Oxford Election ON TUESDAY, JUNE 16TH, 2026 AT THE OXFORD TOWN OFFICE!
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It has been a long time since the Town of Oxford has had an uncontested election. However, this year the only registered candidate is Commission President Katrina Greer. The deadline for registration as a candidate and for write-in candidates has come and gone with no one else registering. According to the town charter:
Section C5-9.1 Write-In Candidates.
(b)A person may run in an election for a Commissioner position as a write-in candidate provided
that they are qualified to serve as a Town Commissioner in accordance with Section C3-2 of the Town Charter, and provided that they have filed a certificate of nomination with the Board of Supervisors of Elections at least ten (10) days prior to the election. A write-in candidate shall comply with all requirements imposed by the Town upon candidates running for office.
(c)In any election, the Board of Supervisors of Elections shall count any write-in vote for a write-in
candidate who has complied with the provisions set forth in subsection (b) above. A write-in vote shall not be counted unless the vote is for a write-in candidate who has complied with subsection (b). (Res. No. 2311, 10
24-2023).
This section of the charter has been in place since approximately 2019 or sooner. For reference, here is a link to both the 2019 charter and the current, updated charter.
Charter of the Town of Oxford (2019)
xydoc/1 (2024 edition)
(The Oxford Town Charter comprises the rules and regulations for the town. They are created and amended by vote of the elected commissioners.)
Greer will have a second term on the town commission unless someone attempts to break the rules.
There is a small group of people in Oxford who may be seeking to suppress the vote on Tuesday while writing in the name of someone else for the office even though the deadline has passed. Their hope, allegedly, is that they will keep Greer from getting a strong vote tally and use that fact to falsely claim she doesn't have the support of Oxford citizens. Even though the charter is clear that these write in votes would not count, this group is attempting to embarrass Greer. This is not the first time that some of these citizens have attempted to subvert the results of elections.
In 2023, when Greer handily defeated Susan Delean Botkin, Commissioner Brian Wells suddenly resigned from his position, thus allowing the commissioners at the time, Wells, Jimmy Jaramillo, and Tom Costigan, to "appoint" Botkin, the loser of the election before Greer, the winner, was sworn in. This was termed a "work around" by those who planned it in case Botkin lost. They knew the town had a referendum to be voted on that would require a special election in the case of a commissioner not completing his term but that was not going to happen before they could make their appointment. The referendum for a special election passed overwhelmingly, but appointed commissioner Botkin served till the end of Wells' term. Sneaky.
In 2024, signs for candidate Josh Coder were stolen off private property and thrown away. Coder eventually lost by a small 12-vote margin to Norm Bell. There were also serious questions about absentee ballots.
In 2025, during an election between sitting Commissioner Tom Costigan and challenger Dave Donovan, this same group attempted last minute character assassination of Donovan. A local marina owner posted unfounded allegations on FACEBOOK hoping to turn voters away from Donovan. It did exactly the opposite and Donovan won in a landslide.
This year they seem to be attempting more dirty politics by ignoring the rules.
While allowing write in candidates may be interpreted as a good thing because it allows people to write in a choice in protest, it is not a replacement for knowing which candidates are actually legally running in an election.
Historically, the practice began in the 1800's when ballots were not standardized. Voters often brought their own handwritten ballots, so writing in a name was natural. Over time, as states adopted printed ballots, the practice persisted as a way for voters to express dissent. In modern elections, write-ins are either fictional or ineligible candidates. Sometimes these write ins are "draft" campaigns to get a candidate's name out there. Most states either ban write ins or require them to register prior to the election as the Town of Oxford does.
The write in option is not meant to encourage secret campaigns by candidates who won't be, don't want to be and can't be qualified or vetted by voters.
The fact is that when a candidate files to run, it is a brave act. They put their name out there and open themselves up to both praise and criticism. It is an act of commitment to the town and the election process. Someone who files as a write in candidate has their name out there, even if it is only for ten days prior to the election. They have decided they have something good to offer the town.
Registration of write in candidates allows voters to compare candidates and their ideas. Unfortunately, the group that is promoting this secret campaign for a write in doesn't want that. Wouldn't this be an additional chance for them to share what they want for the town that is different from what Greer et al are doing? They don't seem to want that.
The question is "why?"
With the town's budget the way it is, tough choices need to be made. Some of these choices upset those people and organizations who are used to being given special privileges/powers by the town. They would like nothing more than to create chaos with a stealth write in candidate that they have organized ahead of time. They didn't have the courage or ethics to get that candidate on the ballot officially.
In short, they are petulant cowards who don't want to play by the rules. And we don't say that lightly.
They also want to suppress the vote for Greer, hoping that people will stay home TUESDAY since she is the only legitimate candidate on the ballot. In this way they can make some kind of sick point in an attempt to degrade Greer, a woman they clearly despise because she follows the rules, doesn't play favorites and let's everyone in on the decision-making process.
What does this mean?
Well, first of all, the charter is clear. Any votes for a write in candidate at this time CANNOT and SHOULD NOT be counted. This rule has been in place since 2019 (and possibly sooner) and the election process has been advertised by the town for years and months via emails, publications, meetings, etc. Unless one lives under a rock, they knew the rules. Certainly, if they were planning on running, they would know the rules. Certainly, any potential candidate or current commissioner knows.
What should the citizens of Oxford do?
People must vote on Tuesday. The right to legally vote is something citizens should always exercise, even if it means confirming the one candidate who has registered and fulfilled all the requirements.
Many citizens have said they will vote for Greer Tuesday because they want to show their appreciation of her hard work and efforts on behalf of the Town of Oxford. Many mention that the town has become more open to citizen participation and input during Greer's term, particularly during her time as President of the Commission. Even when they disagree these citizens are allowed to give their opinions in town meetings and the many work sessions. These ideas often influence decisions. This wasn't the case for a very long time.
Oxford decision making is so different from how things were done behind closed doors in the past.
Many like the transparency, even if it is difficult sometimes to endure the process when decisions are made. Transparent decision-making is long, arduous and sometimes contentious.
Citizens also cite the great working relationship between Bell, Donovan, and Greer. One resident commented on that fact on the way out of a rather lengthy budget workshop, "I have rarely seen an elected body work so well and in such a constructive way to solve problems."
They are all to be congratulated for that and work to keep moving forward in that vein. Let's hope they do.
VOTE ON TUESDAY, JUNE 16TH, 2026 AT THE OXFORD TOWN OFFICE!
SIDE NOTE: Another ugly rumor is that since Greer has been unopposed, that this write in scenario is a chance for a "candidate" to float their name out there as a possible candidate for commissioner in case a current commissioner should resign their position before the end of their term. This would trigger a special election which would have to be held within 45 days of the next meeting held after the resignation/vacancy.
It would certainly be an advantage to this person who had already been a write in and gotten name recognition. A second candidate may not be prepared to run on such short notice.
Of course, this is a rumor, and we certainly hope that no one in this town would participate in such a sham. Some think this is just a way to "stir the pot" and cause controversy. But then again, we all know what happened in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
