Presidential write-in process has a twist in Virginia

CHRISTIANSBURG (WSLS 10) - If you are planning to get creative with your presidential vote, there are a few things you may want to consider first.

According to Google, searches for write-in candidates have surged since August. But in Virginia, write-in votes for president do not count unless the candidate is certified through the Virginia Board of Elections.

Although voters can write in whoever they want, the vote will be thrown out if that person has not gone through the official process to become a write-in candidate.

A number of states have similar requirements.

Virginia is expected to release its list of certified write-in candidates next week.

The five candidates on Virginia's ballot for president are Democrat Hillary Clinton, Republican Donald Trump, Libertarian Gary Johnson, Green party member Jill Stein and independent Evan McMullin.