With all the hubbub of the Nov. 6 election focused on major party candidates, it might be easy to forget you have other options when it comes time to cast your ballot.
More than a dozen other candidates have actually qualified to be considered this fall beyond those you see on the touch screen of your voting machine. For governor alone, Georgia has 4 write-in candidates.
How do voters ‘write-in’ a candidate?
In Georgia, it’s not as simple as writing down Daffy Duck. Because it won’t count.
All qualified write-in candidates in Georgia have met a Sept. 4 deadline that required them to publish a classified ad notifying the public of their intent to run for public office, and then a Sept. 10 deadline to file paperwork and an affidavit with the state.
You can look up these candidates under the Elections tab on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website (www.sos.ga.gov). Once you are on the Elections page, just look for “candidate info” near the top header and then select “qualified candidate information” in the drop-down menu.
A full list of qualified write-in candidates is also available at every polling place on request.
How many governor’s candidates are on the Georgia ballot?
There are three, not including the four write-ins. The Democratic candidate is Stacey Abrams, the Republican candidate is Brian Kemp and the Libertarian candidate is Ted Metz. The four write-ins are David C. Byrne, Rod Mack, Bobby Waldrep and Bobby Williams.
Follow AJC’s coverage of the elections.
RELATED
What is on the ballot in metro Atlanta Nov. 6?
Georgia governor’s race news and updates
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.