The bylaws require me to count the nos, because they are yes, no under the rules not IRV. This was the rule change spearheaded by ASV last summer. Therefore if you mark the candidate, it is counted as a yes, if you don't mark the candidate it is counted as a no.
As I said at the time a straight yes/no vote on each individual candidate would be a better way of choosing endorsements for non-House of Reps races. Whether you preference someone or not is a somewhat counter-intuitive method for voting, and I'm sure would trip up some who fail to read your advice properly.
