As polls signal widespread dissatisfaction with Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe, voter fatigue may lead some Virginians to vote for Robert C. Sarvis, the Libertarian candidate for governor.
But politically conscious voters have another option, casting write-in ballots.
So how do voters correctly write in a name that is not on the ballot? Lt. Gov. William T. Bolling, for example, goes by Bill.
The state code is silent regarding specific rules, said Nikki Sheridan, policy adviser with the State Board of Elections.
“It seems that the responsibility for messaging regarding the consistent and correct use of a write-in candidate’s name belongs to the candidate running as a write-in,” Sheridan said.
Since Bolling is not running a write-in campaign and did not provide clear instructions, each locality’s electoral board would ascertain the write-in votes cast for him.
~ Richmond Times-Dispatch