How To Write-In Your Vote

EARLY VOTING opens July 12th and runs through the 27th, with the primary being held August 1st.

With several citizens running as a write-in candidate, the ballot may seem intimidating, but Administrator of Elections Rusty Isbell ensures the community, "There is an extra step or two, but the process remains simple to understand and able to be easily used."

On the Scan Voting System, a line is provided for casting a write-in vote following the names of the candidates or the designation "No Candidate Filed" for each office listed on the ballot.

To successfully write-in your vote, you must print the name of the write-in candidate on the line and darken the oval to the left of the name you write or type in.

In determining the validity of a write-in vote, the spelling of the candidate's name doesn't need to be exact as long as the intent of the voter can be determined. There should be some relationship between the appearance or the sound of the name written in and that of the candidate's actual name. In the case of a misspelled name, a majority of the judges must agree as to the intent of the voter and whether or not the write-in vote will be counted. Printing the name of the write-in candidate is just as valid as writing the name in script, however, the use of stickers or a rubber stamp by a voter does not constitute a valid write-in vote.

Isbell wants to remind voters, "Once at a polling station, we cannot tell you names or offices for which anyone is running. You must know that before walking in to cast your vote.

The following offices are up for election: U.S. Senate, State Senate 28th District, State House of Representatives 69th District, Assessor of Property, Commissioner of Highways, School Board Member (Districts 2-4-6-8), and School Board Member (District 5 - Unexpired Term).