Indiana § 3-12-1-1.7 Write-in votes

Indiana Statutes

§ 3-12-1-1.7 — Write-in votes

Indiana § 3-12-1-1.7

Art. 12ASCERTAINING RESULTS OF ELECTIONS

Ch. 1Rules for Counting Ballots

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Bluebook

Ind. Code § 3-12-1-1.7 (2026).

Text

7.

(a)The following provisions govern the counting of write-in votes:

(1)Except as provided in subsection (b), only votes cast for declared write-in candidates shall be counted and certified.

(2)The name of a candidate, written on the space reserved for write-in voting, is not considered a distinguishing mark that would invalidate a ballot under section 3 of this chapter. However, the name or office of a candidate written in a place on the ballot other than the place reserved for write-in voting may not be counted for that office.

(3)A write-in vote for an office is void if the voter attempts to cast the vote by a means other than printing the name of the candidate in ink or lead pencil. The use of stickers, labels, rubber stamps, or other similar device is not permitted.

(4)An abbrev

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7. (a) The following provisions govern the
counting of write-in votes:
(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), only votes cast for
declared write-in candidates shall be counted and certified.
(2) The name of a candidate, written on the space reserved for
write-in voting, is not considered a distinguishing mark that
would invalidate a ballot under section 3 of this chapter.
However, the name or office of a candidate written in a place on
the ballot other than the place reserved for write-in voting may
not be counted for that office.
(3) A write-in vote for an office is void if the voter attempts to
cast the vote by a means other than printing the name of the
candidate in ink or lead pencil. The use of stickers, labels, rubber
stamps, or other similar device is not permitted.
(4) An abbreviation, a misspelling, or other minor variation in the
form of the name of a candidate or an office shall be disregarded
in determining the validity of the ballot if the intention of the
voter can be ascertained.
(5) Write-in votes for each write-in candidate shall be counted
separately using the tally sheets provided by the county election
board.
(6) This subdivision applies to a voter who casts a ballot for:
(A) an individual who is a candidate for President of the United
States;
(B) an individual who is a candidate for Vice President of the
United States; or
(C) both individuals who are candidates for President of the
United States and Vice President of the United States.
A ballot cast as described in this subdivision is considered to be
cast for the presidential electors and alternate presidential electors
pledged to support the ticket of candidates for President and Vice
President printed on the regular official ballot.
(7) This subdivision applies to a voter who casts a ballot for:
(A) an individual who is a candidate for governor;
(B) an individual who is a candidate for lieutenant governor; or
(C) both individuals who are candidates for governor and
lieutenant governor.
A ballot cast as described in this subdivision is considered to be
cast for both individuals who are candidates for governor and
lieutenant governor of Indiana who are printed on the regular
official ballot.
(b) This subsection does not apply to an office for which more than
one (1) individual may be nominated or elected within the same
election district. A write-in vote cast for an individual whose name
appears on the ballot as a candidate for that office shall be counted as
a vote for the candidate.