Different states have different rules for write-in candidates, but they can be divided into three categories. Nine states—Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Dakota—won’t accept any write-ins at all. Most states are in the middle in that they accept write-in candidates, but require them to file paperwork ahead of time for their votes to be counted. However the following are the states that socialists can express their support for the World Socialist Party of the United States (WSPUS)
Iowa
Iowa is one of the seven states that do not require a write-in presidential candidate to file some paperwork in advance of an election. In Iowa, a write-in candidate is not required to file any special paperwork in order to have his or her votes tallied.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire state law does not require write-in presidential candidates to file any special paperwork in advance of the election.
New Jersey
New Jersey state law does not appear to require write-in candidates to file any special paperwork in advance of an election
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania do not require write-in candidates to file paperwork in advance of the election. Voters may write in the names of candidates on the Pennsylvania general ballot
Rhode Island
Rhode Island do not require write-in candidates to file paperwork in advance of the election. Rhode Island law does not require a write-in presidential candidate to file any special paperwork in advance of the election.
Virginia
Virginia do not require write-in candidates to file paperwork in advance of the election. A write-in presidential candidate is not required to file any special paperwork in advance of the election
Vermont
Vermont do not require write-in candidates to file paperwork in advance of the election. A write-in presidential candidate is not required to file any special paperwork in advance of the election.
A write-in candidate cannot become president because we the people do not actually elect the president. We elect ELECTORS, who comprise the ELECTORAL COLLEGE. They are chosen by political party leaders. That's how the Constitution designed presidential elections, because the Founding Fathers did not TRUST the judgement of the American citizens. So, the winner of the presidential election is NOT the person who gets the most votes, but the person who gets a majority of nominated ELECTORS.
We must make it clear that the World Socialist Party seeks the votes only of those who want socialism. Vote-catching ploys and making opportunist statements which are not compatible with our Declaration of Principles so as to make the socialist case seem more enticing to our fellow workers commits an injustice to our party, as well as to those who would under those circumstances misguidedly cast their vote for ourselves. If we promised a host of reform measures then these votes would not express support for socialism but for those false remedies and in the next ensuing election are quite as apt to be turned against us, if another party comes up with an even more palatable platform of palliatives. Votes acquired by seeking ameliorations of workers’ conditions under capitalism are not votes for socialism but are fictitious. In our election campaign we state our principles clearly, speak the truth, seeking not to flatter, but only to convince our fellow workers and win them over to our cause through an intelligent understanding of our case.
No possible good can come from any kind of a political alliance with any other supposed “workers” or “progressive” party. We most certainly seek the support of trade-unionists, environmental campaigners and community activists but only of those who desire socialism and are ready to vote and work with us for the overthrow of capitalism. We hold no brief for those candidates who engage in political demagoguery merely for the sake of votes and we hold in contempt those who seek election for the mere sake of holding office. Their campaign promises are filled with empty platitudes and meaningless phrases. The World Socialist Party buys no votes with false promises or wishful thinking.
The World Socialist Party is the only party which honestly represents the working class in this general election.
Members and supporters of the World Socialist Party cast a write-in vote by writing "WORLD SOCIALIST Party" across the ballot paper.
What's the alternative? To not vote at all? More and more people are doing this, and it's not as bad as voting for one or other of the parties that stand for keeping capitalism going. But it's a bit of a cop-out. The anarchists like it, because they don't believe in electoral political action. We don't agree with their view. Our predecessors were right to struggle for the vote. The fact that up to now it hasn't been used properly is no reason for rejecting it as ineffectual. We say in this election, the working class should write-in for ‘WORLD SOCIALIST PARTY’. You don’t have to vote for any wannabe leader. The more people who stand up for socialism, the more able we’ll be to link up, and work towards the change we need.
The World Socialist Party is like no other political party. First, because it doesn't want power for itself. In the new society we advocate, there will be no power structures anyway and our organization would cease to exist. Second, because we have no leaders or followers and think instead that collective decision-making - democracy - is the only suitable way to operate a free society. Do you know of any other organization that can say this? We doubt it.
So what's the catch? The catch is, we will not lead you and we can't do all the work for you. You have to be your own leader, otherwise democracy is meaningless. So if you're prepared to stand up for yourself, don't wait for other people to do it first - get in touch with us and help out.
We say work with us for the overthrow of this system and the building of a new one that will be in keeping with our shared interests. The WSPUS do not support any capitalist faction anywhere or at any time. We will not engage in any tactical voting ruse such as support for the lesser evil.
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