This year, Jericho residents will be handed a ballot with one name. No forum. No updated platform. No debate. Just a quiet, uncontested seat — sealed behind closed doors and presented to voters as a done deal.
But it’s not.
Voters still have one tool left: the write-in.
And this year, that line on your ballot is more than a blank space — it’s your only way to push back.
What Is a Write-In Candidate?
A write-in candidate is someone whose name does not appear on the printed ballot, but who can be legally voted for by writing their name on the designated line.
It is a fully legitimate form of civic participation recognized under New York State Education Law.
You don’t need permission to use it.
You don’t need a campaign flyer.
You don’t need a candidate forum.
All you need is your own judgment — and a pen.
How It Works in Jericho
Jericho uses ballots that include a write-in space on the ballot for Board of Education races. Here’s how it functions:
- You may write in any eligible resident of the district.
- The candidate must be:
- A U.S. citizen
- At least 18 years old
- A resident of the Jericho School District for at least one year
- Not employed by the district
- Spell the name clearly enough to be understood.
- The person does not need to pre-register or file paperwork.
If a write-in receives the most votes, that person is legally elected.
What Happens If the Write-In Wins?
- The District Clerk will notify the winner.
- That person has 30 days to accept and take the oath of office.
- If they do not, the seat is declared vacant.
- The board must then either:
- Appoint someone in a public meeting
- Call a special election
Crucially: the second-highest vote-getter does not automatically win.
A write-in victory resets the process — and forces it into the light.
Why It Matters More Than Ever
This year, the public wasn’t told the board president was stepping down.
No announcement went out.
No community-wide notice was made.
By the time residents found out the seat was open, the petition deadline had already passed — and one candidate was on the ballot.
Unopposed.
Without having to explain a platform.
Without fielding a question.
That’s not procedural.
That’s strategic.
This Isn’t Just About the Ballot — It’s About Control
The current political machinery in Jericho — including union leadership and parts of the PTA — has created a closed loop of influence that operates behind the scenes.
Candidates are recruited, endorsed, and installed — without public process.
A write-in is how you say:
No. We see it now. And we won’t legitimize it with silence.
Who Should You Write In?
That’s up to you.
Whether it’s someone active in the community, a respected figure, or a symbolic protest — the point is that you choose, not them.
The write-in line exists for this exact moment: when the system stops offering choices, and starts offering coronations.
A Write-In Vote Is Not a Waste
Even if your write-in doesn’t win:
- You’ve rejected an illegitimate process.
- You’ve signaled that the public is paying attention.
- You’ve made it harder for this to happen again next year.
If the write-in does win, and the candidate accepts, Jericho gets a new, publicly chosen trustee.
If the winner declines, the board must fill the vacancy under public scrutiny — not by stealth.
This Is the Line in the Sand
This isn’t about one candidate. It’s about whether this community will tolerate being handed decisions without a voice.
Every time a vote goes uncontested, power gets a little more comfortable.
Every time a forum is canceled, transparency dies a little more quietly.
But every write-in is a record. A reminder. A refusal.
This year, when you see that blank space under “Board of Education,” use it.
It’s the most honest box on the ballot.
