state election officials what to do next.

Brudevold, who has been mayor for a dozen years and was an alderman before that, said he doesn't think the current five-member body will change.

Barnes County Auditor Ed McGough said those in office can stay there and appoint people, including themselves, to the jobs until the next election.

"I presume things will stay the same," Brudevold said. "We're just a little village, and when you're elected to one of those jobs, well, once you get it, you got it."

The council meets about five times a year, Brudevold said. Members are each paid $48 annually, and a good portion of that goes for doughnuts at the meetings or gas to get there, he said.

Brudevold said he has no need for a gavel because attendance at the meetings is lackluster at best.

"Not everybody usually makes it to the meetings, so it really doesn't get out of hand," he said. "The only time we really get people to show up is when we want to raise taxes — then everybody shows up."