WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with County Board of Elections Commissioner Brian Abram to get a recap of how voting went during the 2020 election and how voters and election workers adjusted to some of the changes that took place due to COVID-19.

WRFA’s Jason Sample gives a recap of the local races for the 2020 election and also interviews several of the winning candidates from Chautauqua County, including Jason Schmidt, Chautauqua County District Attorney-elect; PJ Wendel, Chautauqua County executive; Andy Goodell, NY Assemblyman for the 150th district, and George Borrello, NY Senator for the 57th District.

The Chautauqua County Board of Elections, along with others across the state, will not be holding early voting today so they can prepare for Election Day on Tuesday, when all polling locations in the county will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

County election officials are expected to provide an update on early voting number later Monday. Estimates are that as much as 40% of all votes cast in the county this year will come via early voting or from absentee voting.

Anyone who votes in person on election day is reminded to wear a mask when entering your polling location and also maintain social distancing whenever possible.

Also, it’s also now TOO LATE to submit an Absentee Ballot application for the by mail.  The only remaining option is to submit an Absentee Ballot Application in person (or via agent who appears in person) at the Board of Elections office in Mayville before 9 p.m. Tuesday.

To download an application or learn more information about Election Day 2020, visit www.VoteChautauqua.com.

Andrew Goodell and Christina Cardinale

JAMESTOWN, NY – A 60-minute debates involving the candidates for New York State Assembly 150th District will take place at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts’ Media Arts Studio Thursday night, Oct. 8.

The debate featuring New York State Assembly candidates Andrew Goodell, the Republican incumbent, and Christina Cardinale, the Democratic challenger, will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on local radio along with video streaming online.

Three different media outlets will be collaborating to bring the debates to residents throughout Chautauqua County. Participating media members include Media One Radio Group, WNY News Now, and WRFA Radio – all based in Jamestown.

Jason Sample, WRFA Public Affairs Director, will serve as moderator for all three debates. Questions for the candidates will be provided by participating media members – Terry Frank, Media One News Director;  Justin Gould, WNY News Now Director/Anchor; and Sample. There will also be an opportunity for each candidate to pose a question to one another.

The debate will take place at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, inside the facility’s Media Arts Studio.

Due to COVID-19, there won’t be a live studio audience for the debate. However, it will be broadcast live on WRFA radio (107.9 FM or streaming at WRFALP.com/Streaming) and also a live video stream will be available at WRFA’s Youtube Channel.

In addition, it will also be live streamed by WNY News Now on its Facebook page as well as WNYNewsNow.com/Live. It will also be rebroadcast at 10 a.m. on WJTN Radio (101.3 FM / 1240AM), and also on WRFA at 5 p.m. on Oct. 15 and again at noon on Oct. 18.   Video will also be available for viewing afterward through WNY News Now and the WRFA Youtube Channel.

Funding for the live broadcast and online streaming of the event was provided by the Reg and Betty Lenna Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

OTHER DEBATES ALSO PLANNED

Two other debates will also be held on Thursday, Oct. 15 and feature candidates for the special election of Chautauqua County Executive: Richard Morrisroe (Democratic, Working Families) and Paul “PJ” Wendel (Republican, Conservative, Independence); and the election for Chautauqua County District Attorney: Jason Schmidt (Republican, Conservative) and Patrick Swanson (Democratic, Independence, Working Families). Those debates will take place at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively and will also be broadcast live on WRFA, as well as streaming on WRFA and WNY News Now media platforms.

Originally recorded on Sept. 24, 2020.

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Chautauqua County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner Norman Green, who offers details about the absentee voting process, talks about early voting, and also gives other details about voting during the 2020 General Election.

 Norman Green