Democrat Doug Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore in Alabama’s special election for the U.S. Senate on Dec. 12 in the wake of allegations that Moore molested a 14-year-old girl. Multiple other women accused Moore of misconduct as well.
Some voters felt unable to support either candidate, including Republicans who viewed the numerous allegations against Moore as credible or his positions on some issues as extreme. Jones' victory was formally certified Thursday. Moore has thus far refused to concede.
The New York Times noted that Jones won the race by fewer than 22,000 votes, while more than 22,800 Alabamians cast write-in ballots.
The Alabama secretary of state’s office released on Thursday the names of all those whose names voters chose to write in.
President Donald Trump and former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, all received write-in votes.
Other politicians who received votes included:
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro received write-in votes in the race as well. On Twitter, Shapiro poked fun at Moore’s refusal to concede the race, writing, “On the basis of those votes, I refuse to accept my loss and challenge the election results.”
Some voters weren’t specific, casting write-in votes for:
The secretary of state’s office also declined to list some write-in votes “due to graphic language.”
(H/T New York Times)
