{"id":351516,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/what-is-a-protest-vote.html"},"modified":"2026-04-20T08:35:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:35:08","slug":"what-is-a-protest-vote","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/what-is-a-protest-vote.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Vote for None of the Above? Protest Votes, Write-In Votes, and Other Options"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Vote for None of the Above? Protest Votes, Write-In Votes, and Other Options<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A protest vote<\/span> such as \u201cnone of the above<\/span>,\u201d \u201cwrite-in\u201d candidates, casting a blank or spoiled ballot, or choosing a third-party option, is a way for a voter to express their dissatisfaction with political candidate choices. States have different laws for voters who do not support an official candidate.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Can I Vote for None of the Above<\/span>? Protest Votes<\/span>, Write-In Votes, and Other Options<\/h1>\n

Voters can be dissatisfied with the candidates on their ballot. Most states allow voters to cast their vote for a \u201cwrite-in\u201d candidate<\/a>. Some states, like New Jersey, allow you to write in any name you want. Other jurisdictions, like Arkansas, don\u2019t allow write-in votes at all.<\/p>\n

Write-in votes aren\u2019t the only type of protest votes<\/span><\/a>. Depending on where you live, you may have several voting options<\/span> in elections where you aren\u2019t happy about any of the candidates.<\/p>\n

This article explains whether you can vote for \u201cnone of the above<\/span>\u201d at the polls. We will also discuss different types of protest votes<\/span> and describe other options available to you.<\/p>\n

If you have questions about the voting laws in your state, contact a local civil rights attorney<\/a>. They can answer any questions you have and help ensure that your voting rights are protected.<\/p>\n

Options if You Don\u2019t Want To Vote for an Official Candidate<\/h2>\n

It can be frustrating to feel like you have to vote for a candidate printed on the official ballot if none of them appeal to you. It has to do with more than whether you register as a Democrat or a Republican<\/a>. It has to do with your right to cast a vote for the person you feel is most capable of performing the tasks required of the office.<\/p>\n

While there is one state that allows the \u201cNone of the Above<\/span>” vote<\/span>, residents of the other 49 states (plus the District of Columbia) have other ways of participating in the democratic process<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some of these other voting options<\/span> include:<\/p>\n