Assume the database contains only the following entries for voter last names and birth dates in mm/dd/yyyy format:
| last name | "van" location | dob | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| De Van | De Van | 4/01/1977 | "van" at end |
| Smith | none | 4/01/1977 | no "van" in this name |
| Stevans | Stevans | 8/13/1980 | "van" in middle |
| Sturdivant | Sturdivant | 4/01/1977 | |
| Van Buren | Van Buren | 1/22/1981 | spelling #1 of Van-Buren |
| Van Der Meer | Van Der Meer | 7/14/1982 | spelling #1 of Van-Der-Meer |
| Van-Staagen | Van-Staagen | 8/15/1983 | |
| Vanburen | Vanburen | 9/24/1984 | spelling #2 of Van-Buren |
| Vance | Vance | 2/28/1985 | |
| Vander Meer | Vander Meer | 3/17/1986 | spelling #2 of Van-Der-Meer |
| Vanderbilt | Vanderbilt | 4/01/1977 | |
| VanderBuren | VanderBuren | 5/08/1949 | has a "der" between the "van" and the "buren" |
| Vandermeer | Vandermeer | 4/01/1977 | spelling #3 of Van-Der-Meer |
| Vansickle | Vansickle | 4/01/1977 | "van" in front |
In a search, an % wildcard character can represent one character, many characters, or even zero characters. Thus where % is specified in the search string, any number of characters (including 0) can be present in a matching name. Those characters can be alphabetic, blanks, or special characters, such as apostrophes or hyphens. Multiple % wildcards can be used in a search string. They can be placed anywhere.
Note that wildcard searchs can be done only on the name search screen. Wildcards cannot be used on the Geocode screen, where address searches are done. However, on the Geocode screen watch as you type in an address. The system will make a guess at the desired address and try to complete the address you are typing. This is somewhat like putting an "%" at the end of what you had typed so far, although only a single matching address can be shown on the screen.
"WILDCARD-2008.HTM" 18 Mar 2011 23:58:44 (JKNAUTH)