Poughkeepsie Journal Letter: Races Should Have More than One Hopeful

Today, I had a letter to the editor published in the Poughkeepsie Journal. You can view it online here or read below:

In the Town of Poughkeepsie Ward 5 last Tuesday, seven of the 13 races on the ballot featured a single candidate running unopposed. This goes against the nature of a true democracy, and there is no excuse for it. Voting for candidates is supposed to be a free and open choice. However, with just one candidate, it becomes what is called a “Hobson’s choice.” This term refers to the illusion of a “free” choice where there is really only one option. In other words, “take it or leave it.” Yet still, candidates run unopposed and get re-elected continuously. Nothing ever changes, because voters aren’t willing to create change. While unopposed candidates do create a Hobson’s choice, you always have the option to “leave it.” I regret that more voters did not choose this option by either writing in a candidate or not voting at all for those offices. If they had, perhaps we could have made a dent in the system.

Gregory Koch
Poughkeepsie

No Free Democracy in Town of Poughkeepsie Elections

Thomas Hobson, for
whom the "Hobson's
choice" is named.

In this post, I am going to take a break from talking about issues of national prominence, and focus on something a bit closer to home - tomorrow's local elections. If you don't live in my town, feel free to apply this to your own local election. 

In the Town of Poughkeepsie, a whopping seven of the 13 races that we will be voting on tomorrow feature a candidate running unopposed. In stark contrast to the free democracy we are supposed to be, these elections are a Hobson’s Choice. That is, we may in theory have a free choice as to who to vote for, but there is only one option. Either vote for “that guy” or don’t vote at all. But there is one way to fight the system. An election with two or more candidates, neither of whom you particularly care for wouldn't exactly be a Hobson's choice, but this option would still be available to you, so don't fear. So here's what to do.

Under New York State law, there is no restriction on who is eligible as a write-in candidate. So this Tuesday, instead of bubbling in the circles next to candidates like William Grady, Tom Tancredi, and Stephen Krakower, fill in the circle in the line that says “Write-in”. Then, just write in whoever YOU think is right for the job. Yourself, your neighbor, your friend, or that six-year old from down the block who always helps you out.  The choice is up to you. The candidates on the ballot are basically telling us to “take it or leave it”. Let us vote to leave it. 

Note: The Board of Elections will tally the number of write-ins total, but will not count the number of write-ins for an individual unless the number of write-ins is greater than the number of votes for the next-leading candidate. So, in all likelihood, your neighbor will never know you voted for him unless you let him know.