Definition

1. Noun:
   • A candidate for public office whose name does not appear on the ballot and so must be written on the ballot by the voters: A person running for an election who is not officially listed on the printed ballot. Voters who wish to support this candidate must manually write the candidate's name in a designated space on the ballot.

Usage

• The term is used in the context of elections and voting procedures. It specifies a type of candidacy that relies on voter initiative to be recognized.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • She launched her campaign as a write-in candidate after missing the filing deadline.
  • The election was won by a write-in candidate, which was a historic surprise.
  • To vote for him, you must select "other" and enter his name as a write-in candidate.

Advanced Usage

• "To run as a write-in candidate": This phrase describes the action of campaigning for office without being pre-printed on the ballot.
  • Despite the challenges, he decided to run as a write-in candidate.
• "Write-in campaign": A campaign organized to elect a write-in candidate.
  • The successful write-in campaign required extensive voter education.

Variants and Related Words

• Write-in (noun/adjective): Refers to a vote cast for a write-in candidate or the act of writing a name on a ballot. Also used adjectivally (e.g., , ).
  • He received thousands of write-ins.
• Ballot-access candidate: A candidate whose name is printed on the ballot, often contrasted with a write-in candidate.

Synonyms

• Unofficial candidate (though this is less precise, as a write-in candidate can be an official, registered candidate who simply is not listed on the ballot).
• Candidate not on the ballot (a descriptive phrase).

Related Phrases

• Spoiler candidate: A candidate who cannot win but whose presence affects the outcome of the election; a write-in candidate can sometimes serve this role.
• Protest vote: A vote cast for a candidate, including a write-in, to express dissatisfaction with the main candidates.

Noun

1. a candidate for public office whose name does not appear on the ballot and so must be written on the ballot by the voters