“Send a message to the GOP and Trump by writing in Ronald Reagan for president.”
That’s the crux of the Union-Tribune’s June 2nd editorial.
It’s also foolish and irresponsible advice, especially from a newspaper.
Under California law, write-in votes aren’t counted unless they’re cast for certain qualified write-in candidates. To become a qualified write-in candidate, you have to fill out forms and submit them to the Secretary of State by the May 17th deadline, which “Ronald Reagan” hasn’t done. Any votes cast for him won’t appear in the official results. If you vote for Reagan, no one else will ever know about it. You might as well scribble a happy face on the ballot. It’s sending the same message – that is, no message at all.
Voting for an unqualified write-in candidate doesn’t send a message. It spoils your vote.
To send a message to Trump, send him one he’ll be able to read: Vote for John Kasich or another candidate whose name will actually appear on the ballot. If you insist on writing in someone, pick one of the real write-in candidates. Lists of qualified write-in candidates are available here and here.