VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Early voting preparations are underway in Syracuse’s mayoral race
Maria Wainscott: I’m Maria Wainscott, coming up on NCC News. What you need to know about early voting here in Syracuse and how to make sure your voice is heard ahead of the mayoral election.
Ryan Cuddy: We are six months away from the election that will determine the next mayor of Syracuse. I’m Ryan Cuddy.
Kye’l Torain: And I’m Kye’l Torain, but before we get to November, a three-way Democratic primary election is about a week away. With early voting for Syracuse mayoral primary set to begin next week, the Onondaga County Board of Elections is working around the clock to prepare.
Cuddy: NCC News’ Maria Wainscott joins us live from the board of elections with more on what voters can expect and why officials say this election still matters, even if only a fraction of residents can cast a ballot.
Wainscott: Inside the Onondaga County Board of Elections, the countdown to early voting is well underway, with three Democratic candidates facing off in the June 24 primary for Syracuse mayor, officials are preparing to ensure every eligible voter has their chance.
Dustin Czarny: So right now, we’re pre-letting all of our machines, including our early voting machines. Pre-let is our logic and accuracy testing, we have bipartisan teams going back and hand programming each machine, testing them to be made to make sure that they’re ready.
Wainscott: While Syracuse has over 300,000 residents, only about 55,000 are eligible to vote in this closed primary. That’s because New York system only allows registered Democrats to cast a ballot in the Democratic primary, and the Republican candidate, Thomas Babilon is running unopposed. Still. Czarny says early voting provides flexibility and real influence.
Czarny: Voting is how you communicate your needs to government, and this round of primary voting is again, maybe the last chance for a person to decide, or the first chance for a person to decide who their leaders are going to be in the in the upcoming year, if you’re not communicating your needs to government, they’re not going to take care of you, and voting is the best way to do so.
Wainscott: Early voting starts June 14 and ends on June 22 voters can cast ballots at any of the county’s polling sites or request a vote by mail ballot online. If you’re a first time voter, don’t forget to bring your ID with you for more information on polling sites, hours and how to request a ballot of your own head to ongov.net.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Early voting is just around the corner, and while a competitive Democratic primary for Syracuse mayor is on the horizon, only a limited number of residents will be able to participate.
“Only about 55,000 of city residents are actually eligible to vote,” said Dustin Czarny, Democratic commissioner for the Onondaga County Board of Elections. “New York is a closed primary state, so only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary.”
The Board of Elections is preparing for the start of early voting on Saturday, June 14. Inside the office, bipartisan teams are testing machines, processing vote-by-mail ballots and shipping materials to polling sites.
“So right now, we’re pre-letting all of our machines, including our early voting machines,” Czarny said. “Pre-let is our logic and accuracy testing. We have bipartisan teams going back and hand programming each machine, testing them to make sure that they’re ready.”
Czarny said the office has also been in contact with polling sites and expects all early voting locations to open on time at 9 a.m. June 14.
Syracuse’s next mayor will be decided in November, but first, three Democratic candidates — Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, Common Councilor Pat Hogan and Councilor-at-Large Chol Majok — are competing for the nomination on June 24.
Republican candidate Thomas Babilon is running unopposed and will appear on the general election ballot in November alongside independent candidates Tim Rudd and Alfonso Davis.
This means the primary may be the deciding moment for many voters in a heavily Democratic city.
“Voting is how you communicate your needs to government,” Czarny said. “This round of primary voting is again, maybe the last chance for a person to decide — or the first chance — for a person to decide who their leaders are going to be.”
Primary turnout is usually low, but Czarny emphasized the importance of early voting and its flexibility for people who may be away or busy on primary day.
“These are people who are generally very motivated to vote and want to vote,” he said. “And of course, there’s not many people who are eligible to vote … they may be busy on the 24th — it’s the end of the school year. People may be planning vacations, that kind of stuff.”
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot and ensure timely delivery is also June 14.
“Vote by mail is also June 14 — the last day to be guaranteed that we will mail you out a ballot and you will receive it in time to put it back in the mail by Election Day, on June 24. It has to be postmarked on Election Day,” Czarny said.
Ballots can be requested after June 14, but the Board of Elections cannot guarantee voters will receive them in time to return them.
First-time voters should also come prepared.
“If you’re a first-time register, first-time voter, you may be required to show ID at the polls,” Czarny said. “So bring ID with you. It’s the only time we request ID. And it doesn’t have to be your strict photo ID, like a driver’s license … you can bring in several different forms of ID.”
Early voting runs from June 14, through June 22. Primary day is Tuesday, June 24. Voters can find polling sites, hours and information about vote-by-mail ballots at ongov.net.
“We offer it as a service,” Czarny said. “So we have three modes of voting — early vote, vote by mail and Election Day. Any mode that is good for you is what’s good for us.”