Vote & Election Info: Special Election on September 15, 2026

BOARD OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCES SPECIAL ELECTION ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

The Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD) Board of Education announces their unanimous decision at the Organizational Board Meeting, on July 13, 2026, to fill the current vacancy on the Board by special election, in accordance with New York State Education Law. The special election will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, with the winner serving the remainder of the vacant term, through June 30, 2027.

• Statement from Board President Judith Hight (from the July 13, 2026 board meeting)
• Resolution to Call Special Meeting (Election) on September 15, 2026 (from the July 13, 2026 board meeting)
• Legal Notice for Special Election on September 15, 2026 (as published in the Cazenovia Republican and Oneida Dispatch)
• Candidate Bios (will be updated on August 18, 2026)

Special Election Day:  Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Polls Open:  7:00 am to 9:00 pm
Location:  Cazenovia Middle School Auxiliary Gym, 31 Emory Avenue

 

Members of the Board of Education are elected to serve a three (3) year, unpaid, non-partisan term. The Board of Education consists of seven (7) voting members and a Student Member (ex officio). Those who are interested in running for election can find useful information in our Policies and on NYSSBA's website.

Nominating petition packets are below (four parts), and hard copies can be obtained from the District Clerk. You do not have to use the petition provided by the District, however, petitions must be notarized and filed with the District Clerk no later than 30 days prior to the election. The District Clerk is a Notary Public and this service is free. Ballots go into production the following day, and the order in which candidates' names appear on the ballot is determined by the drawing of lots by the District Clerk the day after the nominating petition deadline, according to NYS Education Law.

In New York, candidates run for a seat on the Board of Education utilizing one of two systems authorized under the NYS Education Law:  “Specific Seats” or "At Large." Cazenovia CSD uses the "At Large" system of voting (see Policy 1210). With the “At Large” system of voting, any candidate can be elected to fill any seat on the Board.  The candidates are seated, after the election results, based upon the number of votes received.  The individual receiving the most votes is elected to fill the longest term in office on the Board up for election at that vote.  The individual receiving the second most votes receives the seat associated with the second longest term in office, and so on.  When this system is used, the ballot does not and cannot list candidates as running for a specific seat and a specific term of office on the Board.  The terms of office assigned to the newly elected Board Members are entirely dependent upon the results of the vote, and the number of votes received by each candidate. 

According to Policy 1210, nominating petitions must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters, or by two percent (2%) of the number of voters who voted in the most recent annual vote and election, whichever is greater.

PLEASE NOTE:  On May 19, 2026, a total of 1,735 ballots were cast, therefore, nominating petitions will require a minimum of thirty-five (35) signatures.

Board of Education Election Documents:

VOTE EARLY, ABSENTEE, MILITARY

*Per NYS Law, "A qualified voter is a person who is

1.  a citizen of the United States,
2.  at least 18 years old,
3.  a resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which he or she offers to vote, and
4.  who is not otherwise prohibited from voting under the provisions of section 5-106 of the Election Law."

Cazenovia Central School District
Attn:  District Clerk
31 Emory Ave
Cazenovia, NY 13035
 

1.  APPLICATION

Special Election - Sept 15, 2026 - Absentee Vote App
Special Election - Sept 15, 2026 - Early Vote by Mail App

 

 

In order for your ballot to be counted, you must return it in its completed (signed, dated, and sealed), district-issued envelope, and it must be received by the District Clerk (by mail or in person) no later than 5:00 pm on the day of the vote.

A list of all voters to whom an early vote by mail, absentee, or military ballot was issued will be kept on file in the District Office and available for inspection by any qualified voter during regular business hours for the five (5) business days preceding the vote (the Tuesday before the vote through the day before the vote, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm) and at the polls on vote/election day (7:00 am to 9:00 pm).

QUESTIONS?
 

If you have questions that were not answered above, please contact the District Clerk, Emily Ayres, at (315) 655-1317 or eayres@caz.cnyric.org.

Please Note:  Individual employees or officials do not speak on behalf of the school district relative to any budget votes and school board elections. We encourage all qualified voters to do their own research and come out to vote.