U.S.WEIRD NEWS
Santa Barbara principal on leave over student election rigging claims
Principal Arielle Curry allegedly manipulated the vote to ensure her daughter's victory in an elementary school election; the district has not announced further disciplinary action.
On air: Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance on The Weekend ShiftPublished
The Short: the best minute of this segment, cut vertical for your thumb. More about this Short
At a glance
- First reported by New York Post: “Santa Barbara principal rigged student election so daughter won”.
- Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 2:08 PM ET on The Weekend Shift, by Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAs promised, here is who really won a school election.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA Santa Barbara elementary principal, Arielle Curry, is on administrative leave over allegations that she rigged a student vote so her own daughter would win.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThe New York Post calls it a shocking abuse of power, and I'd say the ballot box had one job.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNothing is proven, and Ms. Curry has not been convicted of anything.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorBut the allegation is that the person who ran the election also had a candidate in it.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo she was the referee, the scoreboard and the mom in the stands.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorI have observed elections in countries where the ruling family counted the votes. At least those families had the decency to be embarrassed.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentElementary school. The campaign promises were probably extra recess and a pizza Friday.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAnd a second recount of the glue sticks. The district has not said what happens next, only that she is off the job.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentImagine losing to the principal's kid.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorImagine the concession speech. Eight years old, and already learning how institutions work.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentChat, rate the worst thing you did to win a school election, one to ten. I'll start: I bribed with fun-size candy.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThat is a confession, Kenji, and I am required to note it. Brock, is there any weather that can wash this story away?
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From the archive: everything BBN aired on Sunday, October 11, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months
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