Write-ins Not Required In Runoffs

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.