Students Build New Ballot Boxes for the CNC Election on November 10, 2026

Though most of us our focused on the midterm elections on Tuesday November 3, 2026 another election is coming up in Scarsdale. On Tuesday November 10, the Village of Scarsdale will hold an election for the Citizen’s Nominating Committee who in turn nominates Village Trustees, the Mayor and Village Justice.

You can vote at Scarsdale Library from 7 am – 9 pm or mail in your ballot which you can see here . Printed ballots will also be available at the Scarsdale Library and Village Hall beginning Monday afternoon November 2, 2026.  Information about (i) the election is available here. 

Here's who's running in each district:

Last year, the Village of Scarsdale had a policy change and said they would not provide ballot boxes for the CNC elections. As Chair of the Procedure Committee last year, Ralph Geer sought out alternatives. He reached out to Scarsdale Middle School tech teacher Mike Cannone who agreed to help out by asking his class to build the ballot boxes.

Cannone explained, “These ballot boxes were started by two students, Charlie Geer and Ishan Gangwar, along with myself during the spring of 2026. These students stayed after school to help plan them out and then build them. Most of the work constructing the boxes was finished by the end of the school year in June. This fall, the boxes still needed to be planed and sanded. During class, I would often ask for volunteers to spend a few minutes working on the ballot boxes. So the remaining tasks were completed more as a group effort this fall."

So thanks to Mike Cannone and his middle school tech students, Scarsdale has ballot boxes for the election on November 10, 2026. Remember to vote at Scarsdale Library.

Here is a copy of the entire ballot:

2026 ELECTION FOR THE CITIZENS NOMINATING COMMITTEE
November 10, 2026, In-Person Voting at Scarsdale Public Library 7AM-9PM
OR BY MAIL-IN BALLOT Instructions Enclosed
Non-Partisan Government, Good Government, Honest Government

CNC ELECTION FAQ

When and where is the election?
• Tuesday, November 10, 2026 – 7am-9pm.
• Voting will be held in the Scott Room of the Scarsdale Public Library.

Can I vote by mail?
• Yes. Mail in balloting is also available, and a copy of the mail-in ballot is below, along with instructions on how to submit the mail-in ballot.

How can I learn more about the candidates?
• Candidate biographies are set forth below.

What is the Non-Partisan System, and what is the CNC?
• Scarsdale’s Non-Partisan System promotes the election of candidates who are qualified by reason of their civic rather than political abilities and experience.
• Village residents elect a Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC), which in turn selects a slate of candidates for the village offices of trustee, mayor and village justice.
• The system encourages the active participation of all residents.

Who runs the CNC election? Who can I contact for more information?
• The Procedure Committee runs the CNC election. The Chair of the Procedure Committee is Dan Besikof (danbesikof@gmail.com). The Vice Chair of the Procedure Committee is Allison Zolot (azolot@gmail.com).
• The members of the Procedure Committee are residents from each of Scarsdale’s five elementary school neighborhoods and include: Dan Besikof, Allison Zolot, Ralph Geer, Amy Frank, Anne Gilhool, Beth Altschuler, Emily Mervis, Alex Forshner, Zendi Shi, Aubrey Phillibert, Tom Dundon, Emily Finn, Linying Liu, Andrew Sereysky, Christopher Burrows, and Jessica Weintraub.
• More information about the Procedure Committee can be found at https://www.scarsdaleprocedurecommittee.org/.

Who finances this election and Scarsdale’s Non-Partisan System?
• The Non-Partisan System and the administration of this election are financed entirely by community support.
• Please donate either online with PayPal at https://www.scarsdaleprocedurecommittee.org/Donate or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 284, Scarsdale, NY 10583. Thank you for your support!

Who is eligible to run for the CNC?
• With certain exceptions listed in the Non-Partisan Resolution, anyone who (i) is eighteen or older, (ii) has been a resident of Scarsdale for at least 2 years before Election Day, and (iii) has 10 supporting signatures, can run for a seat on the CNC.
• Two CNC members are elected from each elementary school district each year. Each CNC member holds a 3-year term.

What is the structure of the non-partisan system?
• The Non-Partisan System is governed by the Non-Partisan Resolution that creates its structure: a Procedure Committee to administer the CNC election, a Citizens Nominating Committee to nominate candidates to stand for election to village office, and a campaign committee of the Scarsdale Citizens Non-Partisan Party formed by volunteers to advance the slate.

Why does Scarsdale have a non-partisan system?
This Non-Partisan System was developed as a response to several contentious partisan campaigns for village office between the Republican and Democratic committees many years ago. This system has many advantages:

• The system belongs to everyone: There is no party registration requirement. Any Scarsdale resident is automatically a member of the Non-Partisan System.
• Anyone can propose a candidate’s name for village office to the CNC. Candidates are typically proposed by neighbors or fellow community volunteers who respect the candidate’s judgment and value the candidate’s history of involvement in village affairs. Candidates are free of special interest lobbying. Candidates are not beholden to special interests or parties, and the pool of people the system can tap is larger than a party-based system. Elected officials’ positions are derived by listening to community residents, gathering all available information, and using good judgment to determine what is in the best interests of the village as a whole.
• The system taps a wide range of talent and experience. Village trustees traditionally serve for no more than two 2-year terms; the village mayor traditionally serves one 2-year term. Shorter terms allow a greater number of residents to participate in the system. Under the Non-Partisan System, Scarsdale has enjoyed good, honest government for more than a century as one of the few municipalities in New York State with the stand-alone AAA credit rating.

CANDIDATES FOR THE CITIZENS NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Biographical data in this brochure are based on information submitted by the candidates.

EDGEWOOD (Vote for Up to 2)
Brett Bandsma: 69 Tunstall Rd Years of Residency: 9
Occupation: CTO, 1823 Partners
Education: University of Michigan – BSE (1996)

Richard Foran: 248 Madison Rd Years of Residency: 40
Occupation: Former president of two insurance companies
Education: BS Manhattan College, Economics (1979); MBA St. John's University (1982)
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Firefighter, AARP Defensive Driving Instructor, District Leader

Martin Kang: 168 Bradley Rd Years of Residency: 8
Occupation: Finance Professional
Education: MBA Columbia Business School (2014); BS Columbia University (2006)
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Volunteer at Feeding Westchester

FOX MEADOW (Vote for Up to 2)
Ken Mazer: 47 Church Lane Years of Residency: 30
Occupation: Vice President & Co-Founder of Textile Importing Company
Education: University of Vermont, BA 1985; New York University, MBA 1990
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees, 2022 - 2026 Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Department, 1999- Present (Lieutenant 2002- 2018 & President 2012-2019)
Jill Spielberg: 40 Ogden Road Years of Residency: 16
Occupation: Attorney, Executive Partner
Education: BA, Colgate University (2002); JD, Brooklyn Law School (2005)
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Forum President 2025-26; CNC Chair 2021; CNC Member 2019-2020, 2022-25
Laura Thierer: 50 Popham Rd, Apt 4F Years of Residency: 8
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: CNC Member; Scarsdale Procedure Committee Member

GREENACRES (Vote for Up to 2)
Janice Leung: 7 Gorham Ct Years of Residency: 5 years
Occupation: Compliance Lead and Data Center Security at Amazon (AWS)
Education: BS in Business, University of Buffalo (2011)
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Host & Organizer: Neighborhood Toddler Halloween Celebration – Oct 2025; Host & Organizer: Early Motherhood Connection Evening – Oct 2026; Host & Organizer: Gorham Court Spring Celebration and Egg Hunt – April 2026; Class Parent, Montessori School- 2024-2026; Founder: Chinese-Speaking Parent Network in Montessori School - 2024-2026; Volunteer: Assisting local Greenacres Chinese community and facilitate distribution of community package shipments from China – Ongoing; Member of Greenacres Neighborhood Association 2023-2026

Robert Klein: 1189 Post Road Years of Residency: 42
Occupation: Architect/ Strategic Facilities Planner Architect in The United Kingdom: Oxford Regional Health Authority: (1973-1978) Principal, Director of Strategic Facilities Planning and Workplace Consulting (1978-2020) The Switzer Group, Swanke Hayden and Connell, HLW, and Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM)
Education: BS University of Michigan (1971); Post Graduate Diploma in Health Facility Planning, NOrth London University (1976)
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Member, Scarsdale School Board (2020-2026); Greenacres Neighborhood Association, Board Member (20216-2020); Boy Scouts Den Leader (1986-1989)

HEATHCOTE (Vote for Up to 2)
Anne Moretti: 10 Pinecrest Road Years of Residency: 28
Occupation: Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty
Education: Master’s Degree, International Economics, Columbia University School of International Affairs (1982); BS in Foreign Service, Georgetown University (1980)
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Scarsdale Council on People with Disabilities – 2023-2026; Sherbrooke Park President; SNAP Participant; SFCS Board (7 years) and Advisory (7 years); Scarsdale Bowl Nominating Committee, Scarsdale PTA member, Newcomers Association; Multi-Cultural Association (Heathcote); Scarsdale Tennis Captain (Rec).
Dan Martin: 13 Richbell Road Years of Residency: 47
Occupation: Food industry executive, then became a public-school teacher. Currently a New York City Department of Education English Teacher at Bronx Leadership Academy.
Education: Master’s in Professional Studies, Manhattanville University (May 2025); MBA, Harvard University (1993); BA, Brown University (1988).
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Little league baseball coach (2006-2012); Rec soccer coach (2005-2012)

Kerry Hayes: 3 Lenox Place Years of Residency: 18
Occupation: Marketing & Retail Design Professional, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, LLC
Education: BFA in Communications Design, Syracuse University (1995)
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Heathcote PTA President Elect/President (2014-2016); Scarsdale PT Council Secretary (2019-2021); Scarsdale Travel Softball Board Secretary/Vice President (2018-2022); Scarsdale SBNC –Committee Member, Vice-Chair, Administrative Committee (2018-2022); Village Advisory Committee on Communications (2021-2025); Scarsdale Schools Education Foundation Board Member (2023-present); Scarsdale Adult School Advisory Committee (2026-present); Young Writers’ Workshop Event Co-Chair (2018)

QUAKER RIDGE (Vote for Up to 2)
Amber Yusuf: 28 Myrtledale Road Years of Residency: 17
Occupation: Senior Director of Talent Operations, The Acceleration Project
Education: BS in Electrical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, MBA at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Scarsdale Board of Education – 2020-2026, President 2022-2023, Vice President 2021-2022; PTC President – 2018-2019; Heathcote PTA President – 2016-2017; LWVS Treasurer – 2026; LWVS Trustee – 2019-2020; Audit Committee Chair 2021, 2022, Nominating Committee Chair, 2025; Young Men's Service League – Parliamentarian 2025-2026; Requirements Chair 2023-2025; Scarsdale Foundation – Board member 2026; Scarsdale Adult School – Board member 2026; Advisory Committee 2024 – 2026; Heathcote ASC Chair – 2014-2016; Village Technology Committee – 2020-2024; CNC – 2017-2018
Kevin Schwartz: 16 Aspen Road Years of Residency: 6
Occupation: Advertising Sales
Education: BA, University of Maryland (2003)
Civic Activities in Scarsdale: Scarsdale Little League Coach 2023-2026

2026 MAIL-IN BALLOT FOR CITIZENS NOMINATING COMMITTEE
**Vote ONLY for Candidates in Your Elementary School District**
**INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTING ON NEXT PAGE**
*EDGEWOOD (Vote for Up to 2)*
o Brett Bandsma
o Richard Foran
o Martin Kang

*FOX MEADOW (Vote for Up to 2)*
o Ken Mazer
o Jill Spielberg
o Laura Thierer

*GREENACRES (Vote for Up to 2)*
o Janice Leung
o Robert Klein

*HEATHCOTE (Vote for Up to 2)*
o Anne Moretti
o Dan Martin
o Kerry Hayes

*QUAKER RIDGE (Vote for Up to 2)*
o Amber Yusuf
o Kevin Schwartz

Use this form if you wish to VOTE by Mail-In Ballot in the CITIZENS NOMINATING COMMITTEE Election, which will be held on November 10, 2026
2026 CITIZENS NOMINATING COMMITTEE ELECTION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAIL-IN BALLOT
Vote in-person at the Scarsdale Library OR by Mail-in Ballot in 2026.
1. Eligibility to vote by mail: You must be: (i) eighteen years or older, and (ii) a resident of Scarsdale for at least 30 days before Election Day, Tuesday, November 10, 2026. You do not need to be a registered voter. If not voting in person, tear out and use this Brochure’s form or download the Mail-In Ballot and instructions from the Procedure Committee website at: https://www.scarsdaleprocedurecommittee.org/.
2. The Mail-In Ballot is a one-page listing of candidates. Please vote ONLY for candidates in your Election Unit (your elementary school district). Voting for more than the number of open seats in your Election Unit, or for candidates in another Election Unit, or for candidates in multiple Election Units will invalidate your vote.
3. After you have marked the Mail-In Ballot, please take ALL of the following steps
a. DO NOT SIGN THE COMPLETED BALLOT.
b. Place your completed Mail-In Ballot in a plain envelope and seal it. DO NOT SIGN OR MARK the plain envelope in any way to ensure the privacy of your vote.
c. Address a second larger envelope to: Procedure Committee, P.O. Box 284, Scarsdale, NY 10583. Alternatively, you can drop this larger envelope in the mailbox of the Procedure Committee Chair, Dan Besikof, at 142 Madison Road.
d. In the upper left-hand corner of the envelope, please include your name, full address, and elementary school district (Edgewood, Fox Meadow, Greenacres, Heathcote or Quaker Ridge) to validate your eligibility to vote.
e. Put the unmarked envelope containing the Mail-In Ballot inside the larger addressed envelope.
f. Seal the addressed envelope and sign the seal legibly. Your signature certifies that: (i) you are eligible to vote (see criteria at the top of this page) and that (ii) you have not already voted in the election by Mail-In Ballot.
4. To ensure your vote is counted: please Mail your ballot in the envelope with sufficient postage, and sufficiently in advance, so that it is received by the Procedure Committee at the Chase Road Post Office timely or at 142 Madison Road timely by November 10, 2026 at 5:00 pm ET.
5. Mail-in ballots must be received by the date indicated to ensure your vote is counted. If two or more people are voting from the same address, each voter must send their Mail-In Ballot separately. Multiple ballots in a single envelope will be invalidated.
6. Voters may make additional copies of this Brochure’s blank Mail-In Ballot form for each person voting in their household, as long as each person’s ballot is mailed separately per the instruction above.