Write-in Candidates (H 7729, S 2757)

Voters should have the right to have their votes tallied, even if it is for a losing cause. Legislation introduced this year would have imposed restrictions on that right, by eliminating the counting of write-in votes for persons who have not filed in advance a "declaration of intent." While many write-in the votes may seem useless, the ACLU testified, they are nonetheless a valid exercise of a person's individual right to vote. The House disagreed and passed this legislation in June, but the Senate never held a vote.