# How do I find out how many write-in votes I get from the next election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2004, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-out-how-many-write-in-votes-i-get-from-the-next-election/236094 "2004-03-24T05:53:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-out-how-many-write-in-votes-i-get-from-the-next-election/236094/1 "2004-03-24T05:53:43Z")
I love doing stunts. What I’m thinking of is getting at least a dozen University sheep to voice their protest by writing me in. (not sure how to get more nationally, but would appreciate tips). What I want to know is, how can I do it so I can get an official record from the Federal Election Commision of how many votes I received? Do I need to formally file and pay a fee? If so, how much is it? Also, if the fee is kinda spendy, can I get a hardship waiver since anyone should be able to be President? (At least that’s what I was told in my taxpayer-funded schools) Any help is appreciated and you can expect your kickback once I’m in power. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-out-how-many-write-in-votes-i-get-from-the-next-election/236094/2 "2004-03-24T06:12:10Z")
[http://www.fec.gov/](http://www.fec.gov/) might be a good place to start… If nothing else, you could email or call them, but I have no idea of you’ll get a reply particularly swiftly. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-out-how-many-write-in-votes-i-get-from-the-next-election/236094/3 "2004-03-24T06:15:29Z")
I figured I’d have to call them, but will wait for more posts. TJ, which Cabinet position do you prefer? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-out-how-many-write-in-votes-i-get-from-the-next-election/236094/4 "2004-03-24T13:35:35Z")
If you’re talking about write-ins for President, if they write in your name, they ballots will be listed as “Invalid.” You have to come up with a slate of electors: a list of people who are pledged to vote for you in the Electoral College. You’ll need as many names as there are electoral votes in your state. Then, you need to contact your state board of elections for instructions. For other offices, people can just write in your name. The Board of Elections will keep a record of how many votes you got. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-out-how-many-write-in-votes-i-get-from-the-next-election/236094/5 "2004-03-24T23:54:12Z")
In many, if not most, states, you cannot have ballots with your name written in for an office tallied unless you have pre-qualified as a write-in candidate. For example, in Ohio, [Ohio Revised Code § 3513.041](http://onlinedocs.andersonpublishing.com/oh/lpExt.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=PORC) requires that a candidate file a “declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate.” This keeps the elections staff from having to tally all the miscellaneous votes for Tom, Dick or Mickey that get made.