Can Bernie Sanders be a write-in candidate if he does not win the primaries?

Question

Every source I can find says most states require an individual to register to be a write-in candidate for their votes to be tallied. So, has Bernie registered, or does the fact that he ran in the primaries make him automatically registered?

Please give credible sources so we can know for sure.

Here is one source that explains write-ins need to be registered Link

An individual can run as a write-in candidate. In 35 states, a write-in candidate must file some paperwork in advance of the election. In seven states, write-in voting for presidential candidates is not permitted. The remaining states do not require write-in candidates to file paperwork in advance of the election.

Answer 1

Bernie Sanders cannot be a write in candidate after the primaries are concluded. The filing deadlines to run as an independent candidate for many states has already passed. Likewise, sore loser laws prevent losing primary candidates from running as independents after the primary has concluded - this is the same reason why Charlie Christ dropped out before the Republican primary vote for FL-Gov back in 2010 to run as an independent.

Answer 2

I believe that in the states requiring registration, Bernie would need to do so at least 1 month before the election. However, the deadlines to run as an Independent have or are about to pass. (July 31, first week of August).

Note that running as Independent and as a write-in candidate are not the same thing.

So, to answer more clearly, he probably does not have time to run as Independent, but he does have time to become a write-in. I also do NOT believe that running in the primary already qualifies or registers him as a write-in but that would be awesome if it did. I will research that...

Answer 3

I served as national field director for the Bernie Write-In campaign in 2016 and he received (an all-time record) 575,000+ votes, good enough for sixth place in the general election.

There is no reason he cannot receive Write-In votes in 2020, operating under something called the 'without his consent/against his will' Theory. This will, in fact, work just fine in twelve states that guarantee to count every last single Bernie vote: Alabama; New Hampshire; Vermont; Rhode Island; Oregon; Wyoming; Washington state; Wisconsin; New Jersey; Iowa; Pennsylvania; and the District of Columbia (not a state, but they still vote).