Write-in votes a mix of independents, celebrities, cartoon characters

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DARKE COUNTY — The Darke County Board of Elections has certified the final tally of votes two weeks following the November 8 election.

While the vote totals for notable candidates — such as Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton — ended up largely as reported following the election, voters in the county sometimes chose to deviate from the names listed on the ballots, particularly in the presidential race.

Independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin was a popular write-in choice among Darke County voters, as was Ohio Governor John Kasich. U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders, Marco Rubio, John McCain, and Ted Cruz also received write-in votes.

Marine Corps General James Mattis (ret.), reportedly being considered as President-Elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, also received a write-in vote for president.

Voters taking advantage of the write-in option, however, sometimes skipped the politicians and cast ballots for more “culturally diverse” candidates, for lack of a better term.

One Darke County voter wrote in actor George Clooney for president. Comedian Jon Stewart and actor Morgan Freeman each received a write-in vote for U.S. Senator.

One voter saw Cincinnati Bengals kicker Mike Nugent as being of presidential timber. Others preferred Jesus or God.

Fictional candidates receiving write-in votes for president from Darke Countians included Pokemon’s Pikachu, and Walt Disney characters Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

Other “less-defined” write-in candidates proposed by voters for the Oval Office included “No Confidence,” “Deez Nutz” and “Your Mom.”

Someone really liked U.S. Senator Rob Portman in his reelection bid, who, despite already being listed on the ballot, also received a write-in vote for the senate seat.

Luke Burton, elections administrator with the Darke County Board of Elections said the 2016 general election is not necessarily unusual in this regard.

“When there is a write-in line for a race we always expect to get a few funny votes,” he said. “Of course any name voted on in which they were not a certified write-in candidate does not count.”

“From the paper ballots a couple of the more amusing write-ins were a vote for (actress and comedian) Betty White president and (actor and comedian) Kevin Hart as vice president,” he added.

Though he himself didn’t declare his candidacy for the highest office in the land, Burton was the beneficiary of a vote of confidence from some unknown person in Darke County, who wrote in Burton’s name for president.

“Maybe a secret admirer. I thought that was pretty funny,” he said. “It wasn’t me!”

Write-in choices proposed by Darke County voters November 8 covered a wide range of unlisted candidates, including Jesus (shown), actor George Clooney, Bengals kicker Mike Nugent, “Deez Nutz,” and Donald Duck. Votes for write-in candidates not certified by the state do not count, however.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2016/11/web1_Jesus-PRINT-1.jpgWrite-in choices proposed by Darke County voters November 8 covered a wide range of unlisted candidates, including Jesus (shown), actor George Clooney, Bengals kicker Mike Nugent, “Deez Nutz,” and Donald Duck. Votes for write-in candidates not certified by the state do not count, however. Advocate graphic

By Erik Martin

[email protected]

The writer may be reached at 937-569-4314. Join the conversation and get updates on Facebook search Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com

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