write-in candidate

Cultural  

1. A candidate for public office whose name does not appear on the ballot (usually because he or she has not secured the nomination of a political party) but whose name must be written on the ballot by voters.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

write-in candidate

East San Fernando Valley incumbent Kelly Gonez faces one challenger, Jose Sagredo, who, as a write-in candidate, will not even have his name on the ballot.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

She decided to run anyway, as a write-in candidate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

Later that year, the then-32-year-old Devine challenged O’Neill as a write-in candidate.

From Salon ● Feb. 27, 2024

He also won as a write-in candidate in New Hampshire, after he refused to campaign or appear on the ballot.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 24, 2024

He won New Hampshire as a write-in candidate last month, and then earned 96 percent of the vote in South Carolina.

From New York Times ● Feb. 5, 2024