Write-in candidates face hurdle on paper ballots

Write-in and sticker candidates in this fall's elections are facing a unique hurdle in many smaller communities in Massachusetts.

Unlike the optical scan ballots used in most larger cities and towns, the paper ballets in 71 of the state's 351 cities and towns don't have a separate line where voters can write in a candidate's name or place a sticker for sticker campaigns.

Instead voters have to squeeze the name in the spaces between the listing of office-seekers on the ballot.

Critics say that's a disadvantage for write-in candidates who are running for county or statewide seats and who must compete in several communities.

One of the candidates affected is H. Peter Wood, the incumbent register of deeds for Franklin County. Wood is running a write-in campaign after deciding to switch parties from Republican to Democrat. He was too late to get on the Democratic primary ballot.

``We felt that it was not a fair situation," Wood said of the write-in ballots.

Wood said he contacted the secretary of state's office and was told that the office could post signs in voting booths explaining how voters could cast ballots for write-in candidates.

``At least this is going to be some help," he said. ``I'm just hopeful that over time these ballots will be changed to have appropriate spacing."

``There are two sets of rules, one for voter machine ballots and one for paper ballots, and they do not coincide," said Deb Bourbeau, assistant town clerk for Montague.