diff --git a/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/contest_data.py b/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/contest_data.py
index e964d27..091a44f 100644
--- a/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/contest_data.py
+++ b/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/contest_data.py
@@ -14,11 +14,11 @@ class BallotMeasureData:
     choices: list = field(default_factory=list, init=False, repr=True)
 
     def __post_init__(self):
-        self.id = "no_id_provided"
-        self.title = self._b_measure_con["title"]
-        self.district = self._b_measure_con["district"]
-        self.text = self._b_measure_con["text"]
-        self.choices = self._b_measure_con["choices"]
+        self.id = self._b_measure_con.get("id", "")
+        self.title = self._b_measure_con.get("title", "")
+        self.district = self._b_measure_con.get("district", "")
+        self.text = self._b_measure_con.get("text", "")
+        self.choices = self._b_measure_con.get("choices", [])
         # for choice_data in _choices:
         #     self.choices.append(ChoiceData(choice_data))
 
@@ -45,12 +45,13 @@ class CandidateContestData:
     district: str = field(init=False)
     candidates: list = field(default_factory=list, init=False, repr=True)
 
+    # use dict.get() to assign defaults if key is missing
     def __post_init__(self):
-        self.id = self._can_con["id"]
-        self.title = self._can_con["title"]
-        self.votes_allowed = self._can_con["votes_allowed"]
-        self.district = self._can_con["district"]
-        _candidates = self._can_con["candidates"]
+        self.id = self._can_con.get("id", "")
+        self.title = self._can_con.get("title", "")
+        self.votes_allowed = self._can_con.get("votes_allowed", 0)
+        self.district = self._can_con.get("district", "")
+        _candidates = self._can_con.get("candidates", [])
         for candidate_data in _candidates:
             self.candidates.append(CandidateData(candidate_data))
 
@@ -58,16 +59,28 @@ def __post_init__(self):
 @dataclass
 class CandidateData:
     _can_data: dict = field(repr=False)
-    id: str = "no_id_provided"
-    name: str = field(init=False)
+    id: str = field(init=False)
+    _names: list = field(init=False, repr=False, default_factory=list)
     party: str = field(init=False)
     party_abbr: str = field(init=False)
+    write_in: bool = field(init=False)
+    name: str = field(init=True, default="")
 
     def __post_init__(self):
-        self.name = self._can_data["name"]
-        party_dict = self._can_data["party"]
-        self.party = party_dict["name"]
-        self.party_abbr = party_dict["abbreviation"]
+        self.id = self._can_data.get("id", "")
+        self._names = self._can_data.get("name", [])
+        _party_dict = self._can_data.get("party", {})
+        self.party = _party_dict.get("name", "")
+        self.party_abbr = _party_dict.get("abbreviation", "")
+        self.write_in = self._can_data.get("write_in")
+        if self.write_in:
+            self.name = "or write in:"
+        else:
+            for count, can_name in enumerate(self._names):
+                # append " and " only if more than one name
+                if count > 0:
+                    self.name += " and "
+                self.name += can_name
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
diff --git a/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/contest_layout.py b/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/contest_layout.py
index 5d6dabf..0df73b8 100644
--- a/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/contest_layout.py
+++ b/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/contest_layout.py
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@
     black,
     font_bold,
     normal_lead,
-    # sp_before=12,
     sp_after=48,
     keep_w_next=1,
 )
@@ -54,7 +53,6 @@
     font_bold,
     normal_lead,
     sp_before=12,
-    # sp_after=32,
     keep_w_next=1,
 )
 PageLayout.define_custom_style(
@@ -65,7 +63,6 @@
     black,
     font_normal,
     normal_lead,
-    # sp_before=12,
 )
 
 
@@ -149,7 +146,8 @@ def __init__(self, width=400, height=200, *args, **kw):
         self.width = oval_width + PageLayout.border_pad
         self.height = oval_height + PageLayout.border_pad
         oval_cx = self.width / 2
-        oval_cy = self.height / 2
+        down_shift = 2
+        oval_cy = (self.height / 2) - down_shift
         self._add(
             self,
             Ellipse(oval_cx, oval_cy, oval_width, oval_height),
@@ -157,9 +155,7 @@ def __init__(self, width=400, height=200, *args, **kw):
             validate=None,
             desc=None,
         )
-        # self.oval.fillColor = PageLayout.white
         self.oval.fillColor = white
-        # self.oval.strokeColor = PageLayout.black
         self.oval.strokeColor = black
         self.oval.strokeWidth = sm_line
 
@@ -183,8 +179,13 @@ def __init__(self, contest_data: CandidateContestData):
         oval = SelectionOval()
         for candidate in self.candidates:
             # add newlines around " and "
-            # if candidate.find(" and "):
-            #     candidate = candidate.replace(" and ", "<br />and<br />")
+            if candidate.name.find(" and "):
+                candidate.name = candidate.name.replace(
+                    " and ", "<br />and<br />"
+                )
+            # add line for write ins
+            if candidate.write_in:
+                candidate.name += ("<br />" * 2) + ("_" * 20)
             contest_line = f"<b>{candidate.name}</b>"
             if candidate.party_abbr != "":
                 contest_line += f"<br />{candidate.party_abbr}"
diff --git a/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/demo_ballot.py b/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/demo_ballot.py
index 33711ec..62370fa 100644
--- a/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/demo_ballot.py
+++ b/src/electos/ballotmaker/ballots/demo_ballot.py
@@ -165,9 +165,9 @@ def build_ballot() -> str:
     elements.append(NextPageTemplate("3col"))
     elements.append(layout_1.contest_table)
     elements.append(layout_2.contest_table)
-    elements.append(layout_3.contest_table)
     elements.append(CondPageBreak(c_height * inch))
     elements.append(layout_4.contest_table)
+    elements.append(layout_3.contest_table)
     elements.append(NextPageTemplate("1col"))
     elements.append(PageBreak())
     elements.append(layout_5.contest_table)
diff --git a/src/electos/ballotmaker/demo_data/spacetown_data.json b/src/electos/ballotmaker/demo_data/spacetown_data.json
index 5d3f652..e781b8b 100644
--- a/src/electos/ballotmaker/demo_data/spacetown_data.json
+++ b/src/electos/ballotmaker/demo_data/spacetown_data.json
@@ -11,22 +11,31 @@
                 "district": "Orbit City",
                 "candidates": [
                     {
-                        "name": "Cosmo Spacely",
+                        "id": "recTKcXLCzRvKB9U0",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Cosmo Spacely"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "The Lepton Party",
                             "abbreviation": "LEP"
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
                     },
                     {
-                        "name": "Spencer Cogswell",
+                        "id": "recKD6dBvkNhEU4bg",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Spencer Cogswell"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "The Hadron Party of Farallon",
                             "abbreviation": "HAD"
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
+                    },
+                    {
+                        "id": "recqq21kO6HWgpJZV",
+                        "write_in": true
                     }
-                ],
-                "write_ins": [
-                    "recqq21kO6HWgpJZV"
                 ]
             },
             {
@@ -38,30 +47,46 @@
                 "district": "Aldrin Space Transport District",
                 "candidates": [
                     {
-                        "name": "Jane Jetson",
+                        "id": "recvYvTb9hWH7tptb",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Jane Jetson"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "",
                             "abbreviation": ""
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
                     },
                     {
-                        "name": "Harlan Ellis",
+                        "id": "recBnJZEgCKAnfpNo",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Harlan Ellis"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "",
                             "abbreviation": ""
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
                     },
                     {
-                        "name": "Rudy Indexer",
+                        "id": "recwNuOnepWNGz67V",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Rudy Indexer"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "",
                             "abbreviation": ""
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
+                    },
+                    {
+                        "id": "rec9Eev970VhohqKi",
+                        "write_in": true
+                    },
+                    {
+                        "id": "recFiGYjGCIyk5LBe",
+                        "write_in": true
                     }
-                ],
-                "write_ins": [
-                    "rec9Eev970VhohqKi",
-                    "recFiGYjGCIyk5LBe"
                 ]
             },
             {
@@ -73,45 +98,72 @@
                 "district": "Gadget County",
                 "candidates": [
                     {
-                        "name": "Sally Smith",
+                        "id": "recbxvhKikHJNZYbq",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Sally Smith"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "",
                             "abbreviation": ""
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
                     },
                     {
-                        "name": "Hector Gomez",
+                        "id": "recigPkqYXXDJEaCE",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Hector Gomez"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "",
                             "abbreviation": ""
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
                     },
                     {
-                        "name": "Rosashawn Davis",
+                        "id": "recJvikmG5MrUKzo1",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Rosashawn Davis"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "",
                             "abbreviation": ""
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
                     },
                     {
-                        "name": "Oliver Tsi",
+                        "id": "recvjB3rgfiicf0RP",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Oliver Tsi"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "",
                             "abbreviation": ""
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
                     },
                     {
-                        "name": "Glavin Orotund",
+                        "id": "recbN7UUMaSuOYGQ6",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Glavin Orotund"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "",
                             "abbreviation": ""
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
+                    },
+                    {
+                        "id": "recYurH2CLY3SlYS8",
+                        "write_in": true
+                    },
+                    {
+                        "id": "recI5jfcXIsbAKytC",
+                        "write_in": true
+                    },
+                    {
+                        "id": "recn9m0o1em7gLahj",
+                        "write_in": true
                     }
-                ],
-                "write_ins": [
-                    "recYurH2CLY3SlYS8",
-                    "recI5jfcXIsbAKytC",
-                    "recn9m0o1em7gLahj"
                 ]
             },
             {
@@ -123,36 +175,33 @@
                 "district": "United States of America",
                 "candidates": [
                     {
-                        "name": "Anthony Alpha",
-                        "party": {
-                            "name": "The Lepton Party",
-                            "abbreviation": "LEP"
-                        }
+                        "id": "recPod2L8VhwagiDl",
+                        "write_in": true
                     },
                     {
-                        "name": "Betty Beta",
+                        "id": "recQK3J9IJq42hz2n",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Anthony Alpha",
+                            "Betty Beta"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "The Lepton Party",
                             "abbreviation": "LEP"
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
                     },
                     {
-                        "name": "Gloria Gamma",
+                        "id": "reccUkUdEznfODgeL",
+                        "name": [
+                            "Gloria Gamma",
+                            "David Delta"
+                        ],
                         "party": {
                             "name": "The Hadron Party of Farallon",
                             "abbreviation": "HAD"
-                        }
-                    },
-                    {
-                        "name": "David Delta",
-                        "party": {
-                            "name": "The Hadron Party of Farallon",
-                            "abbreviation": "HAD"
-                        }
+                        },
+                        "write_in": false
                     }
-                ],
-                "write_ins": [
-                    "recPod2L8VhwagiDl"
                 ]
             }
         ],
@@ -179,4 +228,4 @@
             }
         ]
     }
-}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/electos/ballotmaker/demo_data/spacetown_data.py b/src/electos/ballotmaker/demo_data/spacetown_data.py
index 75b2dd4..66a4b7e 100644
--- a/src/electos/ballotmaker/demo_data/spacetown_data.py
+++ b/src/electos/ballotmaker/demo_data/spacetown_data.py
@@ -7,18 +7,22 @@
     "district": "Orbit City",
     "candidates": [
         {
-            "name": "Cosmo Spacely",
+            "id": "recTKcXLCzRvKB9U0",
+            "name": ["Cosmo Spacely"],
             "party": {"name": "The Lepton Party", "abbreviation": "LEP"},
+            "write_in": False,
         },
         {
-            "name": "Spencer Cogswell",
+            "id": "recKD6dBvkNhEU4bg",
+            "name": ["Spencer Cogswell"],
             "party": {
                 "name": "The Hadron Party of Farallon",
                 "abbreviation": "HAD",
             },
+            "write_in": False,
         },
+        {"id": "recqq21kO6HWgpJZV", "write_in": True},
     ],
-    "write_ins": ["recqq21kO6HWgpJZV"],
 }
 
 can_con_3 = {
@@ -29,11 +33,27 @@
     "votes_allowed": 2,
     "district": "Aldrin Space Transport District",
     "candidates": [
-        {"name": "Jane Jetson", "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""}},
-        {"name": "Harlan Ellis", "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""}},
-        {"name": "Rudy Indexer", "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""}},
+        {
+            "id": "recvYvTb9hWH7tptb",
+            "name": ["Jane Jetson"],
+            "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""},
+            "write_in": False,
+        },
+        {
+            "id": "recBnJZEgCKAnfpNo",
+            "name": ["Harlan Ellis"],
+            "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""},
+            "write_in": False,
+        },
+        {
+            "id": "recwNuOnepWNGz67V",
+            "name": ["Rudy Indexer"],
+            "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""},
+            "write_in": False,
+        },
+        {"id": "rec9Eev970VhohqKi", "write_in": True},
+        {"id": "recFiGYjGCIyk5LBe", "write_in": True},
     ],
-    "write_ins": ["rec9Eev970VhohqKi", "recFiGYjGCIyk5LBe"],
 }
 
 can_con_2 = {
@@ -44,16 +64,39 @@
     "votes_allowed": 4,
     "district": "Gadget County",
     "candidates": [
-        {"name": "Sally Smith", "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""}},
-        {"name": "Hector Gomez", "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""}},
-        {"name": "Rosashawn Davis", "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""}},
-        {"name": "Oliver Tsi", "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""}},
-        {"name": "Glavin Orotund", "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""}},
-    ],
-    "write_ins": [
-        "recYurH2CLY3SlYS8",
-        "recI5jfcXIsbAKytC",
-        "recn9m0o1em7gLahj",
+        {
+            "id": "recbxvhKikHJNZYbq",
+            "name": ["Sally Smith"],
+            "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""},
+            "write_in": False,
+        },
+        {
+            "id": "recigPkqYXXDJEaCE",
+            "name": ["Hector Gomez"],
+            "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""},
+            "write_in": False,
+        },
+        {
+            "id": "recJvikmG5MrUKzo1",
+            "name": ["Rosashawn Davis"],
+            "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""},
+            "write_in": False,
+        },
+        {
+            "id": "recvjB3rgfiicf0RP",
+            "name": ["Oliver Tsi"],
+            "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""},
+            "write_in": False,
+        },
+        {
+            "id": "recbN7UUMaSuOYGQ6",
+            "name": ["Glavin Orotund"],
+            "party": {"name": "", "abbreviation": ""},
+            "write_in": False,
+        },
+        {"id": "recYurH2CLY3SlYS8", "write_in": True},
+        {"id": "recI5jfcXIsbAKytC", "write_in": True},
+        {"id": "recn9m0o1em7gLahj", "write_in": True},
     ],
 }
 
@@ -66,29 +109,22 @@
     "district": "United States of America",
     "candidates": [
         {
-            "name": "Anthony Alpha",
-            "party": {"name": "The Lepton Party", "abbreviation": "LEP"},
-        },
-        {
-            "name": "Betty Beta",
+            "id": "recQK3J9IJq42hz2n",
+            "name": ["Anthony Alpha", "Betty Beta"],
             "party": {"name": "The Lepton Party", "abbreviation": "LEP"},
+            "write_in": False,
         },
         {
-            "name": "Gloria Gamma",
-            "party": {
-                "name": "The Hadron Party of Farallon",
-                "abbreviation": "HAD",
-            },
-        },
-        {
-            "name": "David Delta",
+            "id": "reccUkUdEznfODgeL",
+            "name": ["Gloria Gamma", "David Delta"],
             "party": {
                 "name": "The Hadron Party of Farallon",
                 "abbreviation": "HAD",
             },
+            "write_in": False,
         },
+        {"id": "recPod2L8VhwagiDl", "write_in": True},
     ],
-    "write_ins": ["recPod2L8VhwagiDl"],
 }
 
 ballot_measure_1 = {