Curious About What Happens Once You Write in a Vote?
Author: Erin Clausen
Date: 10/11/2024 9:35 AM
The SLO County Elections Office lays out exactly what happens when you decide not to vote for a candidate on the ballot and instead choose to use that "write-in" line. Does it mean that your Uncle Bob will show up in the official election results?
If you’ve looked at your ballot for the upcoming General Election, you probably noticed that under the listed candidates for U.S. President and several other offices, there’s an additional bubble next to a line that says “write-in.”
Some people use this opportunity to write the name of their favorite sports hero or cartoon character, obviously knowing that they won't actually be able to elect that person (or character). Other times they use the line to write in a phrase of protest. One could easily argue that this is a waste of a legitimate vote, but regardless: It is the right of the voter to make that choice.
While writing a random name on that line doesn’t translate into an actual vote for Mickey Mouse, for instance, what it does do is ensure that the voter’s ballot will be flagged for adjudication, as any ballot with a write-in vote (or stray pen marks, or a vote for too many or too few candidates in a particular contest) will be. Ballots flagged for adjudication are set aside and reviewed carefully in teams of two Elections staff, and together the staff evaluate whether there is a valid vote to be counted for the contest in question. In the case of Mickey or any of his friends, this means that ultimately, the vote will be disregarded and not tallied. And your Uncle Bob? Unfortunately for him, his name won't appear on any election results report. The good news is that a write-in like this does not "spoil" the entire ballot; any other valid votes cast on it can still be counted.
So in some respects, a scenario like this could be deemed a case of “no harm, no foul.” And again, a voter is within their rights to vote however they see fit.
But it’s important to note that that process of adjudicating write-ins of any sort takes time, and California already has an elections process that takes far longer than that of other states. While it might not seem like much, that review of an unqualified write-in takes a minute. And when you multiply that times thousands of ballot needing adjudication, you get updated results that are held up by hours or even days.
Of course, in specific circumstances there might be a qualified write-in candidate that, once adjudicated, receives an actual vote. But in many cases, the Secretary of State hasn’t confirmed any qualified candidates – so why are the write-in lines still there?
That answer lies in timing; the ballots are actually printed well before the deadline for submitting paperwork to become a write-in candidate. In other words, counties have to prepare as if there will be an eligible write-in, even if it’s very unlikely.
Your local Elections Office urges you to bear this in mind the next time you cast your ballot. If you’re inclined to support a qualified write-in candidate, then go for it. But if you’re feeling the urge to write in your friend, neighbor, or family dog, well – maybe think twice.
