# Write-in Candidates in US Presidential Elections
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidates-in-us-presidential-elections/628522
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 17, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidates-in-us-presidential-elections/628522 "2012-07-17T14:42:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidates-in-us-presidential-elections/628522/1 "2012-07-17T14:42:04Z")
Are [write-in candidates](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Write-in_candidate) allowed in US presidential general elections? The Wikipedia article mentions several victorious write-in candidacies in presidential _primaries_, but I didn’t see anything specifically stating someone’s name can be written in during a general election.
That list also appears to mention write-in candidacies by state – I’m guessing the individual states/jurisdictions set their own rules for the ballots for the general election of the president? Or would the same rules apply nationwide?
I know there are always joke campaigns urging us to write in a name in the general election, but is it always allowed? Or on a state-by-state basis? And/or only in primaries?
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidates-in-us-presidential-elections/628522/2 "2012-07-17T15:05:25Z")
It’s allowed in [all but eight states](http://www.anamericanvision.com/info/state_certifications.php). There is a way to write-in candidates, though the system differs by state.
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### Author:  [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidates-in-us-presidential-elections/628522/3 "2012-07-17T15:22:03Z")
Interesting chart. Some of those entries for the various states say “for the general election” and some are more opaque.
I’m especially interested in the MD/DC/VA area. I see [some articles claiming](http://www.rollcall.com/news/Gingrich-Will-Mount-Write-in-Campaign-for-Virginia-GOP-Primary-211265-1.html) that Virginia does not allow write ins for the _primaries_; not sure if they exclude the general election.
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### Author:  [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidates-in-us-presidential-elections/628522/4 "2012-07-17T18:35:10Z")
As the chart indicates, there are only a few states where a write-in vote is counted without the candidate having done any preparatory work. In most states the candidate must apply to the elections board to be a viable write-in candidate.
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### Author:  [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidates-in-us-presidential-elections/628522/5 "2012-07-17T18:46:16Z")
> [@suranyi](#):
>
> As the chart indicates, there are only a few states where a write-in vote is counted without the candidate having done any preparatory work.
How would that even work? Do voters also have to write in the electors? If you vote for Joe Lunatic and he doesn’t have a slate of elector candidates, you’ve essentially voted for nobody.
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### Author:  [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidates-in-us-presidential-elections/628522/6 "2012-07-17T18:58:08Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#):
>
> How would that even work? Do voters also have to write in the electors? If you vote for Joe Lunatic and he doesn’t have a slate of elector candidates, you’ve essentially voted for nobody.
From what I’ve seen via a spot check of election laws, many states deal with this problem by . . . ignoring it. God help them if Joe Lunatic ever wins.
(Some states require Joe to file a declaration of candidacy with an electoral slate before they’ll count his votes. But not all.)
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### Author:  [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidates-in-us-presidential-elections/628522/7 "2012-07-17T19:11:19Z")
In Virginia, Joe Lunatic files some document stating that he expects write-in votes and providing a list of electors who will vote on his behalf. I assume that this must be done before the election, but I’m not sure.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/write-in-candidates-in-us-presidential-elections/628522/8 "2012-07-17T20:00:39Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> It’s allowed in [all but eight states](http://www.anamericanvision.com/info/state_certifications.php). There is a way to write-in candidates, though the system differs by state.
I have to question that site’s claim that there’s a “Constitutional Right to the Freedom of Choice at the Federal Election Ballot Polls”. Where in the text of the Constitution did they find that?