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Write-ins could propel Bernie Sanders in Vermont, even though he doesn’t want to win
McClatchy DC ^ | 10/14/2016 | Alex Daugherty

Posted on 10/15/2016 8:06:36 AM PDT by simpson96

WASHINGTON Bernie Sanders doesn’t want to be president, but he could snatch three electoral votes in Vermont.

That’s because Vermont is one of seven states that allow voters to write in anyone for president, even if they have no intention of running for office.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are two of the most disliked presidential candidates ever, and Google searches for write-in ballots are skyrocketing.

Vermont is one of the states asking Google about write-in votes the most. A write-in vote for Sanders in Vermont would be treated like a vote for Trump or Clinton.

Only Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Iowa and Oregon allow voters to write in anyone for president.

The majority of states, 34, also allow write-in votes, but the candidate must complete paperwork to have votes counted. Nine states do not allow write-in votes for president. (snip)

If a write-in candidate were to win a state on November 8 and Trump or Clinton fails to gain 270 electoral votes, the House of Representatives chooses the president between the top three candidates. (snip)

Write-in candidates have won Senate races in recent years. In 2010, incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski waged a successful write-in campaign after losing the Republican primary to a Tea Party challenger.

Presidential candidates have won states during the primary as write-ins, including Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt, but no write-in candidate has ever won a state in the general election.

(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Vermont
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 10/15/2016 8:06:36 AM PDT by simpson96
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To: simpson96

What if the Left splits between Hitlery and Bernie, and Trump wins?


2 posted on 10/15/2016 8:09:07 AM PDT by grumpygresh (We don't have Democrats and Republicans, we have the Faustian uni-party)
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To: simpson96

Too bad Bernie didn’t stay in until the general campaign on another line.

Then he could bail. LOL


3 posted on 10/15/2016 8:11:35 AM PDT by headstamp 2 (Fear is the mind killer.)
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To: simpson96

He has already cut his deal, abandoned his quest for power and will spend sunny days on secluded beaches. He gathered his followers and then sold them like cattle when the price was right.


4 posted on 10/15/2016 8:12:07 AM PDT by ArtDodger
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To: ArtDodger

The old boy didn’t want to Arkancide. I don’t blame him. He’s got a sweet spot while roleplaying the downtrodden proletariat.


5 posted on 10/15/2016 8:14:15 AM PDT by Psalm 144 (Je suis, Deplorables. Marchons, marchons!)
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To: simpson96

Hoping enough votes will be taken away from Hillary.


6 posted on 10/15/2016 8:14:32 AM PDT by SkyDancer (Ambtion Without Talent Is Sad - Talent Without Ambition Is Worse)
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To: simpson96
If a write-in candidate were to win a state on November 8 and Trump or Clinton fails to gain 270 electoral votes, the House of Representatives chooses the president between the top three candidates.

The traitors in Congress would either not vote, giving it to Hillary or vote for Hillary.

7 posted on 10/15/2016 8:15:15 AM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is evil and must be eradicated)
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To: simpson96

IMO, most people who would write in wouldn’t vote for Trump if their lives depended on it, so that could be a net gain for Trump.


8 posted on 10/15/2016 8:15:17 AM PDT by Impala64ssa (You call me an islamophobe like it's a bad thing.)
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To: ArtDodger

you beat me to it. a guy making 175k with an unlimited credit card via govt does NOT believe in socialism, at least not for himself


9 posted on 10/15/2016 8:22:55 AM PDT by dp0622 (IThe only thing an upper crust conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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To: dp0622
does NOT believe in socialism, at least not for himself

The very definition of socialism is: 'socialism for thee, not for me'. Therefore, he is completely consistent.

10 posted on 10/15/2016 8:28:12 AM PDT by C210N
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To: All

What happens to the delegate votes if bernie would win the write in? Do they just default to Hillary anyway?


11 posted on 10/15/2016 8:29:44 AM PDT by uncle fenders
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To: uncle fenders

The delegates are supposed to show up and vote one single time for the individual that was the winner of the state.

I would say this....if this were New Jersey with a lot more votes at stake....it would matter. With only three votes....it’s a minor deal. It would be odd if the two get to some point where it’s almost even, and the three votes would have mattered to Hillary. In that scenario, it’d go to the house for a vote and you’d have to wonder what the fifty state line-up would look like?


12 posted on 10/15/2016 8:40:37 AM PDT by pepsionice
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To: simpson96

It’s all good. Fewer votes for Hill.

Bernie should have run 3rd party, he might have been hitting 40% right now.


13 posted on 10/15/2016 8:41:29 AM PDT by VanDeKoik
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To: uncle fenders
In Vermont, just to pick an example ...

S: 2731. Certificates of election
When the canvassing board provided for in section 2592 of this title meets, it shall issue its certificates of election, with respect to the presidential election, to the electors nominated by the party whose candidate for president has received the greatest number of votes.

S: 2732. Meeting of electors
The electors shall meet at the state house on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December next following their election, to vote for president and vice president of the United States, agreeably to the laws of the United States. ... When all the electors appear or a vacancy therein is filled, the electors shall perform the duties required of them by the Constitution and laws of the United States. ... The electors must vote for the candidates for president and vice president who received the greatest number of votes at the general election. [omissions at elipses relate to vacancies in state electors on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December]

I have no idea how this would play out if write-in Bernie got more votes than any other candidate, but the system is not designed to accomodate "no party" candidates in a general election.

14 posted on 10/15/2016 8:42:20 AM PDT by Cboldt
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To: grumpygresh

Bingo. This could be a real possibility.

Bernie 30%. Hillary 30%. Trump 40%.

Sounds good to me. God’s ways are not our ways.


15 posted on 10/15/2016 9:03:42 AM PDT by Eccl 10:2 (Prov 3:5 --- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding")
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To: simpson96

Bernie been bought


16 posted on 10/15/2016 11:10:45 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: simpson96

Hmmm - Vermont, Utah, New Mexico - maybe going to third parties - could keep both Trump and Hillary from getting to 270 electoral votes in a close election - in which case the House gets to decide - this could be interesting....


17 posted on 10/15/2016 9:28:06 PM PDT by Intolerant in NJ
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