Can you write in a name for the presidential election?
ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) — Whether you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent voter, the candidates for the 2024 Presidential Election may not be your first choices. So can you write in a name this Nov. 5?
Well, it will depend on where you are a registered voter.
What is a 'write-in'?
Besides the names on the ballot, some states allow you to vote for other candidates, by writing in their name.
Most states let you write in votes for president, U.S. senator, U.S. representative, governor and other state offices.
Will a write-in vote count?
Writing in a name does not mean that the vote will count. Many states require write-in candidates to file paperwork before the election. Otherwise, the state will not count the person's votes.
What states do not allow for write-ins?
Ten states nationwide do not allow for write-in candidates: Nevada, South Dakota, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Alaska, and Hawaii.
2020 write-in names
During the 2020 Presidential Election a total of 179,740 or 0.11% of the popular vote were miscellaneous write-ins.
Some states do not disclose all the names that were write-in votes, according to the Federal Election Commission.
"Totals for write-in votes are shown as disclosed by the state," the FEC states. "Some states list the names of candidates who received write-in votes, while others provide a write-in vote total without the names of the candidates who received the votes."
Here are some 2020 write-ins:
- Mickey Mouse
- God
- Kanye West
- None of These
- Batman
- Anybody Else
- South Park
- Baby Yoda
- Elon Musk
- Oprah
- Patrick Mahomes