Write-in candidates historically underdogs in elections

Campaign ads, billboards, and those automated robo-calls are all little reminders that election season is soon.

There’s a set of candidates who’ve always been the under-dogs in almost every race: the write-in candidates.

“Oh I know right up front it’s an uphill battle,” said Bingham County cattle rancher Matt Thompson.

Thompson came in second place after May’s primary election for his county’s District 1 County Commissioner seat. Thompson isn’t giving up. In November, he’ll rely on Bingham County voters to write his name on the ballot.

“It can be done if a guy’s organized and has some people helping him get the word out,” said Thompson.

At Bingham County’s Election Office, director Marlene Jensen said historically, write-ins are the ultimate underdogs.

“Bingham County had a huge write-in campaign about 4 years ago,” she said. “It was probably the best write-in campaign I have ever seen, but even that was not successful.”

Fremont County’s election office offers this perspective.

In the 2006 general election for county assessor, ballot candidate Kathy Thompson crushed write-in Ivel Burrel 3257 votes to 716.

An example of the odds for Thompson in Bingham County, and write-in sheriff candidate Travis Williams in Madison County.

“When they go to the poll and your name’s on the ballot, it reminds them to vote for you, but when your name’s not on the ballot it’s harder for them to remember they wanted to do that,” said Jensen.

For Thompson, it’s worth it, if only to put himself out there.

“It sure gives you name recognition for the next time around if nothing else,” he said.

Another hurdle facing write-in candidates is new optical scan ballots. Voters must write-in a candidate’s name and fill-in an oval.

The deadline for write-in candidates to enter general election races is Oct. 9.