Budget and Board Election Information 2024-2025

The public hearing for the school budget will take place on:

Wednesday, May 8th at 6:30 PM in the Centereach High School Auditorium

The school budget vote and trustee election will take place on:

Tuesday, May 21st from 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

You will vote at one of our high schools (in the rear gymnasium) based upon your zip code, not by where your child attends school.

• Centereach High School (11720, 11755, 11779, 11790)
  
  
• Newfield High School (11727, 11738, 11776, 11784)

Do You Need To Register To Vote?

If you are currently registered with the Suffolk County Board of Elections, or if you have voted in a Middle Country Central School District election in the past four years, you are registered. If you are not sure, you can either:

• Verify using the Middle Country Registration Checker and Poll Place Finder or,
• Contact the District Clerk at (631) 285-8011 or e-mail slarkin@mccsd.net. 

If You Need to Register to Vote

To be eligible to vote, you must answer “yes” to the following requirements: 

• I am a citizen of the United States. 
• I am age 18 years of age or older on the day of the vote. 
• I have been a resident of the Middle Country Central School District for 30 days. 

Residents may register to vote in school district elections at the District Clerk’s office during school hours when school is in session. Registration to vote can be accomplished remotely through the New York State DMV website.

Last Day for Voter Registration – May 16, 2024

Absentee, Early Mail, and Military Ballots are due May 21, 2024, by 5:00 P.M.

Completed Absentee, Early Mail, and Military Ballots must be received by the District Clerk on or before the day of the vote, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, no later than 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Stephanie Larkin, District Clerk, at slarkin@mccsd.net or 631-285-8011.

Application for an Absentee Ballot

Please note: Applications for absentee ballots cannot be accepted before April 22, 2024.

Applications for Absentee Ballots are below and are available during school business hours from the District Clerk. Completed applications for requesting an Absentee Ballot must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the vote, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, OR the day before the election, Monday, May 20, 2024, if the application is to be dropped off and the ballot is to be picked up in person by the voter. Please scan and email the application with a handwritten signature (no electronic signatures will be accepted) to Stephanie Larkin, District Clerk at slarkin@mccsd.net or send it by mail to: Stephanie Larkin, District Clerk, Middle Country CSD, 8 43rd Street, Centereach, NY 11720.

• Absentee Ballot and Instructions (English)

• Absentee Ballot and Instructions (Spanish)

You must meet any one of the following qualifications to vote via Absentee Ballot:

1. Absent from Suffolk County due to employment or business reasons, duties, studies, or vacation on the date of the vote (May 21, 2024). 
2. Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability. 
3. Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or awaiting trial or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.

Application for Early Mail Vote Ballot

Please note: Applications for early mail vote ballots cannot be accepted before April 22, 2024.

Applications for Early Mail Vote Ballots are below and are available during school business hours from the District Clerk. Completed applications for requesting an Early Mail Vote Ballots must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the vote, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, OR the day before the election, Monday, May 20, 2024, if the application is to be dropped off and the ballot is to be picked up in person by the voter. Please scan and email the application with a handwritten signature (no electronic signatures will be accepted) to Stephanie Larkin, District Clerk at slarkin@mccsd.net or send it by mail to: Stephanie Larkin, District Clerk, Middle Country CSD, 8 43rd Street, Centereach, NY 11720.

You must meet the following qualifications to vote via Early Mail Ballot:

1. A United States citizen at least 18 years of age.
2. A resident of the school district for thirty (30) days immediately preceding the election.
3. Not otherwise prohibited from voting under the provisions of Section 5-106 of the Election Law. 

• Application and Instructions for Early Mail Vote Ballot - English

• Application and Instructions for Early Mail Vote Ballot - Spanish

Request for Military Ballot Application

Please note: Applications for military ballots cannot be accepted before April 22, 2024 and no later than April 25, 2024.

Military Ballot Applications may be obtained from the Office of the District Clerk and submitted to the District Clerk by mail - Stephanie Larkin, District Clerk at slarkin@mccsd.net or send it by mail to: Stephanie Larkin, District Clerk, Middle Country CSD, 8 43rd Street, Centereach, NY 11720 or fax (631-738-2719) no later than Thursday, April 25, 2024. Military voters must be registered voters. Military Ballots will be mailed out no later than Friday, April 26, 2024, and must be filed with the District Clerk by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

• Application and Instructions for Military Ballot - English
  
  
• Application and instructions for Military Ballot - Spanish

Those who run for membership on 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 Middle Country 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 forty-eight (48) qualified district voters (2% of the total number who voted in the 2024 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

Candidate Petitions available beginning the first Monday of March, 2024 from the District Clerk.  Please call (631) 285-8011 to make an appointment to obtain petitions.

Completed Nominating Petitions must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024 directly to the District Clerk, Middle Country CSD, 8 43rd Street, Centereach, NY 11720.

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