New York voters are getting creative with their write-in candidates

In our great democracy’s elections, we can vote for whomever we want through the magic of write-in ballots, even if the person we are voting for is in fact not a person but a cartoon character. In elections where neither candidate is appealing to a voter, most would simply stay home, but a few mischievous constituents always make their way to the polls to make their disillusionment known in some small way. In New York’s June primaries, Mickey Mouse was feeling the write-in love in multiple districts, indicating a between-the-lines message of “I would rather have a cartoon mouse in office than the people at the top of the ticket.” Here are some other ideas from creative voters. (Actual primary winners noted in parentheses.)

NY-10 (Daniel Goldman) 

– Clark Kent

In New York’s 10th Congressional District primary, Daniel Goldman defeated his closest rival Evan Hutchinson by over 14,000 votes. At least one person, however, thought the district needed a stronger representative – a super strong one even.  

NY-14 (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 

– Fiona Apple 

– Eric Andre

Singer-songwriter Fiona Apple and absurdist comedian Eric Andre received write-in votes in the 14th Congressional District. They say music and comedy can unite people, and maybe that’s what we need from our elected officials. 

Senate District 59 (Kristen Gonzalez) 

– Anthony Weiner

– Mickey Mouse 

There may be no greater snub than being passed over in favor of an animated mouse, except perhaps being passed over in favor of controversy factory and New York Post headline darling Anthony Weiner. 

Assembly District 37 (Claire Valdez) 

– Homer Simpson

– Mickey Mouse 

Assembly District 37 was feeling the love for animated characters during the primary, as Mickey Mouse and Homer Simpson both received write-ins. This is the second district with a vote for Mickey on this list, and dare we say the beginnings of a political base.

Assembly District 69 (Micah Lasher) 

– Errol Louis

– Leon Thomas

Errol Louis is the beloved political anchor of Spectrum News NY1 (and my professor, full disclosure), making him the least ridiculous write-in on this list, but this is balanced out by the write-in of Nickelodeon star Leon Thomas. Thomas is the musician and actor most well known for his role as Andre in the children’s TV show Victorious. 

Assembly District 71 (Al Taylor) 

– Cynthia Nixon

– John Wick

Cynthia Nixon received a write-in vote in Assembly District 71, and we choose to believe it was because of her role in Sex and the City rather than her 2018 gubernatorial run against Andrew Cuomo. John Wick also received a write-in, but we’re not sure how effective the super hit man would be in office. 

Assembly District 82 (Michael Benedetto) 

– Hannibal Buress

– John Wayne

Hannibal Buress is most well known for his roles on the Eric Andre show and Broad City, but his next big break could be Assembly member for District 82. John Wayne is dead, but maybe the write-in voter was trying to say we need more cowboy politics. 

Assembly District 41 (Kalman Yeger)

– Bruce Wayne

New York is not the same gloomy and dangerous place as its comic book counterpart Gotham, as much as some would like you to believe, but the voter who wrote in Bruce Wayne might see a greater need for Batman-style justice in this city. 

Assembly District 50 (Emily Gallagher) 

– Vaperboy Vince

We have absolutely no idea who Vaperboy Vince is, but we imagine this is a tribute to perennial candidate and performance artist Paperboy Prince. A deep cut!

Assembly District 52 (Jo Anne Simon) 

– Edward Snowden

– Thomas Jefferson

Edward Snowden, the federally deemed traitor, and Thomas Jefferson, the revered founding father, make quite the pair of write-ins. All things considered, being dead for centuries included, Jefferson would probably have a greater chance of taking office. 

Assembly District 34 (Jessica Gonzáles-Rojas) 

– Mickey Mouse

This is the third district on this list which received a write-in vote for Mickey Mouse. The Mouse certainly has a range of support geographically, and at this point we’re considering him for a Power List.