Write-ins are all added up together. If they get 1% and the 2 major parties get 51% and 48%, nobody gives a shit about the write-ins.
But if the write-ins get 51%, now they have to actually go and read each one and figure out whom the vote is for.
The most recent successful write-in campaign that I can remember is Murkowski in Alaska. Lost the GOP nomination to the tea party candidate, and then won as a write-in. There was a lot of legal posturing on whether you can count misspellings or incomplete name, etc.
Write-ins are all added up together. If they get 1% and the 2 major parties get 51% and 48%, nobody gives a shit about the write-ins.
But if the write-ins get 51%, now they have to actually go and read each one and figure out whom the vote is for.
The most recent successful write-in campaign that I can remember is Murkowski in Alaska. Lost the GOP nomination to the tea party candidate, and then won as a write-in. There was a lot of legal posturing on whether you can count misspellings or incomplete name, etc.