how does writing a candidate in on the ballot work?

[NewbieInVermont]

Not sure which forum this belongs in, but is Ron Paul going to sign up to be an official write-in candidate if he's not the nominee? How does this work? I also hear that different states have different rules....

 

[The One]

I'll be taking a big, fat Sharpie into the voting booth with me. I'll write RON PAUL in big letters across the ballot. Then I'll draw a big arrow pointing to his name and write "I'm voting for this dude."

 

[IPSecure]

The optical scan machines will not recognize your vote...

No one will see it...

 

[The One]

The optical scan machines will not recognize your vote...

No one will see it...

I was just joshin'!!!

BTW--I think I told you before, I pee standing up.

 

[cnaw]

To write someone in, some states require the canidate to be a "declared write in canidate". Kind of defeats the purpose. Though it probably cuts down on votes for the Mouse.

 

[NewbieInVermont]

To write someone in, some states require the canidate to be a "declared write in canidate". Kind of defeats the purpose. Though it probably cuts down on votes for the Mouse.

So... is that a possibility for RP? And how does it defeat the purpose? I'm new to all this - as you can see by my name.
Also, is there any point in canvassing or otherwise getting the message out in a state that has already had a primary? And if he's not on the ballot at all, then there's really no point to it, right?? (Other than to educate people for the next time around). I'm a little confused....

 

[Bradley in DC]

Ok, someone needs to do a compilation of these by state. I've not found one quickly. All states are different (of course); in some, the candidate needs to register, in some they even need to file a slate of presidential electors to the Electoral College.

Here's a start:
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/election_2008/qualifications/wi_pres_nov2008.pdf

 

[Crickett]

I think we need to talk to HQ and make certain that plans to write in Ron are finalized in each state if he does not want us to vote for the Constitution Party's candidate. They should be doing the research and making certain his status for write in is official in all 50 states. IMHO

 

[Bradley in DC]

I think we need to talk to HQ and make certain that plans to write in Ron are finalized in each state if he does not want us to vote for the Constitution Party's candidate. They should be doing the research and making certain his status for write in is official in all 50 states. IMHO