Senate write-ins: God, Bugs Bunny, Chuck Norris

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — God, Bugs Bunny and Chuck Norris were among the write-in votes that played a role in electing a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in Alabama for the first time in a quarter-century.

More than 22,000 writein ballots were cast on Dec. 12, according to the Alabama secretary of state’s office — a greater number than the 20,715-vote margin by which Democrat Doug Jones beat Republican Roy Moore.

Incumbent Luther Strange, who lost to Moore in the Republican primary, led the write-in race with more than 5,800 votes, Al.com reported. He was followed by former White House aide Lee Busby; U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, who also ran in the GOP Senate primary; Libertarian write-in candidate Ron Bishop; Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who left the Senate when President Donald Trump appointed him; and Alabama football coach Nick Saban.

The newspaper reported that “Any other Republican” also appeared among the write-ins, along with “Anybody,” “A better choice” and “Any other.” Jesus Christ had votes in double digits.

Some write-in votes went to dead men, including two Confederate generals and a segregationist Alabama governor: Robert E. Lee, “Ghost of Stonewall Jackson” and George Wallace.

The newspaper said writeins were counted from about 30 of 67 counties.

Other cartoon characters getting write-in votes included Mickey Mouse, Snow White, SpongeBob Square Pants and Snoopy. A Madison County voter went for a muppet: Kermit the Frog.

Phil Robertson, patriarch of the reality TV show “Duck Dynasty,” got write-in votes in at least 10 counties, with multiple votes in some.