A
write-in candidate is a candidate in an election
whose name does not appear on the ballot, but
for whom voters may vote nonetheless by writing
in the person's name. Write-in votes are votes
cast for a person or persons whose name(s) do
not appear on the official ballot, but can just
as equally be voted into office. The system is
almost totally confined to elections in the United
States, and famous persons have won the election
by write-in, including Herbert Hoover, Franklin
Delano Roosevelt, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In
New York, a write-in vote may be cast by the use
of a name stamp or a pen. A write-in vote must
be cast in the appropriate place on the machine,
or it shall be void and not counted. A voter need
not write in the first and last name of a candidate
in every situation; the standard is whether the
election inspectors can reasonably determine the
intent of the voter when they cast their ballot.
To
vote for a person whose name is not printed on
this ballot write or stamp his or her name in
the space labeled "write-in" that appears
(insert at the bottom of the column, the end of
the row or at the bottom of the candidate names,
as applicable) for such office (and, if required
by the voting system in use at such election,
the instructions may also include "and fill
in the (insert oval or square, as applicable)
corresponding with the write-in space in which
you have written in a name").
Charles
J. Hargrove is a write-in Candidate for US Congress,
and is in compliance with New York State 'Election
Law' (L.1976, Cg. 233, Sec. 1-104) & Title
III. Sec. 8-308.
Example of a Write-in Ballot
