After reviewing the 90+-page report of write-in votes for Muscogee County, I have to say; I have had a good laugh over some of the names people wrote in on November 2. Daffy Duck, Buster the Cat, George W. Bush, “Is this the best GA can Do?” Mickey Mouse, Madonna, Cam Newton, and, of course, Jesus, top the list of write-favorites.
But why do we write-in candidates? Dissatisfaction with the slate? Lack of concern? Ignorance? For months following the July primary I heard folks talk about the upcoming general election with feelings less than joyful ringing in their voices. After a 7 gubernatorial candidate primary and a nasty run-off, it was no surprise to see former Secretary of State Karen Handel received a couple of dozen write-ins, as well as two votes for Ray McBerry and one for Eric Johnson. I was a little surprised to not see Oxendine, but it is just a Muscogee County list.
With an $18 billion dollar budget to manage, redistricting on the horizon, and the HOPE scholarship in serious danger, was it merely a voter rights issue when it came to writing in candidates or was it an irresponsible way of expressing displeasure with the candidates selected by the voters in July? In an election year where both parties were fighting for every vote and it seemed that most races turned ugly, was it an educated decision to write in a candidate, especially in races that “really” mattered?
Let’s be frank, even if 51% of Georgia voters had written in Janis Joplin or Jesus Christ-and yes, both did get votes-neither would have been elected Governor because they didn’t qualify as write-in candidates. To be a write-in candidate in the State of Georgia, one must send notice to the Secretary of State’s office and run a legal notice in the paper. However, those who lost in the primary are not eligible. Also, if the names are spelled incorrectly, then the vote is not counted. The only two candidates to qualify in Georgia were David Byrne of Kennesaw and Neal Horsely of Carrollton.
While even I can hardly resist the fun of writing in candidates in races where there is no opposition or even, in rare cases, no candidate, the knowledge that we must have strong leadership under the Gold Dome weighed too heavily on my conscious to allow me to write in anyone in the races on the top of the ballot.
So what are your thoughts? And remember, it’s T.H.E.R.E.S.A. G.A.R.C.I.A…
{ 7 comments }
Did you win YOUR write-in race?
You’ll have to read my blog around 10AM to find out! http://theresagarcia.wordpress.com/
Welcome to the PP!
In Toombs County, there were two write-ins for Droopy Dog, but I think those votes counted toward Johnny Isakson.
In one of the uncontested Court of Appeals races, I wrote in the Corpse of President Grover Cleveland… mainly to give Lawton Sack a chuckle as he was counting votes.
As every Presidential election rolls around, I find myself wondering how many write-ins Pat Paulsen still gets.
Write-ins (I wrote in somebody for every uncontested election – especially all those judges) are a way to communicate to the person elected that his mandate is tiny. Every non-vote is a vote against whoever won the election, and every elected official should remember that. 51% of the vote in a 50% turnout is 25% of the voter base – so govern accordingly!
I think there are folks out there who would argue that every race “really” matters, no matter how glitzy the office is.
One member of my family wrote in Karen Handel knowing the vote wouldn’t count. I’ve certainly written in before, and in doing so, I’m also fully aware that the vote won’t count.
I’m a “super-voter”; I don’t skip elections. However, there are times when my conscience won’t allow me to choose the options presented to me on the ballot, so that’s when I write in a candidate. And I think that’s the message you’re getting from those folks who wrote in for governor. Might as well have a little fun with the name they scribble in the blank, right?
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