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Recount Update

With today’s completion of the recount, the results of the March 3 Primary for Forsyth County Board of Education At-Large are now final.

 

While the outcome did not change, I want to thank the Forsyth County Board of Elections for their careful and thorough work to ensure every vote was counted accurately.

 

Requesting a recount was never about challenging the integrity of the election—it was about honoring the democratic process and ensuring confidence in an extremely close race decided by a margin of .5%.

 

This election also brings attention to an important aspect of North Carolina election law. In multi-seat races, candidates are treated as part of a single contest rather than as individual races. Under current law, candidates in a three-seat race may advance with approximately 10 percent of the vote. Does this structure best serve voters when races are extremely close, or should adjustments be made in the law? It is worth considering.

 

I am proud of the campaign we ran—grounded in experience, forward-looking leadership, and a deep commitment to students, families, and staff. I am deeply grateful to every voter who supported me and to the volunteers who gave their time.

 

I congratulate the candidates advancing to the general election and wish them well. I remain committed to working alongside others in our community to move our school system forward - for every school, every family, every community.

 

This is not the end of the work. I will continue to advocate and bring to the community my ideas on policy, governance, and how every school can be a thriving school. The district’s children, families, and staff deserve nothing less.

 

Thank you for your trust, your support, and your belief in what we, as a community, can build together.

 

March 18, 2026

What North Carolina Election Law Provides for Candidates in Extremely Close Races

During my Campaign, I spoke to the thoroughness with which I approach issues that are before me. Understanding NC election law is an important part of being a candidate.

Election Day results are unofficial. The County canvass occurs about 10 days after the election. Forsyth County’s canvass was March 13. It is only after a canvass is complete can a candidate in a close race exercise options.


Pursuant to G.S. 163-182.7, and in accordance with 08 NCAC 09.0107, I respectfully requested a recount to the Forsyth County Board of Elections of the votes cast in the March 3, 2026, Primary election for Forsyth County Board of Education At-Large.

This request is made in accordance with the procedures provided by law and is not intended to challenge the integrity of the election process, but rather to ensure that the final count is correct.

Under North Carolina law, candidates can request a recount when the margin between candidates is 1% or less. At the close of the County canvass, the margin between the third-place candidate, who currently holds the final winning seat, and myself, the fourth place candidate, is .5% - one-half of 1%. This margin meets the legal threshold for a mandatory recount when requested.

The margin between myself and the second place candidate also is less than 1%. However, because this is a multi-seat contest, I understand that the recount focuses on the narrow margin between the third place candidate and the next candidate in the results.

This race also highlights how North Carolina law treats multi-seat elections as a single contest, even though voters are choosing among individual candidates. Close elections like this one suggest it is worth examining the law for multi-seat elections.

I am deeply grateful to the nearly 11,000 voters (10,998 as of now) who supported my campaign. I also have great respect for the Forsyth County Board of Elections and for the poll workers who worked to administer this election.


I remain deeply committed to the students, families, and staff of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and to seeking solutions that move the school district forward.

Thank you again for your support.

Headshots Linda-016-Edit_Original_edited

"Throughout my career, I have focused on one central question: What makes a school community thrive, and how do we ensure every school reaches that level?"

Priorities for Restoring Trust and
Moving Forward 
Strong Fiscal Policy and Oversight​​

Safe, Responsive, High-Achieving School Communities​
 
Thorough Superintendent Evaluation Process

Every School. Every Family. Every Community.

WHY I AM RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD

Putting My Experience to Work

I am a lifelong educator who believes every student in the WSFC school system deserves access to a high-quality education. For over 20 years, I have worked inside classrooms and alongside teachers and families, gaining firsthand experience with the challenges facing our schools. Through my work in both high-performing and Title I schools in the WSFC school system, and with the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School summer literacy and enrichment model, I have a unique perspective on the strengths and needs in our school system. ​Throughout my career, I have focused on one central question: What makes a school community thrive, and how do we ensure every school reaches that level? I am not a bandwagon person, but when I learn about a promising approach, I listen, take time to understand and learn, then act. That's how I became the Executive Director of Old Town Community Freedom School. 

From that experience,  I’ve seen firsthand how affirming and responsive literacy instruction, access to resources, mentorship, parent engagement, and enrichment opportunities shape student success and well-being.​ I'm running for School Board because our community deserves leadership that listens, takes time to learn and understand, then acts.​

 

School boards don't micromanage. They set direction through policy, and should have at the forefront a relentless quest for student success and student and teacher well-being. If that is not happening in all of our schools, I will be a leader who asks the hard questions, and will not stop until goals are met. What makes for a thriving school community? Together we can work to ensure every school reaches that level. The well-being of our entire community depends on it.​

RESOURCES

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Dr. Linda Winikoff

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