Update: See all Election Day results from Tompkins County here.
Original story:
ITHACA, N.Y.—It is Decision Day in Tompkins County once again. Though this is an off-year for elections, there are still plenty of races going on throughout the county, including potentially sweeping changes on Ithaca’s Common Council, a State Supreme Court race and council elections in nine towns.
For all you need to know from prior coverage, where and when to go Tuesday, check it all out below.
Where to vote
The Tompkins County Board of Elections maintains a page where voters can look up if they are eligible and where they should vote, according to where they live.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at any eligible location, listed above.
The races
The Ithaca Voice has teamed with WRFI to bring interviews in every contested race for Common Council. Listen to those interviews, or read through the transcripts, at the following links:
Tehcnically, there is an additional contested race in the City of Ithaca, between Margaret Fabrizio, the Democratic nominee, and Michelle Song, listed as a Working Families Party candidate, for the four-year term representing the Fifth Ward. However, while the Democratic primary was razor-close and Song remains on the ballot, there have been no indications she is actively seeking the office or would serve. The Ithaca Voice reported more details yesterday on Song’s unusual situation.
If you are uncertain if there is an election in your municipality Tuesday, you can check with the Board of Elections for specifics here at the Sample Ballots page. There are contests in the City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca, the Town of Groton, the Town of Caroline, the Town of Danby, the Town of Lansing, the Town of Dryden, the Town of Enfield, the Town of Ulysses and the Town of Newfield.
Previous Coverage
Since this is an off-year election, there’s a chance it snuck up on some voters. In addition to the above interviews, here’s our previous coverage of other races to help give some context before you head into the booth.
- The New York State Supreme Court race will be decided between Deirdre Hay and Cheryl Insinga for the Sixth Judicial District seat, which carries a 14-year term. Hay is running as a Democrat, while Insinga is running as a Republican.
- In addition to several Common Council races, Ithaca will have a new mayor. Common Council member Robert Cantelmo, a Democrat and Working Families Party candidate, is facing Republican Janis Kelly to take over the office, which will be the first to co-lead the city along with the incoming city manager.
- The Common Council races will all be ones to watch, as they could serve as an indicator of Ithaca’s current political climate. The Solidarity Slate is making another push for more influence on council, while the group has generated opposition from the center. Cynthia Brock (facing Slate member Kayla Matos) and Jason Houghton (facing Clyde Lederman, who is not a Slate member) are both running on the Ithacans for Progress line after losing the Democratic nominee to their respective opponents.
- Furthermore, in Caroline, the zoning debate that has raged for years is poised for another turn Tuesday. Voters will decide if they want to continue with the same town council as they have had, which has been pursuing zoning implementation, or they could opt for the candidates who have been vocally anti-zoning, running on the Connecting Caroline line. Pro-zoning council members won handily in the Democratic primaries in June. Tonya VanCamp, also a Connecting Caroline candidate, is challenging Town Supervisor Mark Witmer for his position.
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