Election 2016: What You Didn’t Know About Write-In Candidate Votes

Election season is upon us and there may be some voting rules that you were not aware of.

If you’re planning on writing in a candidate, understand your vote may not count.

In North Dakota, write in candidates for state and federal office must register with the state.
 
“Certain offices on a state wide basis for when they have to apply to be accounted for write in votes,” said Cass County Auditor Michael Montplaisir. “A deadline to get on the ballot and then another deadline to be counted as a write in vote.”
 
In addition, candidates who want to be considered for write-ins must submit a statement prior to the election.
 
“It happens almost every election where people’s names are written in and they never intended to run as a write-in,” explained Montplaisir. “And this just kind of clarifies that if I intend to run as a write-in, I have to file to run as a write-in prior to Election Day.”
 
However, it seems voters have not been aware of this rule and continue to send in their ballots whether it is past the deadline or not.
 
“I think that’s unfortunate because I think a lot of people aren’t always satisfied with who shows up on the ballot and they have an idea of someone who would do a lot better,” said Spencer Moir, who is Student Body President at NDSU. “But if you don’t know how to get them on the ballot or to write their name in, you’re really limited to what you have there.”
 
Student government officials explain how they get the word out to make sure the community is fully prepared to writing out candidate votes.
 
“So at NDSU we’re doing a much better job at using our public relations chair to use like social media and posters,” said Moir. “So with students, social media is huge and it’s really easy to engage them that way.”
 
Unfortunately, the deadline to register as a write-in has passed in the state.

North Dakota residents are not required to register to vote, but must bring a photo ID with them on Election Day.