We had a lot of unhappy voters in 2016, with the Pew Research Center finding that only 33 percent were content with candidates.
In Clark County, there were enough unhappy voters in four races that election workers had to list every name written in for those four offices. It’s required when the total number of write-ins and undervotes (when voters leave the line blank) is equal to or greater than the margin of victory in the race.
Four local races met that threshold in November. The options for dissatisfied voters included failed political candidates, comedians, celebrities past their prime and an internet meme that won’t go away.
• In the race for the District 3 position on the county council, former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders drew four of the 157 write-ins. Former California Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger drew one vote, as did Jesus, Elton John, Elvis Presley and Harambe, a Cincinnati Zoo gorilla that was killed earlier this year but lives on as a tired internet meme. David Madore, who lost his re-election bid for the seat in the primary, received 47 votes.
• In the District 2 position for Clark County public utility commissioner, Schwarzenegger also received a write-in vote, as did President Barack Obama, comedian Bill Murray and former presidential candidate and cabinet pick Ben Carson. Sanders received 16 of the 1,076 write-ins. Bob Barker, “The Price is Right” host, as well as actor Chuck Norris, TV host Conan O’Brien, rapper Snoop Dogg and right-wing rock star Ted Nugent each received a vote. President-elect Donald Trump received 19 votes; Jesus Christ received eight and Harambe received two.
• In the 17th Legislative District race for state representative position No. 1, Jesus and Harambe each received a vote, along with actor Vin Diesel. Sanders received three of the 172 write-ins.
• The fourth race requiring a complete list of write-ins was for the 49th Legislative District’s No. 2 state representative spot. Sanders received five votes, Trump received 18 and Madore 16. Murray, Carson and Norris received votes, along with country star Garth Brooks, Oprah Winfrey and Cobra Commander, the ruthless villain from the “G.I. Joe” cartoon who some say has a surprisingly moderate position on land-use policy. Nugent received three of the 1,593 write-in votes.
Off Beat lets members of The Columbian news team step back from our newspaper beats to write the story behind the story, fill in the story or just tell a story.
