Write-ins Not Required In Runoffs
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The California Supreme Court says municipal runoff elections are not required to have write-in candidates.
But the unanimous court stopped short today of saying cities and counties could ban write-ins during non-runoff votes. Three justices in a concurring opinion said the majority left open that possibility.
The ruling overturns a state appeals court´s decision demanding write-ins during San Francisco runoffs. The justices´ decision also sets aside 17 years of high court precedent.
Runoffs usually occur when no candidate secures 50 percent of the vote. The justices said the prohibition of write-ins in runoffs does not violate free speech rights of voters and write-in candidates.
