What is the intent of the voter who writes in "Leeza Mur COW-ski"? Who says so? What if the voter intended to protest her running? Who says so?
More to the point -- what if the "law of the land" is NOT deciphered voter intent, but a written law that says the vote is to be counted for the person whose name is written on the ballot-- and spelling counts. A vote for Lisa Mirkowski is not a vote for Lisa Murcowski or Leza Mercowski or Lisa Murcowsky.
Voters could take written material into the voting booth. Just how do you discern the the intent of a person who can't spell the name of their chosen candidate?
Before I voted I checked out the judges who were on our ballot. I looked at past rulings and endorsements...then I made a list for myself, hubby, daughter and son-inlaw.Nothing wrong with taking private notes into the voting booth.
How would the law be applied in a community of say, Chechs, who have cousins running against each other? Would we demand compliance with the spelling rules?
Should the law differ based on the spelling practices of different ethnicities? Should Chechs, because of all the dang consonents run together, be held to a higher standard than others?
If not, then everyone should spell correctly. Are we begin swayed because there was not another name on the list similar to Murkowski’s?
Should that matter?
The rule should be consistent for all scenarios, IMHO.