Follow Us

Presidential Election

Here's Why Some Write-In Votes For President Might Not Count

Even if there's a spot on the ballot to write in a candidate for president, your vote might not count.

Here's Why Some Write-In Votes For President Might Not Count

Newsy

Article by Lauren Stephenson

October 17, 2016

If you don't like who's on your ballot this election, there's an easy solution: Write in your own candidate.

SEE MORE: Is The Election Stressing You Out? Here's How To Survive Until Nov. 8

"I think I might write in Lindsey Graham. He's an old good friend of mine, and lot of people like him," Arizona Sen. John McCain said recently during a debate.

But before you write in Lindsey Graham, red sweater aficionado Ken Bone or even Mickey Mouse, you should probably figure out if that's something you can even do.

Yep. Not every state allows write-in candidates for the office of the president, and many that do allow it have specific rules about it.

Nine states don't allow voters to write in a candidate. Period.

Thirty-three states allow write-in candidates but require a candidate to file a declaration of intent to run for office — or, at a bare minimum, provide elector information.

So in McCain's case, a vote for Graham won't be counted. Like many states that require filings for write-in candidates, Arizona's deadline has already passed. And Graham didn't file.

So that leaves only eight states that count the votes of any name written in. But even then, the candidates need to meet the eligibility requirements for office. And fictional characters aren't usually counted, either. Sorry, Mickey.

So you're best off checking on the specific rules with your state to make sure your write-in vote will actually be counted.

More information on write-in candidacy rules for each state can be found below:

Top Stories

A man searches collapsed buildings in Turkey.

Rescuers scramble in Turkey, Syria after quake kills 3,400

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck a region transformed by Syria's 12-year war.

Gregg Hudson, executive director and CEO of Dallas Zoo Management, Inc., responds to questions during a news conference

Criminals now targeting zoo animals

The Dallas Zoo has dealt with a trend of vandalism and animal disappearances since January.

By Tony Gutierrez / AP

A man steps out of Lake Michigan.

This group starts its mornings with a frigid Lake Michigan swim

A group of Chicago swimmers say a dive into the cold Lake Michigan each morning helps their body and mind.

By Scripps News