BACKGROUND
Williams, 55, of Hempstead, is a registered Democrat running on the Democratic Party line in the general election.
She is a tenured professor of English at Nassau Community College. She holds a B.A. in English from Johnson C. Smith University, an M.A. in English from Howard University, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Boston University, and a PhD in English from City University of New York Graduate Center.
Williams is a trustee of the Board of Education of the Hempstead School Board, recording secretary and board member of the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce and is on the board of the Hempstead Community Land Trust.

Joylette E. Williams and Town Clerk, Town of Hempstead

Joylette E. Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Johnson C. Smith University, a Master of Arts in English from Howard University, a master's degree in curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, a Master of Arts in higher education administration from Boston University, and a PhD in English from the City University of New York Graduate Center. She is a trustee of the Hempstead School Board's Board of Education, recording secretary and board member of the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of the Hempstead Community Land Trust.

Joylette E. Williams - Newsday

Joylette currently works as a tenured professor of English at Nassau Community College.

O’Connell and Phillips Extend GOP Hold on Clerk and Comptroller Offices
Republicans continued their sweep in county offices as Maureen C. O’Connell (RC) won another term as County Clerk with 56.72% (143,542 votes) over Joylette E. Williams (D), who received 43.24% (109,438 votes).

West Hempstead Election Results

Joylette previously ran unsuccessfully for county clerk.

2026 New York General Election

ISSUES

Williams said that if elected, she would work to improve the efficiency of the Clerk’s Office, including streamlining the process for filing FOIL requests and making it easier to file passport applications and applications for permits and licenses.
She said she also would seek to digitize paper records.
Williams also said she would work to ensure the Clerk’s Office is independent from the supervisor and the town board.

Plans to streamline Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests and applications for passports, permits, and licenses to improve the efficiency of the Clerk’s Office.

Plans to keep the Clerk’s Office independent of the supervisor and town board.

- Plans to streamline Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests and applications for passports, permits, and licenses to improve the efficiency of the Clerk’s Office.
- Plans to digitize paper records.
- Plans to keep the Clerk’s Office independent of the supervisor and town board.