Hempstead school election results annulled by NY after ballots allegedly torn up, thrown in dumpster
Pictures of ballots torn up and thrown into a dumpster can be seen in a petition filed with the Education Department.
The state has ordered a new election in the Hempstead School District after ballots were allegedly tampered with.
State Education Department Commissioner of Education Betty A. Rosa annulled the results of the open trustee position election results on Thursday. The district has 60 days to hold a new election.
Pictures of ballots torn up and thrown into a dumpster can be seen in a petition filed with the Education Department.
News 12 first reported on the fraud allegations last month, when the district requested the state to review the election results.
The school district's labor council, Austin Graff, said an usually high number of absentee and early-mail ballots raised eyebrows immediately, and the subsequent investigation raised even more questions about how district clerk April Keys and Hempstead Board of Education Vice President Victor Pratt handled the ballots.
As News 12 previously reported, Pratt said some board members accused Keys of mishandling absentee ballots.
Keys has been placed on leave and another district clerk was also placed on leave while the accusations are investigated.
A Nassau County district attorney spokesperson said they received a referral from the Hempstead School District and is reviewing the allegations. They declined to further comment.
The Hempstead Union Free School District released the following statement:
The Hempstead Union Free School District Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the New York State Education Department Commissioner's decision annulling the results of the May 19, 2026 trustee election and directing that a revote for the trustee seat be held within 60 days. The Board appreciates the Commissioner's expeditious review of this matter, which enables the District to move forward with the revote in accordance with the Commissioner's ruling. The Board is committed to ensuring that the revote is conducted fairly, transparently, and in full compliance with all applicable legal requirements, while facilitating a seamless Board transition prior to the start of the 2026–2027 school year in September.
