How to Write in When Voting in Pennsylvania

Vote for whomever you like, even if they aren't on the ballot.

A write-in candidate is a candidate who isn't on the ballot at the time of the election. While most people vote for candidates belonging to a major party, such as Republican or Democrat, some people are unhappy with all of the choices. Fortunately, there's the option of writing in the name of whomever you wish. While each county may have a different type of voting machine, there's a basic outline for the process of writing in a candidate when voting in Pennsylvania.

Instructions

1. Insert your ballot or cartridge into the machine, if necessary. All voting machines are touchscreen, but there are different machines for different counties. Machines in some counties may require you to insert a paper ballot or cartridge, but others may simply employ a touchscreen that requires you to insert nothing. After inserting your ballot or cartridge, you will finish filling out your ballot on the machine's touchscreen.

2. Touch the box, oval or "X" shape next to the option that says "write-in candidate" on the voting machine's touchscreen. Some machines will have a touchscreen keyboard that appears on the screen, while some machines may have an electronic pen. The Danaher Electronic 1242 machine used in Philadelphia County, for instance, has a red button that blinks once you touch "write-in candidate." Touch the red button to open a physical (non-touchscreen) black shutter located on the front of the machine.

3. Type in the name of your write-in candidate if your machine has a touchscreen keyboard. Touch "Next" on the screen to continue filling out your ballot. If, however, your machine has the black shutter, like the Danaher Electronic 1242, use the electronic pen to write the name of your candidate in the space that appears beneath the black shutter. Close the shutter when you're finished to submit your vote. The blinking red light will automatically turn off.

4. Press the red or green "Vote" button located on the front of the machine when you have finished voting. You will then see a confirmation screen notifying you that your vote has been submitted.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit the link in the References section to find out which voting machine your county has. Select your county, and then click "Go." Click "Watch Video" to see how to cast a write-in ballot for your county.

• If, when voting, you forget how to vote for a write-in candidate, or you become confused on the machine, simply ask an election official for help.

References

• Votes PA: Voting System Demos