More on third parties

Reader Penny Starr writes in to share more information about third parties in our presidential race.

“Thank you for bringing third parties to the attention of those who may not have heard of them. The further into primary season we go, more and more people are saying they will write in their favorite candidate, whether he is on the ballot or not. While I understand the sentiment, it is not a wise move to make. In seven states, write in votes are not allowed, period. In 35 others, the candidate him/herself must file paperwork to be a write-in candidate. If these requirements are not fulfilled, any write in vote for that candidate is not even tallied, and in many cases, the entire ballot is discarded and down ticket candidates are deprived of their votes, as well.”