Definition of write in

The phrase "write-in" originated from the context of political elections. It refers to the process of voting for a candidate who is not listed on the official ballot. In such cases, voters are asked to manually "write in" the name of their preferred candidate on the ballot. In the United States, the use of write-ins in elections dates back to the 19th century. During this time, election officials would sometimes refuse to include certain candidates on the ballot due to doubts about their eligibility or political views. To combat this, some aspirants began promoting the idea of "writing in" their names on the ballot, using the blank spaces provided for write-ins. Over time, the concept gained popularity and became a recognized part of the voting process. Today, write-ins are still permitted in many elections, although their outcomes are relatively rare due to the inherent difficulties of a write-in campaign. Nonetheless, the term "write-in" has come to embody the spirit of grassroots democracy, as it represents the ability of citizens to have a say in the political process through unconventional means.