A vote cast on a written ballot for a person who was not nominated for the position is called a

• A. Provisional vote
• B. Ballot error
• C. Spoiled ballot
• D. Write-in vote

Answer: (D)

A vote cast for someone not on the ballot is a write-in vote. In a written ballot, if a voter wants to support a candidate who isn’t listed, they write that candidate’s name in the space provided. This distinguishes it from provisional votes (used when eligibility is in doubt and counted later), ballot errors (mistakes on the ballot itself), or spoiled ballots (ballots that are rendered invalid). Write-in votes are counted only if the organization allows them and the candidate is eligible, which is why this is the correct term for a vote cast for someone not nominated.