write-ins

[wurm]

I heard something the other night that gave me pause. A radio show had the major on as a guest, and the host made a comment about writing in another name on the ballot for president. The mayor commented that that would result in the vote being tossed out. What was not explained further and what I can't seem to find an answer to is whether it invalidates the entire ballot or only that vote for that office. I can't imagine it would be the former, but trying to find an answer is only causing me to be more disillusioned with the entire election process.

There doesn't seem to be one answer, as each state has its own terms for dealing with write-in candidates (or otherwise "improperly marked" ballots). I guess I'm wondering if all those votes in years past for Micky Mouse that we always hear about, actually invalidated those entire ballots or just the potential votes for the "real" presidential candidates.

It would be so much simpler if they'd just give us that None of the above option.

[cbelt3]

It depends on the state. I encourage everyone who opposes *MY* candidate to write-in someone you really want in office.

I'm NOT telling who my preferred candidate is, though. That's between me and the Board of Elections.

[AlphaDog]

Another question comes to my mind. Is the ballot designed so the name of a write in candidate can be added? If so, then there is nothing about doing that which would invalidate the ballot. If, on the other hand, someone merely wrote in another name after crossing out a name that was pre-printed, I could see where it would definitely invalidate the vote for that office. Not the whole ballot, though, if the rest was readable. For each office, our ballots contain a space for writing in the name of another person.

[Gutenberg]

In Maryland, at least, you have to ask a judge for a write-in ballot. It gets counted though--I have seen it done. The write-ins are not posted at the polling place at the end of the night, though. Write-ins are posted at the Board of Elections.

[$tevie]

wurm wrote: It would be so much simpler if they'd just give us that None of the above option.

Don't put an "x" by anyone's name. It's the same difference.

[wurm]

$tevie wrote:
[quote=wurm]It would be so much simpler if they'd just give us that None of the above option.

Don't put an "x" by anyone's name. It's the same difference.
Same result. But doesn't make quite the same point.

[Seacrest]

wurm wrote:
[quote=$tevie]
[quote=wurm]It would be so much simpler if they'd just give us that None of the above option.

Don't put an "x" by anyone's name. It's the same difference.
Same result. But doesn't make quite the same point.
[x] none of the above

how f&^%ing hard is that?

[wurm]

It's not a matter of difficulty.

The mayor commented that that would result in the vote being tossed out. What was not explained further and what I can't seem to find an answer to is whether it invalidates the entire ballot or only that vote for that office.

[$tevie]

I don't think that voting is really the time to make any points about stuff. Else we would have to have room for commentary after every bond issue and a place to draw smiley faces or frownies after every judge that is up for election, and so on. I think there are people who are disgruntled about all sorts of things but the ballot is for voting not expressing one's angst.

[Bill in NC]

Here for a write-in vote to count you need at least 500 signatures submitted for that candidate BEFORE the election.