Print Version (PDF)

AP20:020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2020
CONTACT:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575

Secretary of State Padilla Certifies Write-in Candidates List for March 3, 2020, Presidential Primary Election 

SACRAMENTO – California Secretary of State Alex Padilla today certified the list of write-in candidates for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election. The certified list of write-in candidates is available online at:

https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/presidential-primary-election-march-3-2020/

When will the Secretary of State’s office have vote counts for the certified write-in candidates?

County elections officials count votes for write-in candidates during the post-election canvass period. Please note that ballots with write-in candidates take longer to count.

Results for write-in candidates are not transmitted to the Secretary of State’s office until counties do their final certification of the vote, therefore the Secretary of State’s election night website will not have results for write-in candidates.

Do voters have to write a certified write-in candidate’s name exactly? Does spelling count?

County Elections Officials will accept a reasonable facsimile of the spelling of a candidate’s name. Example: votes for “Joe Smith” and “Joseph Smith” would be accepted.

Where can voters find the list of certified write-in candidates?

The list of certified write-in candidates is posted on the Secretary of State’s website, and county elections officials will post the list in polling locations and Vote Centers.

Visit HowtoVoteforPresident.sos.ca.gov for more information on voting for U.S. President in the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election.

For more information on the March 3, 2020, Presidential Primary election, visit: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/presidential-primary-election-march-3-2020/

###