Write-in Candidate Information

A person may file a declaration of intent to run as a write-in for office in any election including the general election (13-10-211(1), MCA). The deadline for filing a Declaration of Intent to run as a write-in candidate for the 2008 general election is 5:00 p.m. September 26, 2008. The filing fee must be paid when the declaration is submitted to the Secretary of State's office.

Use of pre-printed labels:

• Pre-printed labels are not prohibited by law.
  
• A candidate is advised to check with the local election administrator regarding use of pre-printed labels.
  
• To write in a name, voters need to blacken the oval to the left of the line provided, and write in the name (or affix a pre-printed label) in the blank space(s) for the write-in candidate(s) for whom they wish to vote.
  
• If a county uses vote tabulating equipment, the use of pre-printed labels may not be advisable based on the manufacturer’s caution, and experience of election administrators:
  
• Stickers can degrade the performance of the tabulators depending on:
  • type of label used
  • tabulators involved
  • the way the labels are applied
  • number of voters that use the labels
  According to Election Systems and Software, manufacturer of tabulating equipment used in most Montana counties, “despite the consequences involved, stickers have been used successfully in the past, and are not uncommon.” To minimize any potential problems or disruptions, ES&S has published guidelines for use of labels.