FAQs: Write-In Candidates
If you want to write in the name of someone who is not on the ballot and have your vote count, you may do so in the space provided on your ballot. Write-in votes will be counted only if that person has filed a Declaration of Intent to be a write-in candidate as required by law. See one exception below.
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 before the election, no Declaration of Intent is necessary. In such a case, 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.
You must file a Declaration of Intent to be a write-in candidate with the filing official for the office you seek on or before 4 p.m. on the second Friday immediately before the election.