What is a Write-In Candidate and how do I complete the ballot?

Apr

What is a Write-In Candidate and how do I complete the ballot?

Posted by GSDispatch Editor in by Citizens for Responsible Government, GSD Online

In the state of Missouri…

Sample Write-In Ballot

A “write-in candidate” is a person:

whose name is not printed on the ballot (see 115.453(4,5,6) RSMo); and
who has filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for election to office with the proper election authority prior to 5:00 p.m. on the second Friday immediately preceding the election day. It is not necessary to file a declaration of intent if there are no candidates on the ballot for that office. (see 115.453 (4) RSMo)

Frequently asked questions on write-in candidates

Can a write-in candidate be on a primary election ballot?

No. (Section 115.453 (5) RSMo)

If a candidate runs in a primary election and loses, can the person run in the general election for the same office?

No. If a candidate files for nomination to an office and is not nominated at a primary election, that candidate cannot file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for the same office at the general election. (Section 115.453(4) RSMo)

Are write-in candidates posted at the polling place?

No. The election authority shall furnish a list to the election judges and counting teams prior to Election Day of all write-in candidates who have filed a declaration of intent. (Section 115.453(4) RSMo)

Are write-in votes counted for every name that is written in?

No. If a candidate is on the ballot for an office, write-in votes are counted only for the candidates who have filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate with the proper election authority. (Section 115.453(4), first sentence) If no candidate is on the ballot for an office, it is not required to file a declaration of intent and votes are counted for every name properly written in. (Section 115.453(4) RSMo, last sentence)

What if the voter casts a vote for a candidate on the ballot and properly writes in the name of someone for the same office?

In this case, no candidate for the office shall be counted as this is considered an over vote. If cross (X) marks appear next to the names of more candidates for an office than are entitled to fill the office, no candidate for the office shall be counted as voted for. (Section 115.453.2)

source: Missouri Secretary of State, Elections, Write-In Candidates

Paid for by Citizens for Responsible Government, Andrea Cohen Treasurer.

tagged: ballot, greenwood, Leah Foster, Mayor, write-in

Mark

I guess it’s pretty obvious who the dispatch wants to see written in.
Mark

I guess it’s pretty obvious who the dispatch wants to see written in.
Tony Kays

True, good idea for an article, an insert name here would have been more proper. Perhaps just a question at the bottom on whether Greenwood had any write-in candidates and listing them out at the end of the article. Though it does say at the top “by Citizens for Responsible Government ”. Thats better then nothing I suppose. This paper at least for the last year(I moved here right before Nic Cover) has received articles from a variety of sources not all neutral. I’ve gotten use to it. At least we have something here in Greenwood, though I wish it still was printed on occasion.
Tony Kays

Like everything, we all need to be an individual, think for yourself and take everything with a grain of salt. Time to go vote.
Tony Kays

True, good idea for an article, an insert name here would have been more proper. Perhaps just a question at the bottom on whether Greenwood had any write-in candidates and listing them out at the end of the article. Though it does say at the top “by Citizens for Responsible Government ”. Thats better then nothing I suppose. This paper at least for the last year(I moved here right before Nic Cover) has received articles from a variety of sources not all neutral. I’ve gotten use to it. At least we have something here in Greenwood, though I wish it still was printed on occasion.
Tony Kays

Like everything, we all need to be an individual, think for yourself and take everything with a grain of salt. Time to go vote.
Jenn W

If you’ll notice – at the bottom of the article it says “Paid for by Citizens for Responsible Government, Andrea Cohen Treasurer.” This is a paid-for advertorial.

The Dispatch is non-partisan and is not supporting any of the candidates.
Jenn W

If you’ll notice – at the bottom of the article it says “Paid for by Citizens for Responsible Government, Andrea Cohen Treasurer.” This is a paid-for advertorial.

The Dispatch is non-partisan and is not supporting any of the candidates.
Jenn W

We wish it was still printed on occassion too – that takes advertising dollars. Do you have a business or service you would like to advertise with us? We are hoping that the economy will improve soon and we’ll be able to have enough advertising support to print again.
Jenn W

We wish it was still printed on occassion too – that takes advertising dollars. Do you have a business or service you would like to advertise with us? We are hoping that the economy will improve soon and we’ll be able to have enough advertising support to print again.
GSDispatch Editor

Tony, when you say “has received articles from a variety of sources not all neutral. I’ve gotten used to it.” — what do you mean? Because the Dispatch accepts and publishes articles from those who submit them. Although we continue to encourage it, not everyone (or every “side”) submits them.
GSDispatch Editor

Tony, when you say “has received articles from a variety of sources not all neutral. I’ve gotten used to it.” — what do you mean? Because the Dispatch accepts and publishes articles from those who submit them. Although we continue to encourage it, not everyone (or every “side”) submits them.
Jenn W

If you would like a recent example – Alderman Payne, Alderwoman Ring and Mayor DeCourcy were all asked for “exit articles” since they were leaving office. We also gave Alderman Van Acker an opportunity to answer a few questions or submit a statment as well. Alderman Payne, Alderman Van Acker and Mayor DeCourcy submitted letters – which we published, unedited. Alderwoman Ring choose to send her article to the Lee’s Summit Tribune. Therefore, Alderwoman Ring’s voice was not heard here at The Dispatch, even though the forum was open to her and her input was requested repeatedly.

If you have a letter to the editor you would like to submit, or an article about your kids sports team, or a how-to article about spring cleaning your yard, or a really cool picture you took of the lightening the other day, or… submit it, we encourage our readers to participate actively in the paper – not only by participating here on the forum, but also by contributing content.
Jenn W

If you would like a recent example – Alderman Payne, Alderwoman Ring and Mayor DeCourcy were all asked for “exit articles” since they were leaving office. We also gave Alderman Van Acker an opportunity to answer a few questions or submit a statment as well. Alderman Payne, Alderman Van Acker and Mayor DeCourcy submitted letters – which we published, unedited. Alderwoman Ring choose to send her article to the Lee’s Summit Tribune. Therefore, Alderwoman Ring’s voice was not heard here at The Dispatch, even though the forum was open to her and her input was requested repeatedly.

If you have a letter to the editor you would like to submit, or an article about your kids sports team, or a how-to article about spring cleaning your yard, or a really cool picture you took of the lightening the other day, or… submit it, we encourage our readers to participate actively in the paper – not only by participating here on the forum, but also by contributing content.
Michelle S

Yes, this “Featured Article” is really a Paid Advertisement for a write-in candidate (note the “Paid for by Citizens for Responsible Government, Andrea Cohen Treasurer” at the bottom).

This Ad is posing as a “Featured Article”.

It reminds me of a case where another newspaper created an Ad for a tv show and designed it to look more like it was an actual true story about a rookie police officer, when it was really about a fictional tv show paid for by an advertiser.

The paper in that case said that they wanted to “stretch traditional boundaries” of news. That paper noted that they also needed the money, in an “anything for a dollar” mentality. The editor for that paper was on vacation when it happened and called it “horrible”. A group of writers said it, “makes a mockery of our integrity and journalistic standards.” Readers started cancelling their subscriptions because they did not like the attempt to fool them. (Fewer subscribers, harder to get advertisers….)

Items listed at “Featured Articles” that are really Paid Advertisements do not help the credibility of a newspaper.
Michelle S

Yes, this “Featured Article” is really a Paid Advertisement for a write-in candidate (note the “Paid for by Citizens for Responsible Government, Andrea Cohen Treasurer” at the bottom).

This Ad is posing as a “Featured Article”.

It reminds me of a case where another newspaper created an Ad for a tv show and designed it to look more like it was an actual true story about a rookie police officer, when it was really about a fictional tv show paid for by an advertiser.

The paper in that case said that they wanted to “stretch traditional boundaries” of news. That paper noted that they also needed the money, in an “anything for a dollar” mentality. The editor for that paper was on vacation when it happened and called it “horrible”. A group of writers said it, “makes a mockery of our integrity and journalistic standards.” Readers started cancelling their subscriptions because they did not like the attempt to fool them. (Fewer subscribers, harder to get advertisers….)

Items listed at “Featured Articles” that are really Paid Advertisements do not help the credibility of a newspaper.
Phil Kloster

Nice post. You make some fair critiques. Paid advertorials are a new offering for us. This space is available for purchase from either side or any business for that matter. We took a lot of criticism from the election last year in which the ultimate winners of seats advertised heavily with us and the losers did not. I won’t apologize for selling space on our website. Perhaps we should have also put “paid for by” in the header of the article as well. Do you have any other suggestions how we can sell the space while maintaining credibility?
Phil Kloster

Nice post. You make some fair critiques. Paid advertorials are a new offering for us. This space is available for purchase from either side or any business for that matter. We took a lot of criticism from the election last year in which the ultimate winners of seats advertised heavily with us and the losers did not. I won’t apologize for selling space on our website. Perhaps we should have also put “paid for by” in the header of the article as well. Do you have any other suggestions how we can sell the space while maintaining credibility?
Tony Kays

Brynn-Marie, I was mainly referring to the advertorials Phil mentions above, but I have noticed user submitted articles as well. To Phil’s mention of last year’s election, I like those he mentioned felt there was a slight air of favoritism. Whether that was due to lack of submissions/advertising I do not remember. I really will have to take your word on it as anything I would have to put up would be conjecture at this point. The system you have in place is understandable. You have limited staff and resources so you have to take stories and money where you can get it to keep the paper/site operating. This is in reference to using advertorials. It is not a perfect system, but you do a good job and for those that would criticize I have yet to see someone else take a better stab at it. For this, I thank you and those that contribute. I am not a writer, but I will try to find a subject sometime this year for a letter to the editor. Baby steps for me.
Tony Kays

Brynn-Marie, I was mainly referring to the advertorials Phil mentions above, but I have noticed user submitted articles as well. To Phil’s mention of last year’s election, I like those he mentioned felt there was a slight air of favoritism. Whether that was due to lack of submissions/advertising I do not remember. I really will have to take your word on it as anything I would have to put up would be conjecture at this point. The system you have in place is understandable. You have limited staff and resources so you have to take stories and money where you can get it to keep the paper/site operating. This is in reference to using advertorials. It is not a perfect system, but you do a good job and for those that would criticize I have yet to see someone else take a better stab at it. For this, I thank you and those that contribute. I am not a writer, but I will try to find a subject sometime this year for a letter to the editor. Baby steps for me.
Tony Kays

Not right now I don’t, but I’ll keep the paper in mind when I do.
Tony Kays

Not right now I don’t, but I’ll keep the paper in mind when I do.
Jenn W

We appreciate that Tony – it’s all we ask for -keep reading, keep participating in this forum and as far as baby steps go – that’s where we all started. Thank you.
Jenn W

We appreciate that Tony – it’s all we ask for -keep reading, keep participating in this forum and as far as baby steps go – that’s where we all started. Thank you.

What is a Write-In Candidate and how do I complete the ballot?

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