Does anyone know about the other names listed with Pres Candidates on ballot?

[sohndrsmith]

I filled out my ballot and sealed it, as did my house-mate. He then wondered openly why there were other names (in smaller print) listed with each presidential candidate (in smaller, non-bold print).

I can't find any information on this, and I'm just wondering if connecting the arrow for the candidate of my choice was enough. I don't want to unseal the envelope, but I don't want to mess this up.

Anyone know what the other names signify? There were 3 or 4 names listed with each party, other than the main candidates (which were in larger, bold face text). The instructions that came with the ballot show only single names in the sample illustrations.

I wish I'd taken a picture of the thing or something. If anyone has an early ballot that they haven't sealed yet, I'd love to know if you were confused by this too.

[sohndrsmith]

1. Okay, I found the answer. (I think).

These are "electors", for whom a vote cast for the presidential candidate is recorded as a vote cast for his/her electors. Obama, McKinney, Barr and McCain each have 10 electors, according to the AZ SOS.

Whether this is an accurate description or not, I can't say. I still don't know why there is no explanation as to their significance, considering they're on the ballot. Maybe I'm displaying my election ignorance, but I'm very skittish this go 'round.

[drmeow]

2. They were also on the ballot for the last

presidential election. Its that stupid electoral college thing - the people don't actually vote for the President, they vote for party appointed electors. It doesn't happen but theoretically, an elector could vote for a different candidate (so, for example, if they were stupid enough to chose Joe Lieberman as an elector in CT, even though the people would have cast their vote for the Democratic nominee, he would cast his electoral vote for the Republican.