CHENANGO COUNTY – The general election is fast approaching, on November 3 the citizens of New York State will be asked to cast votes for Governor, Representatives, Senate, and various local offices. Some may have heard this election called a midterm, all that means is that it is a general election occurring halfway through the current president's term. If not already registered to vote, you have until October 24 to submit a Voter Registration Application to be eligible to vote in the upcoming general election.

Now what district am I in?

While all of Chenango County is in the same New York State Congressional District (19), the municipalities that make up the county have different New York State Senate and Assembly Districts.

The county is split between two senate districts, 51 and 53.

The towns in Senate District 51 are Columbus, German, Lincklaen, McDonough, New Berlin, North Norwich, Otselic, Pharsalia, Pitcher, Plymouth, Preston, Sherburne, Smithville, and Smyrna. Senate District 51 also includes Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Part of Broome, and Ulster counties.

The towns in Senate District 53 are Afton, Bainbridge, Coventry, Greene, Guilford, Norwich, and Oxford. District 53 also includes Madison, Oneida, and part of Herkimer counties.

The county is also split between assembly districts 121 and 131.

The towns in Assembly District 121 are German, Lincklaen, McDonough, Otselic, Pharsalia, Pitcher, and Smithville. This district also includes parts of Broome, Delaware, Madsion, and Otsego counties.

The towns in Assembly District 131 are Afton, Bainbridge, Columbus, Coventry, Greene, Guilford, New Berlin, North Norwich, Norwich, Oxford, Plymouth, Preston, Sherburne, and Smyrna. This district also includes parts of Broome, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Ontario, and Seneca counties.

Who's running in my district?

US Congressional District 19's incumbent is Democrat Josh Riley who is nearing the end of his first term in congress after winning in the 2024 general election. His challenger is Republican Peter K. Oberacker. On the ballot you will see Riley listed as both the Democratic and Working Families parties candidate and Oberacker in the Republican and Conservative parties candidate.

The office of NYS Senate District 51 is currently held by the congressional challenger Oberacker. Running for his state senate seat are Democratic and Working Families parties candidate Michele Frazier and Republican and Conservative parties candidate Christopher W. Tague.

The office of NYS Senate District 53 is currently held by Republican Joseph A. Griffo, a position he has held since 2007, running for re-election again this year as the Republican and Conservative parties candidate. His challenger this year is Democratic and Working Families parties candidate Mandi Drake.

The office of Assembly District 121 is held by Republican Joe Angelino who was elected to the state assembly in 2020. Opposing him on the ballot this year is Democratic party candidate Vicki Davis.

The office of Assembly District 131 is currently held by Republican Jeff Gallahan who was elected to state assembly in 2020 and is not running for re-election in the district. On the ballot this year is Democratic party candidate Phillip Fleming and Republican and Conservative parties candidate Mark Benjamin.

So what are the local offices up for election?

Within Chenango County there are several local offices to be filled at the general election.

Chenango County seeks to elect a Treasurer for a four year term. There is only one person running on the ballot Erik Scrivener.

The following towns are seeking to elect Town Supervisors for two year terms: Afton, Bainbridge, Columbus, Coventry, German, Guilford, McDonough, New Berlin, North Norwich, Norwich, Otselic, Oxford, Pharsalia, Pitcher, Plymouth, Preston, Sherburne, Smithville, and Smyrna. (See article in the Evening Sun for details.)

The following towns are seeking to elect Town Clerks for two year terms: Columbus, German, Guilford, McDonough, Norwich, Otselic, Oxford, Pharsalia, Preston, Smithville, and Smyrna.

These towns are seeking to elect Superintendent of Highways for two year terms: Columbus, Coventry, McDonough, Norwich, Otselic, Pharsalia, Plymouth, Preston, Smithville, and Smyrna.

These towns are seeking to elect Council members to fill vacancy for one and two year terms: German, Otselic, and Plymouth.

The following towns are seeking to elect Town Justice for four year terms: German, McDonough, New Berlin, Oxford, Preston, and Smithville.

The Town of Norwich is seeking to elect a Tax Collector for a two year term.

The Town of Sherburne is seeking to elect one Library Trustee for a five year term and one Library Trustee to fill a vacancy for a one year term.

Governor, Attorney General, and Comptroller

Statewide citizens will be asked to cast a vote for New York State Governor, Attorney General, and Comptroller.

The current Governor Kathy C. Hochul was sworn into office in 2021. Now up for re-election she will be the Democratic and Working Families parties candidate on the ballot. Her lieutenant governor running mate is Adrienne E. Adams. The challenger for governor is Republican Bruce A. Blakeman who will be the Republican, Conservative and Vote Affordable parties candidate on this year's ballot. His Lieutenant Governor running mate is Todd Hood.

Current Attorney General Letitia A. James was first elected to office in 2018. Now up for re-election as the Democratic and Working Families parties candidate. Her challenger is Saritha Komatireddy in the Republican and Conservative parties.

New York State Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli has held the office since 2007 and was originally elected by state legislature. He has won the general election each time since 2010. He is running for re-election this year as the Democratic and Working families parties candidate. His Challenger Joseph Hernandez is the Republican and Conservative parties candidate.

Register to vote by October 24 to cast a ballot

NewYork citizens have until October 24 to submit a Voter Registration Application to be eligible to vote in the upcoming election.

You can register to vote online at https://elections.ny.gov/voter-registration-process or you can register in person at the Chenango County Board of Elections office at 5 Court St, Norwich, NY or at any DMV.

Where and when to vote

To find your polling location in Chenango County visit https://www.chenangocountyny.gov/770/Chenango-County-Poll-Sites or https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/

Early voting begins Saturday October 24 through Sunday November 1. All Early Voting for Chenango County for the General Election is conducted at the Borden Ave Skate Rink located at 35 Borden Ave., Norwich, NY.

To receive an absentee ballot or to vote by mail, October 24 is the last day for the county to receive an application. Find instructions on how to apply online at https://www.chenangocountyny.gov/373/Ballot-Information-and-Request

November 3 is the last day to postmark a ballot and it must be received by the Chenango County Board of elections no later than November 10.