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Write-In Spellings

Robert Timothy Reagan, Margaret S. Williams, Marie Leary, Catherine R. Borden, Jessica L. Snowden, Patricia D. Breen, Jason A. Cantone
November 3, 2023

Miller v. Campbell (Ralph R. Beistline, D. Alaska 3:10-cv-252)
A candidate for U.S. senator sued to enjoin the counting of write-in ballots for the incumbent unless her name was spelled correctly. The federal judge determined that this was a matter for the state courts if they could act promptly. The state courts ruled in favor of counting misspellings, and the legislature later amended the election statutes to clarify that slight misspellings were permissible.
Subject: Voting irregularities. Topics: Write-in candidate; matters for state courts; enjoining certification; ballot segregation; recusal; presiding remotely.

One of many Case Studies in Emergency Election Litigation.