Can i leave ballots blank

If the number of candidates for an office is equal to the number of individuals to be elected to that office, and the voter has not marked any name, no vote shall be counted for any candidate for that office. If no name or response to a question is marked and no name is written in, the ballot is blank with respect to that office or question.

A ballot that is blank with respect to one or more offices or questions is not defective. Menu House Minnesota House of Representatives. Minnesota Senate. Joint Departments, Offices, and Commissions. Schedules, Calendars, and Legislative Business. Legislative Committees. Statutes, Laws, and Rules. Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Revisor Menu. Authenticate PDF. Ballot valid if intent determinable. Click here to follow election results!

The act of leaving one option blank on a ballot while filling out other options is commonly referred to as undervoting. For example, a voter that is permitted to cast one vote for a presidential candidate and does not select a candidate, or a voter who has only cast two votes in a contest allowing three, has undervoted. Voters have the right to undervote if they choose to do so.

A ballot will not be canceled or disqualified as the result of an undervote. An undervote can be intentional e. Undervoting does not directly affect candidate elections with a majority requirement to win.

Undervoting can affect ballot measure results, however. In seven states, constitutional amendments must be approved by a certain percentage of all voters casting a ballot in the election, making the effect of a blank vote different. In states requiring majority approval from all ballots cast in the election, leaving the question blank is the same as voting against the measure. Click here to read about how undervoting affects ballot measure campaigns in those seven states.

And many voters are befuddled as to why Newsom has been telling people to ignore the second question all together. Recalls here are a two-step process: Voters decide whether to remove a candidate from office and also who should be the replacement. There are some states where the lieutenant governor automatically takes over for a recalled governor, but most states have voters select the replacement.

And the incumbent, in this case Newsom, is barred from running in the replacement election. Or, Option B: Ignore the second question and focus on the first. One answer. No on the recall. Move on. If you have an idea for a piece, pitch us at thebigidea vox. Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment: to empower through understanding.

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By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. More than 30 percent of voters fail to complete their ballots. Don't be one of them. Share this story Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share All sharing options Share All sharing options for: More than 30 percent of voters fail to complete their ballots.

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