SARATOGA COUNTY RESIDENTS VOTE
Voters choose future representatives
SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. >> Voters in the Capital Region and around the country made their way out to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots determining their future representation in government.
In New York state, residents were deciding on a governor. The choices were incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat seeking a third term, Republican candidate Marc Molinaro, Independent candidate Stephanie Miner, Libertarian Party candidate Larry Sharp and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.
Cuomo’s lead over Molinaro, the Dutchess County Executive, narrowed from 22 points last month to 13 points this month, according to a Siena College Research Institute poll of likely New York state voters released Sunday. Minor party candidates are supported by seven percent of voters, with seven percent still undecided, the poll said.
“Days before voters go to the polls, Molinaro has narrowed Cuomo’s lead. Republicans are ‘coming home’ to support their nominee much stronger than last month, although Cuomo continues to do better with Democrats than Molinaro does with Republicans,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg, in the release. “Cuomo’s
huge lead in New York City more than cushions his narrow three-point lead in the downstate suburbs, and upstate, where Molinaro leads by 10 points.”
Voters are poised to give Cuomo a third term, Greenberg predicted in the release. “The question appears to be by what margin? Will Democrats and New York City voters turnout in bigger numbers than they have in recent midterms? If so, Cuomo has the chance to run up the score. If not, or if Republican enthusiasm matches increased Democratic enthusiasm – particularly in upstate and the suburbs where there are hotly contested House and State Senate races – then the final results will likely look similar to four years ago,” he said.
Statewide, people also voted for New York State Comptroller and Attorney General. Leading in the Siena polls were incumbent Thomas DiNapoli (D) over candidate Jonathan Trichter (R) for comptroller and candidate Letitia A. James (D) over candidate Keith Wofford (R), in the only statewide race with no incumbent.
For U.S. Senate, New York voters were choosing between incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand (D) or Chele Farley (R). Leading up to Election Day, Gillibrand’s lead over Farley decreased a little, but she was still comfortably ahead, the Siena report said.
New York’s 21st Congressional District also had a ballot of all women, with candidates Tedra Cobb (D) or Lynn Kahn (G) and incumbent Elise Stefanik (R).
In District 20, incumbent Paul Tonko (D) was challenged by Joe Vitollo (R).
For State Senate, area residents were voting for incumbent James Tedisco (R) or challenger Michelle Ostrelich (D) in District 49. In District 43, where Kathy Marchione (R) is retiring the race was between Daphne Jordan (R) or Aaron Gladd (D).
To represent in the Assembly, voters were deciding between incumbent Carrie Woerner (D) or Morgan Zegers (R) for District 113, and incumbent Jacob Ashby (R) or Tistrya Houghtling (D) in District 107. Assemblymembers John T. McDonald III (D) in District 108 and Mary Beth Walsh (R) in District 112 faced no major party opposition in this election.
Of Saratoga County’s total 153,217 voters, 42,142 are registered Democrats, 60,117 Republicans and 37,564 are not registered with a party.
Just two Saratoga County positions were on Tuesday’s ballot and Republican candidates for both seats, District Attorney Karen Heggen and Treasurer Andrew Jarosh, were running unopposed.
Residents in the city of Saratoga Springs were again voting on proposed amendments to the Saratoga Springs City Charter. A positive vote two ballot questions would result in more than a halfdozen changes in city government’s organization and structure, including one that could provide for two additional City Council members whose authority would be legislative only. In 2017, by a 10-vote margin, voters approved keeping the commission form of government.
In other areas of the county, town residents were voting on some local races and potential changes too, such as a town council race in Charlton, who will hold the town justice position in Greenfield and a proposed $4.7 million budget for the Crandall Public Library in Moreau.