Write-ins and the Presidential Election

ML/NJ

[ml/nj]

I just answered the FR poll question about what one would do in the event of a McCain vs. Hillary choice in November. When I did I saw that more than 10% who have answered said they would write someone else.

I don't think this can be done in a Presidential election. When one votes in the Presidential election he/she is not voting for the named candidate but rather a slate of electors pledged to that candidate. In the past I recall these names being listed on the ballot but more recently (or maybe where I live now in NJ) it just says "electors for X." This is a list of between three and 55 specific people depending upon where one lives. Writing in Rush Limbaugh, for example, would at best give Rush a vote to be an elector. More likely it would just be ignored because the slates of electors in most States have to be filed with some election commisioner or other in order to be considered. So if your write-in choice hasn't filed a slated of electors in your State, you might just as well not vote, as no one will notice or care.

ML/NJ

[cripplecreek]

I don't think this can be done in a Presidential election.

Think again. I did it in 2000 in the slot designated "Write in".

[cvq3842]

Good point. I’m in NJ too - I’ll have to see how the ballot works, for curiosity if nothing else.

[Slapshot68]

I think it depends on the state.

[Slapshot68]

Here's the infamous "butterfly ballot" from Palm Beach FL in 2000. Note the Write In section.

[traditional1]

As I recall, Fred Thompson had ONE election delegate, so I can write in using your interpretation of voting for "a slate of electors".

I ain't votin' RINO no more.

For those who don't believe the Hillary nomination wasn't a done-deal a year ago, and that Obama will not be her VP, there's swampland in Florida for you.....

[The Sons of Liberty]

I think each state can dictate the rules for selecting Electors to the Electoral College. Some may allow write-ins.

[BigEdLB]

Write-ins count if the person that is being written in has filed a slate of presidential electors in that state with the authorities, and write-ins of that sort are allowed.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I am fine with it being like not voting in that race. Perfectly fine with it. I'll write in a name because I'm there voting in other races. Or I may just leave it blank.

Something funny...a few years back my sister and I were both unhappy with our choices in a particular statewide race. She came up with the idea that we should both write in the name of some dude on a TV commercial, just for a laugh. We laughed and laughed, saying anybody had to be better than the two we had to pick from. She made me promise to vote for the write-in guy. I did, she didn't. I'm still mad at her over that. LOL! Still, I am not sorry I didn't vote for either party candidate.

I never vote Democrat. Their party platform is appalling. That doesn't mean I must vote Republican. The Republicans don't want values voter's any more.

[ml/nj]

I believe that anyone you would have written in has to have filed a slate of electors with the Florida election commission at some appropriate time before the election in a manner they prescribe. Otherwise the vote gets tossed.

ML/NJ

[traditional1]

Thanks. I hope Ohio has an allowable write-in, or I vote for no RINO if that's the only choice.

The RNC let us all down, and they can suffer. (For the fools who think there's any candidate left that is NOT a Liberal, good luck, and watch what you get).

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Here's the infamous "butterfly ballot" from Palm Beach FL in 2000.

I have one of those Palm Beach FL voting machines in my basement. LOL!

[IMissPresidentReagan]

I second your post! In Kentucky, there is almost always an unopposed Democrat running so, I started writing in Ronald Reagan, and have done so in every single election I’ve voted in. Most cases, it’s someone on city council (or the local constable), but I guess this will be a breakout election for me. My husband calls it “Judge Harry Stoning” a candidate. (Old Night Court reference).

Although, in this election, ironically enough, there is an extremely conservative chap running unopposed in a local election but he’s a Democrat, so I’ll be voting for a Democrat and writing in someone where a Republican is actually running. I’m tired of this whole loyalty to the party nonsense, when the party hasn’t been very loyal to the conservatives. You can only kick a dog so many times before he turns around a bites you.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

That’s a good idea for the unopposed races.

[rednesss]

Where was the option to vote for Ron Paul????? He’s looking mighty good right now in comparison to Pant Suits or Juan McAmnesty.

[wilco200]

How can you have seven “socialist parties” on one ballot?

[cripplecreek]

Michigan.

[TheBattman]

NO arrow to color in for Bush Cheney?

[cripplecreek]

I hadn’t noticed that.