The Riverhead Central School District will be holding its Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.  On that date the voters of the school district will vote on the 2023-2024 School District Budget proposal which has been formulated by the Board of Education and District Administration. 

There will be three (3) open seats on the Board of Education this year.  The terms will run from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026. 

As of 3/28/23, there will be one (1) additional open seat on the Board of Education.  The term for this vacancy will be from May 17, 2023 through June 30, 2025. 

Information for those wishing to be candidates for the open seats is found below.

A Public Information Meeting/Budget Hearing on this vote will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

Qualifications for Candidacy on the Board of Education:

Those who wish to run for the Board of Education must:

• Be a citizen of the United States of America

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age

• Be able to read and write

• Be a resident of the Riverhead Central School District continuously for one (1) year

• Not be an employee of the school district

• Not be a family member of the Board of Education residing in the same household

Nominating Petitions:

Candidates must submit a petition to the School District Clerk signed by at least fifty-three (53) qualified district voters (2% of the total number who voted in the 2022 Annual Budget Vote and Election).  The petitions must include the following:

• Candidate’s Name and Residence

• Signature and residences of those signing the petition

• Length of the term of office for which the candidate is being nominated

Riverhead CSD conducts its Board of Education election on an at-large basis, meaning that the three (3) top vote getters will win the three (3) available seats on the Board of Education.

The candidate receiving the 4th highest number of votes will be appointed to the newly vacated seat.  

The District Clerk will make blank Candidate Petitions available beginning on March 6, 2023 at the District Office. 

Completed Nominating Petitions must be returned to the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 17, 2023 at the District Office.

Candidates will be required to file financial disclosure forms regarding their campaign, which will be provided by the District Clerk.

Voter Qualifications:

To be eligible to vote in school district elections a person must:

• Be at least 18 years of age

• Be resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to May 16, 2023

• Be a citizen of the United States

• Be a registered voter with the Suffolk County Board of Elections

District Polling Places:

Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Voters must vote in the Polling Place which serves the area in which they reside.

• Election District No. 1 – Riley Avenue Elementary School

• Election District No. 2 – Phillips Avenue Elementary School

• Election District No. 3 – Roanoke Avenue Elementary School

• Election District No. 4 – Aquebogue Elementary School

Please contact the Office of the District Clerk at (631) 369-4724 to determine the appropriate polling place or use this link: Where do I Vote / Donde voto  (use your physical address, not your mailing address) 

Voter Registration:

Qualified voters may register any school day at the District Office at 814 Harrison Avenue in Riverhead between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.  The deadline to register with the School District Board of Registry is May 9, 2023.  This registration will only allow registrants to vote in the School District Election.

Qualified voters may also register with the Suffolk County Board of Elections to vote in all municipal elections relating to their address.  These registration forms are available from the Office of the District Clerk and from the Suffolk County Board of Elections - (631) 852-4500.

Use this link to check if you are registered to vote:  Am I Registered  / Estoy registrado  (use your physical address, not your mailing address) 

Absentee Ballots:

Pursuant to Education Law §2018-a (2)(f), absentee ballot applications must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than the thirtieth day before the election for which an absentee ballot is sought.  (Applications will NOT be accepted before April 17, 2023)

Absentee Ballot Applications may be obtained from the District Office, 814 Harrison Avenue in Riverhead or via the district web site, www.riverhead.net, or by clicking below.  Ballots will be issued upon the satisfactory completion and submission of the application form.  The deadline for filing an Absentee Ballot Application, if the ballot is to be mailed to the resident, is Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.  Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote. The deadline for filing an Absentee Ballot Application, if the ballot is to be personally delivered to the resident, is Monday, May 15, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.  Absentee Ballots may be issued to third parties representing the voter provided the third party is identified on the Absentee Ballot Application and is able to provide proper identification when picking-up the ballot from the Office of the District Clerk.  All Absentee Ballots must be filed with the District Clerk by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

Absentee Ballot Applications may be dropped off or mailed to:

District Clerk

814 Harrison Avenue

Riverhead, NY 11901

Absentee Ballot Application - English

Absentee Ballot Application - Spanish

Military Ballots:

Military Ballot Applications may be obtained from the Office of the District Clerk and submitted to the District Clerk, by mail, no later than Thursday, April 20, 2023.  Military Ballots will be mailed out no later than Friday, April 21, 2023 and must be filed with the District Clerk by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. 

Military Ballot Application