Palo Alto Teachers Union Advocates Bullet Voting Strategy
The union is urging supporters to vote for only one school board candidate to boost the chances of classroom aide Linda Henigin.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Administration
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The Palo Alto teachers union is encouraging local voters to utilize a bullet voting strategy in the upcoming school board race. This method involves casting a vote for only one candidate, Linda Henigin, while leaving the second available board seat blank.
Why it matters
By restricting votes to a single candidate, the union hopes to prevent competitor votes from surpassing Henigin. This strategic move aims to consolidate support for their endorsed candidate in a contest featuring two open board seats.
There are two open seats on the Palo Alto school board up for grabs. Voters are being encouraged to leave one spot blank on their ballots to prioritize their support for classroom aide Linda Henigin.
The players
Linda Henigin
She is a classroom aide and the official candidate endorsed by the Palo Alto teachers union.
Ken Dauber
He is a former school board election participant who previously tested the efficacy of the bullet voting strategy.
Avery Wang
He is one of the candidates running against the union-endorsed choice for a seat on the board.
John Craig
He is competing for one of the two open seats on the Palo Alto school board.
The details
The strategy requires voters to skip the second ballot selection, ensuring that no votes are cast for other candidates like Avery Wang or John Craig. Union leadership distributed this guidance via a newsletter, aiming to maximize Henigin's competitive edge.
Timeline
Friday, October 9, 2026: The union president distributed a newsletter detailing the voting strategy.
2012: Ken Dauber utilized the bullet voting strategy during a school board election.
2014: Ken Dauber won a school board election.
Culture Shift
The use of bullet voting reflects tactical shifts in local school board races where interest groups seek to maximize influence. This approach mirrors the controversial 2012 school board election where Ken Dauber attempted a similar strategy.
Residents casting ballots for the two open board seats face a strategic choice between following union guidance or selecting two separate candidates. This decision directly influences the concentration of support for individual contenders like Linda Henigin.
The takeaway
Bullet voting is a tactical choice that can consolidate support for a single candidate but potentially reduces a voter's influence over the second open seat. Voters should weigh whether a specific endorsement aligns with their priorities for the entire school board.
Further reading
Learn more about local school governance and policy at Palo Alto Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Palo Alto Daily Post.
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