CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis officially dropped out of the Republican race for president this week after a disappointing performance in the Iowa caucuses.
DeSantis bowed out just before the New Hampshire primary, paving the way for a two-horse race between former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump. This led some people wondering what happens if a candidate withdraws from a race, but their name is still on the ballot?
THE QUESTION
Candidates drop out of races all the time, but one viewer, William B, wanted to know what happens if a candidate withdraws before the primary and their name is still on the ballot. Can a vote still be cast for that person?
THE ANSWER
Yes, if a candidate drops out of a race and their name is still on the ballot, you can still cast a vote for that person. In the end, it's up to the party leaders to nominate a new candidate to represent the party in November's general election.
OUR SOURCES
WHAT WE FOUND
According to the State Board of Elections, any person who has "filed a notice of candidacy for an office has the right to withdraw it." Candidates must then complete a withdrawal form. They have three days before the close of candidate filing to submit the paperwork.
But what happens if a candidate's name is already printed on the primary ballot before they drop out? Essentially nothing, according to Dickerson.
"After that, your name is printed on the ballot and your name and votes for you will be counted," he said. "So yes, that person's name will still be on the ballot and I will tally votes for that person, as I would for anybody else on Election Day."
If that person ends up winning? Dickerson said there's an official process for that, too.
"It would go to the parties to nominate somebody individually, from their executive committees, to be on the November general election ballot," Dickerson said.
That's a rare instance. In fact, Dickerson said he's never seen it happen in Mecklenburg County.
But what if a candidate dies before election day? Dickerson said the process is generally the same.
“Especially since you've already printed ballots, there is a stipulation," Dickerson explained. "If somebody were to pass away before, then you could reopen filing, but since the ballots have already been printed, and our timeframe has been squeezed, yes their name would still be on the ballot."
For those voting absentee by mail, ballots started going out on Jan. 19. Voters have until 5 p.m. on Feb. 27 to request an absentee ballot. In-person early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 15.
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