write-in candidate
noun/ˈraɪt ɪn kændɪdət/, /ˈraɪt ɪn kændɪdeɪt/
/ˈraɪt ɪn kændɪdət/, /ˈraɪt ɪn kændɪdeɪt/
(US English)- a candidate in an election for public office whose name is not printed on the official list of candidates, usually because they have not been selected by a political party. People voting for such a candidate must therefore write the candidate's name on the voting paper. Some use this write-in vote, or write-in, as a form of protest by writing silly names on the voting paper.
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write-in candidate