County lawmakers opted not to act on the recommendation from the County Democratic Committee’s Executive Committee to reappoint Norman Green as election commission. As a result, the full County Democratic Committee will have to meet and find a new recommendation to bring before the legislature.

In the meantime, Green will remain at his post until a new recommendation comes forward and is acted on by the legislature.

In October, the county democratic committee recommended Assistant Democratic Election Commission Luz Torres be appointed to replace the Green. However, the legislature pulled that recommendation from its October agenda after learning some members of the Democratic Party felt not all committee members were able to participate in the

April 21, 2020- Buffalo, NY- Governor Andrew Cuomo delivers his daily press briefing on COVID-19, Coronavirus in Buffalo (Darren McGee- Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)

ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law changes to state election law that his office says will make it easier for New Yorkers to vote and be counted in November.

The three-part package includes new measures allowing absentee ballot applications to be submitted to the Board of Elections immediately, expanding the protections to allow a voter to get an absentee ballot due to risk or fear of illness – including COVID-19, and ensuring all absentee ballots postmarked on or before Election Day or received by the Board of Elections without a postmark on the day after the Election will be counted. Ballots with a postmark demonstrating that they were mailed on or before Election Day will be counted if received by November 10.

In a statement, the governor said the actions were necessary to combat what he said were recent attacks on the Postal Service at the national level.

“The federal administration has ordered an unprecedented attack on the U.S. Postal Service and with COVID-19 threatening our ability to have safe, in-person voting, these measures are critical to ensuring a successful and fair election at one of the most important moments in our nation’s history,” Governor Cuomo said. “These actions will further break down barriers to democracy and will make it easier for all New Yorkers to exercise their right to vote this November.”

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Buffalo) also approved the changes.

“Voting access is one of the core foundations of our democracy. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure that no New Yorkers feel pressured to put their health and well-being at risk to exercise their Constitutional right to vote. I thank the bill sponsors for advancing this legislation, and my Senate Democratic Majority colleagues for their ongoing commitment to empower New York voters and Governor Cuomo for signing these bills,” Stewart-Cousins said.

George Borrello

Local Senator George Borrello (R-Hanover) had spoken out against the changes earlier this week. In a media release sent out on Aug. 18, Borrello said that recent problems during the June primaries highlight the need for caution in making any permanent adjustments to the state election laws, as it pertains to absentee and mail-in voting.

“Last week, we heard directly from state, county and city elections commissioners that the directives from the Executive pertaining to the primary election fueled a massive expansion of absentee voting that overwhelmed the capacity of the system,” said Borrello. “Particularly in New York City, the results were disastrous, ranging from absentee ballots delivered to voters after Election Day, to weeks-long delays in counting votes and determining winners, to the invalidation of 23 percent of the ballots, disenfranchising tens of thousands of voters.”

“As we look ahead to the general election on November 3rd and the exponentially higher turnout of presidential election years, there is great concern that the voting process in New York could be even more chaotic than the primary if there is an attempt to enact eleventh-hour changes to the process,” Borrello added. “All of the election professionals that testified, without exception, stated that there simply isn’t enough time to successfully implement broad directives such as mailing all eligible voters absentee ballot applications. Even if the state had extra funds to accompany any such initiatives – which it doesn’t – our election infrastructure can’t be changed before November 3rd.”

Relating to Absentee Ballot Requests Due to Risk of Illness (S.8015-D/A.10833), the legislation gives voters the right to request an absentee ballot due to risk of illness to themselves or others.

Relating to Absentee Ballot Requests (S.8783A/A.10807), the legislation authorizes voters to request absentee ballots immediately, 30 days before Election Day, adding almost 7 weeks to the amount of time a voter has to vote by absentee ballot. This legislation eliminates an outdated statutory provision that prevents voters from requesting absentee ballots until 30 days before Election Day. The legislation gives voters reassurance that they will receive and can cast their vote in a timely manner.

Relating to Ballots Postmarked on Day of Election (S.8799A/A.10808-A), the legislation allows ballots to be postmarked on the day of the election, November 3. The legislation also amends election law to allow the Board of Elections to count all absentee ballots that have a time stamp showing it was delivered to the Board of Elections the day after the election but does not have a dated postmark. The Board of Elections shall deem those ballots mailed in a timely fashion.

All Democrats and Libertarians in the county, along with Busti Republicans, will vote for selected offices, including the Democratic Presidential Primary.

The primary elections are for 11 Democratic candidates who qualified for the New York statewide vote and some Democratic national convention delegate slates pledged to the candidates; a Busti Town Council Republican primary; and a countywide Libertarian race within the western New York 8th Judicial District.

Last month the Chautauqua County Board of Elections encouraged voters to vote by mail as a health precaution against the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. As a result, the board of elections sent out 26,469 absentee ballot applications to county Democrats, 211 applications to Libertarians and 2,316 applications to Busti Republicans so voters could skip traveling to the polls for the primary elections.

On-location voting for primary day will be available 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all of the county poll sites.

For those who wanted to vote early but in person, early voting has also been underway since June 13 at the Mayville board of elections office. The Nov. 3 General Election will find expanded early voting available at the County Fair Grounds, Dunkirk and the Chautauqua Mall, Lakewood – as well as in Mayville.

All voters will be required to wear a protective mask and to observe social distancing, so as to protect poll workers and other voters. Complimentary facemasks will be given to voters who need one.

Anyone with a primary still wishing to vote by mail may call the Board of Elections at 716-753-4552 .

Voters wishing to view early voting and primary day results should visit votechautauqua.com  starting at 9 p.m. June 23.  However, since the majority of votes cast will be through the mail, absentees will not be added to the totals until the afternoon of June 30.

Locally there are plenty of contested races on the ballot that will likely result in a better-than-average voters turnout for a local election year.

Highlighting the election this year is the race to fill the vacant 57th district state senate seat that opened up after former long-time Senator Cathy Young resigned from her post in March in order to take a job with Cornell University. Running to fill the remaining year of the Senate term is Republican and current Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello and Democrat and recent Cornell graduate Austin Morgan of Cattaraugus county.

• LISTEN: LOWV MEET THE SENATE CANDIDATES FORUM

In Jamestown three individuals are running to fill the open mayoral seat after current mayor Sam Teresi announced in February he would not be seeking a sixth term in office. Candidates in this year’s mayoral race Libertarian and Current City Councilman Andrew Liuzzo, Democrat and local attorney Eddie Sundquist, and Republican and current county legislator David Wilfong.

• WATCH: WRFA, WJTN, WNY NEWS NOW MAYORAL DEBATE

In addition to the mayor’s race, there’s also contested races for the Jamestown City Council’s three at large seats as well as for Wards 1, 4, and 5. Candidates include:

CITY COUNCIL WARD 1
– Brent Sheldon (R, C, I)
– Tim Smeal (D, WF, Libertarian)
CITY COUNCIL WARD 4
– Marie Carrubba (D, I, WF)
– Brittnay Spry (R, C, Libertarian)
CITY COUNCIL WARD 5
– Maria Jones (D)
– Grant Olson (R)
CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE (3 Seats)
– Kimberly Ecklund (R, C, I)
– Tamu Graham-Reinhardt (D, I, WF)
– Raven Mason Thompson (Libertarian)
– Gregory Rabb (D, I, WF)
– Jeffrey Russell (R, C)
– Taylor Scott (D, WF)

• WATCH/LISTEN: WRFA MEET THE COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM

Other races of interest include the race for Busti Town Supervisor, where Republican Jesse Robbins is being challenged by Democrat Rudy Mueller. Over in the Chautauqua County Legislature, only 7 of the panel’s 19 seats feature contested races.

EARLY VOTING YIELDS 5% VOTER TURNOUT IN COUNTY

According to the Chautauqua county Board of Elections, there is a total of 76,762 active registered voters in the county this year. Early voting was underway from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3 and according to election officials, nearly 5% of all active voters cast ballots during that name. That made Chautauqua county the third highest per-capita early voting county in the state, with only Ulster and Columbia counties seeing a higher percentage.

Commissioners Norm Green and Brian Abram are attributing the heavy turnout to the mayors races in Jamestown, Dunkirk and Fredonia, the town supervisors races in Pomfret and Busti, and the special election for New York State Senate.

As for the regular voting hours for on Tuesday, Polls will be open 6 .m. to 9 p.m. All county poll sites will be open.  Any New York State citizen at least age 18 at the date of the General Election who previously registered is eligible to vote.

For more information on where to vote, to view a sample ballot, or to see the results after 9 tonight, visit VoteChautauqua.com.

“As the dust from election night settles, the Chautauqua County Board of Elections has determined that we have four races are too close to call,” reported Norm Green in an email sent out to the media on Wednesday afternoon.

Initially near the end of Election Night, Green had told WRFA that there were no races in Jamestown too close to call, but added on Wednesday that was said “at first blush.”

In the Jamestown City Council at Large race, four candidates are separated by just 100 votes, with 446 absentee ballots issued and 230 returned so far.

The race featured a total of six candidates vying for three seats. On election Night, incumbent Kim Ecklund (R) received 2,298 votes, far above any other candidate.

However, the next two candidates were newcomers Vanessa Weinert (D) and Andrew Liuzzo (R), who were only separated by two votes on election night. Weinert recieved 1,954 votes and Liuzzo getting 1,952 votes. The next highest vote total went to Michael Laurin (R), with 1,863, following by incumbent and current city council president Greg Rabb (D), who received 1854 votes. Robert Whitney (D) finished sixth with 1650.

With only 100 votes separating the no. 2 candidate from the no. 5 candidate – and with there being 446 absentee ballots sent out, election officials feel it is necessary to declare the race “Too Close to Call” and await the opening of all absentee ballots that come in.

However, Green does add that while it’s mathematically possible, it’s also a near impossibility the top 3 candidates will change, except for the possibility of the no. 2 candidate (currently Weinert) and the no. 3 candidate (currently Liuzzo) switching positions.

The three other Chautauqua County races that are too close to call are for the Ellington Town Council, the Hanover Town Justice, and Sherman Village Trustee races.

All absentee ballots will be opened and counted on Monday, Nov. 20.

Results from Election Night for all races in Chautauqua County can be found online at VoteChautauqua.com.

According to the Chautauqua County Board of Elections, 14 candidates submitted petitions to run for the nine city council seats, with six of those candidates vying for the three at-large seats. In addition, three of the six ward seats will also be contested.

Contested races for the nine council  seats include:

At Large – Incumbent and current City Council President Gregory Rabb (D), incumbent Kim Ecklund (R), Michael Laurin (R), Andrew Liuzzo (R), Vanessa Weinert (D), and Robert Whitney (D). Current at large council member George Spitale is not seeking reelection.

Ward 1 – Incumbent Brent Sheldon (R) is facing challenger James Walton (D).

Ward 2 – Incumbent Tony Dolce (R) is facing challenger Joseph Scapelitte (D).

Ward 4 – Incumbent Marie Carrubba (D) is facing challenger Richard Elardo (R).

Incumbents running unopposed include Vicki James (D-Ward 3), Maria Jones (D-Ward 5), and Tom Nelson (D-Ward 6).

There is no mayoral  race for this year, with  the next mayoral election set for 2019.

Board of Election officials say Chautauqua Lake and Silver Creek will be joining six other school districts that will be utilizing the county’s optical scan paper ballot machines during the May 20 vote.

The Board of Elections already provides election services to the school districts of Bemus Point, Cassadaga, Forestville, Jamestown, Panama and Ripley.

The rounded 2014 election service cost is between $275 and $400 for most districts, although Jamestown – due to its size and number of residents – will see a cost of $1300.

Schneiderman is targeting 501-c-4 nonprofit groups, including federally active groups like Americans for Prosperity, which are already regulated by his office if they have substantial operations in the state.

According to a proposed rule change filed Tuesday, the attorney general’s office would expand annual filing requirements to include the amount of money used for elections, and what percentage of an organization’s overall budget it represents. A group spending over $10,000 in a given year on elections for state and local offices or on a state or local ballot issue would have to reveal anyone who gives more than $100. The proposed rule also defines election spending more broadly than recent rules adopted by the State Board of Elections.

Schneiderman’s proposed rules will be published Dec. 26 and are subject to public comment through March. An aid says the changes do not require a vote of the legislature because they fall within the attorney general’s existing regulatory authority.

In the race for County Judge, Democratic County Legislator William Coughlin of Fredonia is challenging incumbent Republican County Judge John Ward, Jr. of Ashville for both the Independence and Conservative Party nominations.

In the race for State Assembly, Republican Assemblyman Andrew Goodell of Ellicott is facing off against former county legislator Rudy Mueller of Lakewood for the Independence Party nomination.

Republicans in the Town of Charlotte will be going to the polls to fill a highway superintendent vacancy for that town.  Mark G. LeBaron will be running against Michael A. Livermore.

There will also be nineteen Conservative Party primaries to choose election district level county committee representation.  There are to be only two committee members from each of the county’s 124 election districts.

The Board of Elections will be opening just one poll site for every town and city for the today’s primaries.  The consolidated list is available at votechautauqua.com. Contact the Board of Elections at 753-4580 for more information.

WEST ELLICOTT – Local authorities are continuing their search of an Ellicott Senior Citizen this morning after he was first reported missing yesterday afternoon. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office says 78 year-old John Kircher was reported missing at noon yesterday from his residence at an assisted living home on 560 Fairmont Avenue. Kircher is describd as a white male, 5’2″ and 120 lbs. with thinning brown and grey hair and beard. He also walks with a limp and has a cane.

He was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and grey winter coat. It is believed Kircher walked out from his home at lunchtime and has not been seen since. He has no money on him, but is likely to hitchhike.

Ellicott Police is asking the public’s assistance if they have seen this individual to call our dispatch center at 661-7232.

CITY MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

SHERMAN – A Jamestown man was charged with sexual misconduct Tuesday after an incident that allegedly occurred in October. Authorities say 58 year old Joseph Valvo was charged with sexual misconduct, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child on Tuesday at the Jamestown barracks in Ellicott. The arrest comes from an incident that allegedly occurred in the early evening on Oct. 19.

According to police, on Oct. 19, troopers responded to a complaint in Sherman where a 15-year-old male victim reported that a white man in a beige Ford pickup truck approached him and asked his assistance in programming his radio. The youth entered the truck and while setting the radio stations, the suspect allegedly inappropriately touched teenager. The youth then got out of the truck and reported the incident to the State Police.

Information to the man’s identity was limited until receiving information from the Ellicott Police Department that their agency handled a very similar investigation in the spring of 2011 involving a 13-year-old male in Celoron, where Valvo was developed as the suspect, but police chose not to press charges due to lack of evidence.

After conducting its own investigation, Valvo was found to be the suspect involving the 15-year-old victim and was taken into custody. He will appear in Sherman Town Court at a later date.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS TO DETERMINE CO. LEGISLATURE’S DISTRICT 14 RACE

MAYVILLE – It appears the balance of power in the Chautauqua County Legislature will once again come down to the county of absentee ballots. According to the county’s election website votechautauqua.com, the candidates in Legislative District 14 stand only 20 votes apart. Democratic candidate Timothy Hoyer is currently in the lead with a total of 210 votes. Republican candidate Michael Haddad has a total of 190 votes.

According to an article today in the Jameestown Post-Journal, 42 of the 67 absentee ballots issued for the district have so far been returned. Of the 42 absentee ballots returned to the county, a total of 26 were from registered Republicans and a total of 16 were from registered Democrats. To count in the election, absentee ballots have to have been postmarked by Monday, Nov. 7. The deadline for ballots arriving is Nov. 15 for non-military ballots and Nov. 21 for military ballots – meaning the other 25 ballots in District 14 still have time to arrive. The Board of Elections’ counting of ballots will start at 1 p.m. Nov. 21.

AUDIT AND CONTROL COMMITTEE TO ACT ON RESOLUTION INVOLVING COUNTY HOME

The County Legislature’s Audit and Control Committee is meeting this morning in Mayville with several items on its agenda. Most notebably is a resolution supporting the selection of Marcus & Millichap for the Marketing of the Potential Sale, Lease, or other Disposition of the Chautauqua County Home in Dunkirk. The home has been the subject of much debate in recent months, particularly at the county legislature voting sessions, where members of the CSEA have turned out to voice their opposition to selling the home.

This morning’s committee meeting begins at 8:35 a.m. in Room 331 of the Gerace Office Building.

HIGGINS TO MEET WITH AREA SENIORS THIS MORNING, BUSINESS LEADERS THIS AFTERNOON

DUNKIRK – Congressman Brian Higgins will be in Dunkirk this morning for Breakfast With Veterans and Seniors. Later in the day, he’sll also attend a luncheon with local business leaders. Higgins will attend the breakfast at the Dunkirk Senior Center at 45 Franklin Street beginning at 9 a.m. Several organizations will be on hand, including Meals Wheels, The Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, Chautauqua County Veteran Service Agency, The Dunkirk VA Outpatient Clinic, CARTS and the Office of the Aging – among many others.

Later in the day, Congressman Higgins will provide an update on activities in Washington, DC and Western New York followed by a question and answer period with the chamber of commerce and other local business leaders. That event will take place at noon in the Shorewood Country Club – 4958 West Lake Road, Dunkirk.

FREE RABIES CLINIC TODAY IN MAYVILLE

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Department of Health announces that the final free rabies vaccination clinic of 2011 will be held today from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Town of Chautauqua Highway Building on Patterson Street in Mayville.

The clinic is sponsored by the Health Department and Dr. Joseph Powell is the attending veterinarian. For more information, go online to myhealthycounty.com or call 1-866-604-6789.

WCA AUXILIARY TO HOST HOLIDAY SALE TODAY AND TOMORROW

JAMESTOWN – The WCA Hospital Auxiliary will host their popular annual Holiday Sale on today  from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the WCA Hospital Auditorium, at 207 Foote Avenue, Jamestown, New York. Shoppers support the WCA Hospital Auxiliary’s pledge to support WCA’s Sharing the Gift of Health capital campaign for the hospital’s new Emergency Department. The public is welcome. Parking is available in the visitor parking lot.