Voters in Bayville, a Long Island village of about 7,000 people, went to the polls even though no candidate’s name appeared on the ballot for mayor, according to CBS News. The outlet reported that turnout was strong despite the unusual circumstances. Residents described the situation as something they had not seen before in the village.
No one apparently collected the signatures needed to officially run for mayor before the May deadline. As a result, the ballot showed empty slots where candidates’ names would normally appear. A sample ballot reviewed by CBS News showed the blank spaces for the mayoral race.
Bayville resident John Angerame told the outlet that the lack of candidates was surprising given the village’s sense of community. “It makes you wonder, because there is a lot of community pride, why there is no one running,” Angerame said. Another couple interviewed by the outlet said the situation appeared to be unprecedented for the village. “It is strange. All the years we have been here, it’s the first time it has ever happened.”
Write-in votes will determine who becomes mayor
Because no one is officially on the ballot, the mayoral race in Bayville has reportedly turned into what CBS News described as a free-for-all. The outlet reported that an attorney, a sanitation worker, and several other residents are seeking write-in support from voters. Under this process, the eligible resident who receives the most valid write-in votes is set to become mayor, even if that total is small, according to the report.
At least eight people are seeking write-in votes for the position, including Kevin Casey. Casey told the outlet that his motivation for seeking the role was tied to community service. “To me, it’s about serving the community,” Casey said.
Casey also reportedly criticized how the vacancy was handled, calling the absence of any official candidate “a national embarrassment”. He attributed the outcome to insufficient public notice that the sitting mayor would not seek reelection. “It comes down to the fact to the notice was horrible in letting people know that the current mayor wasn’t seeking reelection,” Casey said.
Current Mayor Steve Minicozzi reportedly decided not to seek reelection. Minicozzi said that fewer people appear willing to stay in the local office for extended periods. “The trend that I see is I don’t really see people staying too long. I think, in the social media world of today, it beats you up a little bit,” Minicozzi said. He added that the role requires a significant time commitment, saying, “Running for mayor is a big commitment. It’s a job you have to have the time.”
John Taylor, who had been a candidate before withdrawing, revealed that he was concerned about who might end up winning through the write-in process. “A lot of people who I feel are very unqualified, or should not be running, raise their hands. They’re just not prepared for this job. It’s a little more than just being class president,” Taylor said.
Minicozzi indicated he would be willing to serve an additional year if he receives the most write-in votes. It’s also reported that the mayoral position carries a stipend of $5,000 per year, and that the village faces a range of issues, including flooding and concerns about the local economy. Other Long Island communities have also dealt with costly local government disputes, including one town that lost a costly golf course lawsuit and now faces a multimillion-dollar bill.
Despite the unusual ballot, some residents said that the situation has sparked renewed civic interest in the village. One person said, “Everybody is starting to wake up and realize what’s going on.” It was reported that vote counting in the mayoral race could take longer than usual, since all the entries are expected to be handwritten write-ins. In a separate Long Island news, a local mother accidentally overpaid for World Cup tickets while shopping online for her son.
Published: Jun 17, 2026 04:40 pm