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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

A write-in candidate cannot earn write-in votes unless that candidate has either turned in 500 petition signatures to become eligible for votes or paid a $300 filing fee.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

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

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2024

Mr. Phillips won 20 percent of the vote in New Hampshire, which Mr. Biden won as a write-in candidate, and then placed third behind the self-help author Marianne Williamson in South Carolina.

From New York Times • Feb. 6, 2024

The rest of the pack, including one write-in candidate, trailed far behind, with no other candidate breaking the 10% mark.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2023