“What is a write-in candidate?”
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 candidates are a holdover from the time when ballot papers were blank, and had no names printed on them at all. Gradually, the ballots were arranged to have all the names of the candidates printed on them, with a “write-in” provision for latecomers.
Every voter should learn how to do a write-in vote. While not used very often in comparison to regular voting, it’s a basic voting necessity. This year, make it a point to learn how to do one.
How do I cast a vote for a write-in candidate?
- Look at the voting screen for the write-in column and the office for which you want to write in your vote. Push the write-in button for the Council at Large office. A lighted X will begin flashing inside this box.
- Look to the bottom of the machine and find the test screen to your left and the keyboard to your right. Using the keyboard type in “JIM CARLUCCI.”
- When you’re finished typing, check the text screen to make sure you spelled “JIM CARLUCCI” correctly and press the green “Enter” button. The lighted X will stop blinking and you have just written in your vote!
- here’s a three minute video demonstrating voting procedures for the same machines we use in Mercer County (the video is from the Montgomery County, PA website). If you go about 1:45 in, there is a demonstration of the process for writing in a vote. I’ve also posted a link to the video in the column to the write so you can reference it more easily if you return to this site.
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