|
|
|
Voter turn-out could be strong next week, despite its off-year status.
While there is only one state contest, for Supreme Court Justice, a record number of candidates will appear on ballot lines on Nov. 8. Many hopefuls were spurred on by the endorsements of the major parties or enough signatures on a petition to form new, independent ones.
“We’re expecting a pretty good turnout because there are so many candidates,” said Steuben County Republican Commissioner Vicki Olin. “And there may also be a lot of write-ins, we’ve had a lot of questions about that.”
While many county seats, including district attorney and most legislative posts are uncontested, three vacant seats on the Legislature in the eastern section are likely to draw crowds. Of the six candidates running for three seats, only one has any experience on the county board.
Interim Legislator Chris Quinlan, R-Corning, 51, is facing opposition from Democrat Hilda Lando, 62. The pair is vying for a two-year vacancy left by Phil Palmesano, who left the county board to join the state Assemblythis year. Quinlan was appointed in January to fill Palamesano’s spot until next week’s election determines who will take office at the end of the year.
The other contest in Corning, between Democrat George Welch, Jr., 40, and Independence candidate Joe Ferratella, 61, is for a four-year term left vacant by retiring Legislator Donald Creath, R-Corning. Creath will step down at the end of the year due to Steuben’s term limits.
The third contest is for the seat being vacated by Legislator Bob Nichols, R-Tuscarora, who also steps down at the end of the year, due to term limits. GOP nominee and farmer William Peoples, Jr., of Addison, is facing Addison Village Mayor Raymond K. Walch, 63, who won the Conservative Party nod. The district also includes the Town of Lindley.
Legislators running uncontested next week are: Randy Weaver, D-Hornell; Robin K. Lattimer, R-Bath; Lawrence P. Crossett, R-Bath, Patrick McAllister, R-Wayland; Brian Schu, R-Hornellsville; Joseph Hauryski, R-Campbell; Scott VanEtten, R-Caton.
Town races will take up a record 309 ballot lines next week, in large part due to the 34 independent parties formed by candidates who secured 10 percent of eligible voters’ signatures.
Voters in 30 towns across the county will decide contests, ranging from a tight battle in Jasper for Highway Supervisor, to nearly every open seat in the towns of Fremont, Prattsburgh, Pulteney, Urbana and Wayne.
In addition to the in-person balloting, county officials have sent out 1,358 absentee ballots, and received 733 back so far, Olin said.
Absentee ballots and write-ins can be the deciding factor in close elections, with the most recent example in Jasper, where the final, official Sept. 13 Primary tally gave trailing Highway Superintendent candidate Terrence Brewer the lead.
The likelihood of close elections between many candidates means a good voter turnout is essential, she said. “They shouldn’t sit at home, thinking their candidate a shoo-in,” she said. “It probably won’t be.”
Olin said people writing in a name should be sure their candidate isn’t named anywhere else on the ballot. If John Smith is on the ballot as a member of a party, say, The ABC Party, and also is written in the vote is illegal, Olin said.
The Nov. 8 election will mark the third time voters have used the new machines during the General Election. While the board of elections is finding ways to improve efficiency at the polls, Olin said voters themselves can help matters, especially respecting others’ privacy.
“And they should be patient,” she said. “That always helps.”
A list of candidates running in the Bath area may be found on page 4.
Voter turn-out could be strong next week, despite its off-year status.
While there is only one state contest, for Supreme Court Justice, a record number of candidates will appear on ballot lines on Nov. 8. Many hopefuls were spurred on by the endorsements of the major parties or enough signatures on a petition to form new, independent ones.
“We’re expecting a pretty good turnout because there are so many candidates,” said Steuben County Republican Commissioner Vicki Olin. “And there may also be a lot of write-ins, we’ve had a lot of questions about that.”
While many county seats, including district attorney and most legislative posts are uncontested, three vacant seats on the Legislature in the eastern section are likely to draw crowds. Of the six candidates running for three seats, only one has any experience on the county board.
Interim Legislator Chris Quinlan, R-Corning, 51, is facing opposition from Democrat Hilda Lando, 62. The pair is vying for a two-year vacancy left by Phil Palmesano, who left the county board to join the state Assemblythis year. Quinlan was appointed in January to fill Palamesano’s spot until next week’s election determines who will take office at the end of the year.
The other contest in Corning, between Democrat George Welch, Jr., 40, and Independence candidate Joe Ferratella, 61, is for a four-year term left vacant by retiring Legislator Donald Creath, R-Corning. Creath will step down at the end of the year due to Steuben’s term limits.
The third contest is for the seat being vacated by Legislator Bob Nichols, R-Tuscarora, who also steps down at the end of the year, due to term limits. GOP nominee and farmer William Peoples, Jr., of Addison, is facing Addison Village Mayor Raymond K. Walch, 63, who won the Conservative Party nod. The district also includes the Town of Lindley.
Legislators running uncontested next week are: Randy Weaver, D-Hornell; Robin K. Lattimer, R-Bath; Lawrence P. Crossett, R-Bath, Patrick McAllister, R-Wayland; Brian Schu, R-Hornellsville; Joseph Hauryski, R-Campbell; Scott VanEtten, R-Caton.
Town races will take up a record 309 ballot lines next week, in large part due to the 34 independent parties formed by candidates who secured 10 percent of eligible voters’ signatures.
Voters in 30 towns across the county will decide contests, ranging from a tight battle in Jasper for Highway Supervisor, to nearly every open seat in the towns of Fremont, Prattsburgh, Pulteney, Urbana and Wayne.
In addition to the in-person balloting, county officials have sent out 1,358 absentee ballots, and received 733 back so far, Olin said.
Absentee ballots and write-ins can be the deciding factor in close elections, with the most recent example in Jasper, where the final, official Sept. 13 Primary tally gave trailing Highway Superintendent candidate Terrence Brewer the lead.
The likelihood of close elections between many candidates means a good voter turnout is essential, she said. “They shouldn’t sit at home, thinking their candidate a shoo-in,” she said. “It probably won’t be.”
Olin said people writing in a name should be sure their candidate isn’t named anywhere else on the ballot. If John Smith is on the ballot as a member of a party, say, The ABC Party, and also is written in the vote is illegal, Olin said.
The Nov. 8 election will mark the third time voters have used the new machines during the General Election. While the board of elections is finding ways to improve efficiency at the polls, Olin said voters themselves can help matters, especially respecting others’ privacy.
“And they should be patient,” she said. “That always helps.”
A list of candidates running in the Bath area may be found on page 4.
