February 27, 2024 - SACRAMENTO, CA – California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. has released the certified the list of write-in candidates for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election. 

The certified lists of write-in candidates are available online at:  

https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov//statewide-elections/2024-primary/write-in-president.pdf   

https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov//statewide-elections/2024-primary/write-in-voter-nominated.pdf    

When will the Secretary of State’s office have vote counts for the certified write-in candidates?  

County elections officials count votes for write-in candidates during the post-election canvass period. Please note that ballots with write-in candidates take longer to count.  

Results for write-in candidates are not transmitted to the Secretary of State’s office until counties do their final certification of the vote; therefore, the results for write-in candidates will not be included on the election night results website. The results for write-in presidential candidates and all other write-in candidates will be published on April 12, 2024, according to state law. 

Do voters have to write a certified write-in candidate’s name exactly? Does spelling count?  

County elections officials will accept a reasonable facsimile of the spelling of a candidate’s name. Example: votes for “Joe Smith” and “Joseph Smith” would be accepted for “Joseph A. Smith.” 

Where can voters find the list of certified write-in candidates?  

The list of certified write-in candidates is posted on the Secretary of State’s website, and county elections officials will post the list in polling locations and voter centers. 
Source: CA. SOS