Write-in Voting in Michigan

Under Michigan law (2006), in most cases, a write-in vote will not be counted unless the individual receiving the vote has filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate. This provision eliminates the need for election officials to count frivolous votes, such as for cartoon characters or individuals who have no intention to serve if elected. The deadline for a write-in candidate to file the declaration of intent is 4 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election.

If a candidate whose name is printed on the official ballot for the election dies or is otherwise disqualified on or after the Wednesday immediately preceding the election, the requirement of filing a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate does not apply to a write-in candidate. If a death or disqualification has occurred, the board of election inspectors shall count all write-in votes for write-in candidates for the office sought by the deceased or disqualified candidate.

Marking your ballot for a write-in candidate for office: Clearly write the name of the person you wish to vote for on the line provided on your ballot AND make the appropriate mark on the ballot (fill in the oval, make a check mark, or connect lines - according to your type of ballot) to indicate that this is your choice for the office. Be sure to write legibly and write in the person's name correctly. Do not cast a write-in vote for a person whose name is already printed on the ballot for that office.