• Touch the box to the left of the word “WRITE-IN” in the contest you wish to cast a write-in vote.
• Using the electronic keyboard, enter the candidate’s name, last name first. Then press
  RECORD WRITE-IN to cast your vote. Your vote will not be counted unless the record button is
  pushed.
• Any abbreviation, misspelling, or minor variation in the form of the name of a candidate shall be
  disregarded in determining the validity of the write-in vote as long as the intended candidate can
  be determined. Writing the last name only will constitute a valid vote, unless there is more than
  one candidate with the same last name.
• Writing in the name of the candidate for Governor or the name of the Lieutenant Governor is
  sufficient to the cast of a vote for the joint office.
• Candidates may give out cards containing a diagram and instructions, including how to spell the
  candidate’s name.

• A voter must select “WRITE-IN” by following the audio ballot’s recorded instructions for using the
  keypad to make selections.
• The voter will hear instruction for entering a write-in candidate’s name using the keypad. Letters
  are assigned to the numeric keys similar to a telephone.
• The voter will use the keypad to enter, change and confirm each letter as he or she enters a
  write-in candidate’s name.
• After entering a write-in candidate’s name, the voter needs to follow the audio ballot’s
  instructions to continue voting the rest of the ballot.
• The voter can follow the audio ballot’s recorded instructions for changing a vote, including a
  write-in vote, before casting his or her ballot if he or she chooses.

• A voter must write the name of the write-in candidate on the designated write-in line under the
  contest title.
• The voter must completely fill in the oval to the left of the write-in candidate’s name.
• In the case of an absentee ballot, the voter will need to contact their local board of elections for a
  new ballot if he or she changes his or her mind after writing a write-in candidate’s name before
  casting the ballot.
• In the case of a provisional ballot, the voter will need to see the Provisional Ballot Judge for a
  new ballot if he or she changes his or her mind after writing a write-in candidate’s name before
  casting the ballot.

Reference:  Maryland State Board of Elections
Division of Candidacy and Campaign Finance
P.O. Box 6486 􀁺 151 West Street, Suite 200 􀁺 Annapolis, MD 21401-0486
410-269-2880 􀁺 800-222-8683 􀁺 MD Relay 800-735-2258
www.elections.state.md.us