Write-in Candidate Information
A person may file a declaration of intent to run as a write-in for office in any election including the general election (13-10-211(1), MCA). The deadline for filing a Declaration of Intent to run as a write-in candidate for the 2008 general election is 5:00 p.m. September 26, 2008. The filing fee must be paid when the declaration is submitted to the Secretary of State's office.
Use of pre-printed labels:
- Pre-printed labels are not prohibited by law.
- A candidate is advised to check with the local election administratorregarding use of pre-printed labels.
- People who vote by writing in a candidate’s name or use labels for this purpose must still mark the designated voting area for the candidate.
- If a county uses vote tabulating equipment, the use of pre-printed labels may not be advisable based on the manufacturer’s caution, and experience of election administrators:
- Stickers can degrade the performance of the tabulators depending on:
- type of label used
- tabulators involved
- the way the labels are applied
- number of voters that use the labels
According to Election Systems and Software, manufacturer of tabulating equipment used in most Montana counties, “despite the consequences involved, stickers have been used successfully in the past, and are not uncommon.” To minimize any potential problems or disruptions, ES&S has published guidelines for use of labels.
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