Archives - Bob Gibson Asks About 'American Candidate' and Write-ins For President
June 2004
Letters to the Editor: Bob Gibson Asks About 'American Candidate' and Write-ins For President
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George,

Isn't it true that write-in votes for president are not permitted or counted in Virginia because the vote of each person is technically for an elector to the Electoral College?

How could one write in a vote for a presidential candidate if that candidate did not have an official and recognized elector? Writing in a vote for an elector is not permitted, is it?

Jim Heilman probably knows the answer because some frustrated individuals probably have tried to cast write-in votes for president and been told that they just can't do it.

Kerry, Bush, Nader and the Libertarian nominee probably have little to worry about from the American Candidate TV show winner if he or she should try to run a write-in campaign. Perhaps the write-in "vote" could be cast on Charlottesville's virtual First Amendment wall or on the George Loper's web site?

Sincerely,

Bob Gibson (electronic mail, June 19, 2004)

Editor's Note: Perhaps you are referring to David RePass letter where he says that a Showtime candidate could have a real effect on the 2004 election presumably by drawing votes away from officially declared candidates.

In Virginia, a write-in vote for a candidate for President shall be counted for the individual electors listed on the declaration of intent as pledged to those candidates. If a candidate has not filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate not less than 10 days before the presidential election, presumably those votes would not be counted.

Write-in votes for President and Vice-President shall be counted only for candidates who have filed a joint declaration of intent to be write-in candidates for the offices with the Secretary of the State Board not less than ten days before the date of the presidential election. The declaration of intent shall be on a form prescribed by the State Board and shall include a list of presidential electors pledged to those candidates which equals the whole number of senators and representatives to which the Commonwealth at that time is entitled in the Congress of the United States. A write-in vote cast for candidates for President and Vice-President, or for a candidate for President only, shall be counted for the individual electors listed on the declaration of intent as pledged to those candidates.

According to Jim Heilman, "For many many years, write-ins for Prez were not allowed in Virginia, but now they are under the stipulations you and Bob quote.

Electors in Virginia are not legally required to vote for whom they represent (unless there's a new law I don't know about)." (electronic mail, June 20, 2004)

At the town meeting in Charlottesville today, several candidates started statements off with, "As President ...". This said, I agree with you that "Virginia has a high enough hurdle to presidential write-ins that people might as well bite the bullet and Kerry or Bush us back to ol' Virginnie." (electronic mail, June 20, 2004)

Comments? Questions? Write me at george@loper.org.