introduction

Explored the difference between valid and invalid ballots in electoral politics, and pointed out the contradiction between the increase in the number of invalid ballots and the decrease in voter turnout. Special attention was paid to the rising trend of "blank votes" in the French presidential election and the political motivations behind it, emphasizing the importance of the phenomenon of "blank votes" in understanding the psychology of public political participation and the practice of electoral democracy. At the same time, it mentioned the confirmation of the status of "blank votes" after the revision of the French Electoral Code in 2014, as well as the insufficient research on this phenomenon in the political science community.

1、 Definition and Historical Discussion of the Issue of "Blank Tickets" in France

The concept of "blank ballots" in France was defined in detail, which refers to ballots or empty envelopes that do not select any candidate and are initially considered invalid or invalid. With the increasing number of "blank ballots", people have begun to realize their special meaning and sparked discussions at the legislative level. The article distinguishes between "blank ballots" and abstentions and invalid ballots, emphasizing that "blank ballots" are conscious political expressions of voters and reflect political enthusiasm. The recognition of "blank ballots" in French legislation has gone through a long debate, from the establishment of anonymous voting in 1795 to a decree declaring it invalid in 1852, and then to the increasing number of "blank ballots" in the late 20th century, when legislation began to value their political value. In 2012, the French National Assembly passed a revised proposal that, although "blank ballots" were not considered valid votes, explicitly required them to be separately counted and published.

2、 The basic characteristics of "blank votes" in the French presidential election

Detailed analysis of the basic characteristics and development trends of the phenomenon of "blank votes" in the French presidential election. Since the establishment of the Fifth French Republic, the number of "blank votes" has continued to rise, reflecting an increasing number of voters choosing not to vote for any candidate. Statistics show that since 1965, the number of "blank votes" in each election has exceeded 200000, and even reached 4 million in 2002. The proportion of "blank votes" in all ballots is generally on the rise, with a significantly higher number of "blank votes" in the second round of voting. In addition, significant fluctuations in the number of "blank votes" are often related to major political events or reform measures, such as the resignation of Charles de Gaulle in 1969, the death of Pompidou in 1974, and the revision of the Electoral Code in 2014.

3、 The political motivations and implications behind 'blank votes'

In depth analysis of the political motivations and implications behind the "blank votes" in the French presidential election. Voters casting 'blank votes' is not based on rational choice models, but rather on expressive factors that reflect dissatisfaction with real politics and a desire for change. The legal recognition of 'blank tickets' enables these voices to be heard and valued. Voters express their distrust of political parties and governments, as well as their expectations for deep changes in the political system, through 'blank votes'.

4、 The impact of 'blank votes' on French electoral politics

Analyzed the impact of the phenomenon of "blank votes" on French electoral politics. Firstly, it is pointed out that the instability of France's political ecology has intensified, and the political party structure has evolved from the traditional binary competition of left and right wings to a complex situation of multiple coexistence and high differentiation. In this context, the number of "blank votes" is on the rise, triggering reflections on the legitimacy of elections and impacting the elite election agenda. Secondly, it discusses how the issue of "blank votes" exacerbates the crisis of election legitimacy. Due to the high heterogeneity of French society, it is not possible to elect a president who can represent the majority of public opinion in the first round of presidential elections. A second round of voting is needed to strengthen the authority and legitimacy of the elected candidates. But with the increasing fragmentation of society and polarization of the political party system, the large number of "blank votes" emerging in the second round of voting will dilute the actual support rate of the president and exacerbate the legitimacy crisis. The growth of "blank votes" reflects the integration ability of the electoral system and the insufficient representativeness of the political party system, exposing the problem of poor democratic level. Finally, the topic of "blank votes" was discussed on how to unleash the populist discourse space of electoral democracy. The current populist forces are gaining momentum in French society, but the media's dissemination function and the gathering effect of public opinion tend to shape and rely on opinion leaders, making populism a lever for emerging political organizations and elites to expand their discourse power. 'Blank votes' are a rejection and rebellion against elite control of the electoral agenda, demonstrating a potential desire to supplement representative democracy with direct democracy. Some organized political groups led by elites have emerged under the banner of "blank votes", mobilizing the dissatisfaction of "white vote voters", inciting and mobilizing populism in the name of participatory democracy, and entering or preparing to enter electoral politics. This type of political manipulation will exacerbate the complexity and sharpness of social protests, bringing more hidden dangers and unstable factors to France's electoral politics and government governance.

conclusion

Emphasizing the importance and complexity of "blank votes" in the French presidential election, pointing out their increasing number and correlation with the party's vote structure, reflecting public dissatisfaction with the existing political system and questioning of political elites. At the same time, "blank votes" as an expression of the public's detachment from the elite political agenda have an impact on the representativeness and legitimacy of elite regimes, providing space for the rise of populism and anti establishment forces. In addition, there is a call for more attention and quantitative research on the phenomenon of "blank ballots" to enhance its explanatory power in the study of contemporary democratic dilemmas.