# write in candidate and the electoral college

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidate-and-the-electoral-college/639180
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 29, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidate-and-the-electoral-college/639180 "2012-10-29T02:25:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)
#### Post date: [October 29, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidate-and-the-electoral-college/639180/1 "2012-10-29T02:25:02Z")

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How does one vote for a write in candidate with the electoral college system? Do they put down ‘electors for (write in candidate)’?

Also can a person cast a ‘write in a vote’ for a write in elector by name as in John Smith as elector, without specifying a candidate?

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### Author: ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)
#### Post date: [October 29, 2012, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidate-and-the-electoral-college/639180/2 "2012-10-29T04:15:13Z")

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It depends on the state. In Ohio, write-in candidates have to register their elector-candidates. ETA: [Here’s the form.](http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/upload/elections/forms/13-A.pdf)