In New Jersey:

The only time write in and absentee ballots are counted is when the number of votes received on the machines is so close, that the absentee and write in ballots could actually make a difference.

In other words, if 20,000 people vote, 100 write in, and 100 vote absentee, unless the difference between 2 candidates is less than 200, they won't count them.

Eventually, most Board of Elections will count them, months later, but the day of the election, not likely.

If you write in a third candidate, they won't count them unless there is a HUGE SURGE of write in ballots, which is almost never.

Eventually too, they are reported, months later, after the fact.

Makes sense, 20,000 people vote, 1,000 write in a candidate. After polls close, you have 19,000 on the machine and 1,000 write in. Its clearly evident the write in candidate didn't win.

J...