What are the rules for write-in candidates?

In North Carolina, write-in candidates must follow specific rules in order to be eligible to hold elected office. In order for a write-in candidate to be eligible for office in North Carolina, they must first complete a “Notice of Write-In Candidacy” form, which is available from the State Board of Elections. This form must be submitted at least twenty days before Election Day, and it must contain the candidate’s name, address, and the office for which they are running, among other information. Once the form is submitted, the candidate must then campaign to the voters in their district in order to gain support for their candidacy. The candidate may use any form of campaigning they wish, ranging from handouts to gatherings to personal visits. Write-in candidates are also encouraged to communicate with their local election officials to ensure their name appears correctly on the ballot. On Election Day, in order for a write-in vote to be counted, the voter must clearly mark the write-in candidate’s name on the ballot. Ballots that are not properly marked will not be counted. Write-in candidates in North Carolina can be declared the winner of an election if they receive the highest number of votes for the respective office. In this case, the write-in candidate shall be declared the winner without a runoff election.

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