Thousands of Humboldt Write-In Votes Disregarded [View All]

[GuvWurld]

http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_4036141

Article Launched: 07/11/2006 04:27:13 AM PDT

Write-in revolt -- almost
James Faulk / The Times-Standard

Thousands of voters try to cross party lines, and fail

EUREKA -- Potentially thousands of Humboldt County voters weren't happy with the choices on their ballot this past election and tried to write in the name of someone they felt was better able to serve.

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Humboldt County Elections Officer Lindsey McWilliams said the high number of write-in votes may have had to do with the public's desire for open primaries, where any voter can vote for any candidate in any election.

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But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that open primaries were unconstitutional, and now only Republicans and Democrats can vote in their primary elections, minus a few exceptions.

Thousands of voters here, though, did not understand the rule or chose to protest it by writing in candidates from the opposing party.

Such votes were wasted, because in order to receive a write-in vote, a candidate has to file a write-in candidate's statement and the required number of signatures, among other things.

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