Two open seats do not require two selections

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Dear Editor:

As voters prepare to cast their ballots in the Noblesville School Board election, I want to clarify a point that I recently questioned myself: With two seats available, are we required to vote for two candidates?

The answer is no. Voters may select up to two candidates, but choosing just one is valid. That vote still counts, and leaving a second selection unused does not invalidate the ballot.

I am supporting Denise Dye because her stated priorities – academic achievement, meaningful partnerships with parents, and responsible financial stewardship – reflect the direction I want for our schools. I believe school board leadership should keep students’ education at the center of its decisions, welcome families into the conversation, and approach taxpayer dollars with care and accountability.

Understanding how our selections are counted matters. Each candidate we select receives one vote. Selecting Denise and another candidate gives each of them a vote as they compete for the two available seats. Selecting only Denise gives her one vote without adding to a competing candidate’s total.

Voting for one candidate does not give that person two votes. Likewise, choosing a second candidate does not erase the first vote. The distinction is simply whether we also want to support someone else in the same race.

If voters support two candidates, they may vote for both. But if Denise is the only candidate they wish to support, there is no obligation to select another name merely because two seats are open.

For me, the choice is Denise Dye alone in the school board contest.

I encourage voters to review the candidates, read the ballot instructions carefully, and make deliberate choices. An available selection is an option, not an obligation. Every vote we cast should reflect someone we actually want to represent us.

Meredith Ziegenhagel
Noblesville