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2024 ELECTION GUIDE

Updated: 2 days ago

If you haven't already heard, IT'S ELECTION SEASON!


Table of Contents/TL;DR
Voting on Election Day? Click here to find your polling location and check your registration status. Click here to find Early Voting locations if you are voting early!


WHY BOTHER?

If we really want a democracy and human rights in this country and in our communities, we have to first accept that for all the progress generations of ancestors have made in fighting for a country that includes their voices, in the United States, in the City of Buffalo, and in Erie County democracy does not include a large portion of the population. Then each of us have to decide, are we going to be committed to democracy or are we going to be committed to rule by white, wealthy, male minority?


This fight is a long one and voting is only one tool that we can use to help shape public policy and determine who represents us and the values we want in our representatives. BUT it works best when we all participate, participation is accessible, we make decisions based on accurate information, and when we follow up our vote with other forms of civic participation. Democratic participation is more than going out to vote every four years, and it is essential that we continue to hold those in power accountable. However voting for the representatives that reflect the world in which we are fighting to build, where everyone has the resources to not only survive but thrive and everyone has the ability to participate in the decisions that impact their lives, is the first step.


The 2024 election cycle in the Erie County includes key federal, state, and local races. While the Presidential election has been at the forefront of most people's attention, the outcome of state and local races, in addition to ballot measures have the potential to profoundly impact our daily lives across Erie County. We break down which races will be on Erie County residents' ballots this November, your voting rights, and additional resources to support you in making your decision in who to vote for and what to do if you run into barriers.


MAJOR RACES

Candidates listed are those that qualified for ballot access along with qualifying party lines according to Erie County Board of Elections.  We will update the current list of races if any new races are added.

* Indicates incumbency | ** Indicates incumbency via appointment


  1. Presidential Election

    • Candidates will represent the major parties (Democratic and Republican). While in other states, third party candidates have made it onto the ballot, in New York State no third party candidates made it onto ballot for the Presidential race. 

      • Vice President Kamala Harris is seeking election with Tim Walz as her running mate. They are running on the Democratic Party and the Working Families Party line in New York State.

      • Former President Donald Trump is seeking election with U.S. Senator of Ohio J.D. Vance as his running mate. They are running on the Republican and the Conservative Party line in New York State.

  2. Congressional Elections
    • U.S. Senate

      • 33 Senate seats are up for election, including competitive seats in states like Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia.

      • New York U.S. Senate (6 Year Term - Vote for 1)

    • U.S. House of Representatives 

      • All 435 seats are up for grabs, with Republicans currently holding a slight majority. Control of the House will determine the success of the next president’s legislative agenda. There are two U.S. House of Representative elections that will be on Erie County ballots this November, one for each district depending on where you live. 

      • NYS 23rd Congressional District (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • NYS 26th Congressional District (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

  3. New York State Wide Elections

    • NYS currently has a Democratic State government trifecta, meaning that the Democratic political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

    • New York State Senate
    • New York State Assembly

      • Find your Assembly District arcg.is/mjufK1

      • District 139 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 140 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 141 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 142 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 143 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 144 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 145 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 146 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 147 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 148 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 149 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • District 150 (2 Year Term - Vote for 1)

    • New York State Supreme Court Justice - 8th Judicial District (14 Year Term - Vote for 4)
    • New York State Ballot Measure Proposal One

      • Equal Protection of Law Amendment

        • The ballot measure would amend the Equal Protection Clause of the New York Constitution to prohibit a person's rights from being denied based on the person's "ethnicity, national origin, age, [and] disability," as well as the person's "sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy."

          • A "YES" vote supports adding language to the New York Bill of Rights to provide that people cannot be denied rights based on their "ethnicity, national origin, age, and disability" or "sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy."

          • A "NO" vote opposes adding language to the New York Bill of Rights to provide that people cannot be denied rights based on their "ethnicity, national origin, age, and disability" or "sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.”

  4. Erie County Wide Elections
    • Family Court Justice (10 Year Term - Vote for 2)
    • District Attorney (4 Year Term - Vote for 1)
    • District 1 Legislator (To Fill Vacancy - Vote for 1)

      • Lawrence Dupre** (Democratic Party)

    • County Proposal Number One

      • Alters Certain Voting Requirements in the Erie County Charter 

        • Requires that the county legislature impose the state authorized 1% and 0.75% sales and compensating use tax by simple majority vote instead of presently required affirmative vote of two-thirds. 

          • A “YES” vote adds this simple majority vote requirement to the Erie County Charter. 

          • A “NO” vote leaves out this simple majority vote requirement of the Erie County Charter.

  5. Buffalo City Elections
  6. Town of Alden Election
    • Town Justice (4 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • Michael W. Cole* (Republican Party, Conservative Party)

      • Uncontested

  7. Town of Cheektowaga Election
    • Councilmember (To Fill Vacancy - Vote for 1)

      • Walter R Burgett (Democratic Party, Working Families Party)

      • Anthony M Filipski (Republican Party, Conservative Party)

  8. Town of Clarence Election
    • Town Justice (4 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • Michael B Powers* (Democratic Party, Working Families Party, Republican Party, Conservative Party)

      • Uncontested

  9. Town of Colden Election
    • Town Justice (4 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • Martin McMahon* (Democratic Party, Republican Party)

      • Uncontested

  10. Town of Collins Election
    • Town Justice (4 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • Colleen A Kinnaird* (Democratic Party, Working Families Party)

      • Walter C Cain (Republican Party, Conservative Party)

  11. Town of Concord Proposal
    • Town Proposal One (Excludes Village of Springville)

      • Amendment to the Volunteer Firefighters Service Award Program

        • Amends the existing Defined Benefit Program established by the Length of Service Award Program to increase the maximum number of years earned from 30 to 50 years, effective January 1, 2025.

          • A “YES” vote would increase the maximum number of years earned from 30 to 50 years.

          • A “NO” vote would keep the maximum number of years earned at 30 years.

  12. Town of Evans Election
    • Town Justice (4 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • Dennis P Glascott* (Democratic Party, Conservative Party)

      • Uncontested

  13. Town of Grand Island Elections
    • Councilmember (To Fill Vacancy - Vote for 1)

      • Wayne M West (Democratic Party)

      • Jose Garcia (Republican Party)

    • Town Proposal One

      • A Local Law to Modify and Establish Term Limits in the Town of Grand Island

        • The local law will limit the term of office for Supervisor and Councilmember to 12 years, and Town Superintendent of Highways and Town Clerk to 16 years, excluding terms completed before January 1, 2025.

          • A “YES” vote would modify current term limits for Supervisor and Councilmember and establish term limits for Town Superintendent of Highways and Town Clerk in the Town.

          • A “NO” vote would not alter or impose such term restrictions on these offices in the Town.

  14. Town of Lancaster Proposal
    • Town Proposal One

      • Approval of Bond Resolution for Town of Lancaster Park Project

        • Approves August 5, 2024 Bond Resolution, authorizing the acquisition of property for and construction of a Town Park, at an estimated maximum cost of $7,500,000, as described in the resolution.

          • A “YES” vote approves the Bond Resolution and authorizes the borrowing of issuance of serial bonds in an aggregate principal sum not to exceed $7,500,000 for the Town Park Project.

          • A “NO” vote means the Bond Resolution is not approved and the borrowing is not authorized for the Town Park Project.

  15. Town of Marilla Proposal
    • Town Proposal One

      • Change in Term of Office of Town Supervisor from 2 years to 4 years

        • Changes the term of office of the Supervisor of the Town of Marilla from 2 years to 4 years commencing with the first bi-annual election after the effective date of approval.

          • A “YES” vote will change the term of office of Supervisor from 2 years to 4 years starting with the next election.

          • A “NO” vote will keep the term of office of Supervisor at 2 years

  16. Town of Newstead Election
    • Town Justice (4 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • Dennis R Freeman* (Democratic Party, Republican Party, Conservative Party)

      • Uncontested

  17. Town of North Collins Election
    • Town Justice (4 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • Wayne E Luther (Republican Party, Conservative/Common Sense Party)

      • Uncontested

  18. Town of Tonawanda Elections
    • Councilmember (To Fill Vacancy - Vote for 1)

      • Timothy J Hennessy** (Democratic Party)

      • Carl A Heckmann (Republican Party, Conservative Party)

    • Town Justice (4 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • J Patrick Lennon** (Democratic Party)

      • Uncontested

  19. Town of Wales Elections
    • Councilmember (To Fill Vacancy - Vote for 1)

      • David E Newman** (Wales First)

      • Uncontested

    • Town Justice (4 Year Term - Vote for 1)

      • Raymond N Poliseno* (Republican Party, Conservative Party)

      • Uncontested

  20. Town of West Seneca Proposal
    • Town Proposal One

      • A Local Law to Establish Term Limits in the Town of West Seneca

        • The local law will limit the terms for the offices of Town Supervisor and Town Council Members to two consecutive four-year terms for terms after November, 2021.

          • A “YES” vote will establish term limits for these offices of Town Supervisor and Town Council in the Town.

          • A “NO” vote will mean that there will be no term limits for these offices in the Town. 

  21. Village of Kenmore Election
    • Village Trustee (To Fill Vacancy - Vote for 2)

      • Brittany A Jones** (Democratic Party)

      • Donna M Genesky (Democratic Party)

  22. Village of Springville Proposal
    • Town Proposal One

      • Amendment to the Volunteer Firefighters Service Award Program

        • Amends the existing Defined Benefit Program established by the Length of Service Award Program to increase the maximum number of years earned from 30 to 50 years, effective January 1, 2025.

          • A “YES” vote would increase the maximum number of years earned from 30 to 50 years.

          • A “NO” vote would keep the maximum number of years earned at 30 years.


Relevant Resources:

 

VOTER ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for voter registration in New York State, a person must:

  • Be a United States citizen;

  • Be a resident of the county, city, or village for at least 30 days prior to the election,

  • Be at least 18 years old by the date of the election(you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);

  • Not be in prison for a felony conviction; learn more about voting rights for people convicted of a felony, misdemeanor, or are awaiting trial;

  • Not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;

  • Not claim the right to vote elsewhere



Immigrant And New American Voting Rights

Immigrants and New Americans in New York State have certain legal rights and opportunities to vote, depending on citizenship status. 

  • U.S. Citizens: U.S. citizens, whether by birth or naturalization, have the full legal right to register and vote in all elections at the federal, state, and local levels in New York State.

  • Naturalized Citizens: Immigrants who have gone through the naturalization process and become U.S. citizens are eligible to register to vote and participate in all elections in New York State.

  • Non-U.S. Citizens: Non-U.S. citizens, including documented immigrants (e.g., permanent residents or green card holders) and undocumented immigrants, are not eligible to vote in federal, state, or local elections.

Bottom line—only current U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in federal elections, New York State Elections, and any municipal or county election within New York State.


Relevant Resources:


Voting Rights for Individuals with a Disability

Individuals with disabilities in New York State have the right to vote without facing discrimination like any other eligible citizen. The right to vote is protected under various federal and state laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.


Individuals with disabilities have the right to register to vote if they meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of their disability. Voter registration forms should be accessible and available in alternative formats if needed. Individuals with disabilities can register and vote if they have a guardian, unless guardianship is accompanied by an order of incompetence from a judge. A person with a guardian can ask the court at any time to restore their right to vote, if it was taken away.


Polling places must be accessible to people with disabilities. Polling places must provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that individuals with disabilities can vote independently and privately. This may include accessible voting machines, accessible entrances, and assistance for those who need it.

New York State is required to use accessible voting systems that allow voters with disabilities to cast their votes privately and independently. These systems should be equipped with features like audio instructions, large print, and touchscreens.


Voters with disabilities have the right to bring someone to assist them in casting their vote if they require assistance due to their disability. However, certain individuals, like employers or union agents, may not assist voters.


If you have a disability and have any issues registering to vote or voting due to a lack of accommodation, contact DRNY PAVA 1-800-993-8982.

Relevant Resources:


Voting Rights for People Convicted of a Felony, Misdemeanor, or are Awaiting Trial

The vast majority of people who are currently incarcerated have the right to vote. Despite the fact that most persons detained in jail are eligible to vote, very few actually do.


Individuals only lose their right to vote while they are in prison for a felony conviction and while they are serving felony probation or parole. If someone is convicted of a felony and their sentence is suspended or they are released from incarceration, they regain the right to vote. People convicted of a felony need to re-register to vote upon completion of their prison sentence. 


All other convictions do not take away an individual’s right to vote. If someone is incarcerated due to a misdemeanor, a violation, or if someone is incarcerated awaiting trial and is unable to post bail they do not lose their right to vote in New York State. 


Relevant Resources:

VOTER REGISTRATION

To check voter your registration status visit voterlookup.elections.ny.gov


In New York State, you can register to vote online, in person or by mail.


  • Online Registration - To register online you will need to use a NY.Gov ID. If you have previously used a NY.Gov ID with another agency, you may use the same login to access the Online Voter Registration portal. If you have not used a NY.Gov ID you will need to create an account.


    You can also use the Board of Elections’ Online Voter Registration portal to update your voter registration information. Updated information could include a new name, new address, or changing your party enrollment.


    Completed applications are sent to the appropriate County Board of Elections for approval and processing.


  • In Person Registration - In Erie County, you can register in-person the following ways:

    • at the county board of elections

    Erie County Board of Elections

    134 W Eagle St 3rd Fl

    Buffalo NY, 14202

  • By Mail Registration - In Erie County, you can request a registration form the following ways:

    • Request a New York State Voter Registration form by mail by entering your name directly into the Voter Registration Form Request mailing list

    • Call the 1-800-FOR-VOTE (1-800-367-8683) hotline to request a voter application

    Once the form is completed, you need to print the form and sign and date it. Then, mail or deliver the form to Erie County Board of Elections. Note that the Board of Elections cannot accept any kind of digital or Adobe-generated electronic signature.


Voter Registration forms must be received by the Board of Elections by October 26th.


Relevant Resources:


VOTER IDENTIFICATION

Residents of New York State does not require voters to present identification while voting. However, if a voter does not provide valid identification at the time of registration, they must show identification at the polling place when voting for the first time

Voters can present the following forms of identification:

  • A current, valid photo ID, including but not limited to a drivers' license or a DMV-issued non-driver photo ID

  • A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with the voter's name and address


KEY DATES

General Election

The general election is on: 

November 5, 2024 

Polls are open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote 


To look up your polling place visit: voterlookup.elections.ny.gov


Early Voting

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to election day. Early voting begins October 26th and runs until November 3rd.


Early voting locations will be open on Saturday, October 26th & Sunday, October 27th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, October 28th to November 1st 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.


During early voting you can vote at any of the early voting locations regardless of where you live or hand deliver a completed absentee ballot to an early voting location.


Absentee Voting

Any qualified voter may apply for an early mail ballot. You may simply request an early mail ballot without a reason.


Alternatively, a voter may also request an absentee ballot in New York if the voter is:

  • Absent from their county of residence on Election Day;

  • Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability;

  • Unable to appear because they are the primary caregiver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled;

  • A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital; OR

  • In jail or prison for any reason other than a felony conviction. This includes anyone who is awaiting grand jury action, awaiting trial, or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor.


You can request an absentee ballot online or you can call the Erie County Board of Elections at (716) 858-8891 to request one.


Absentee Voting Deadlines:

  • The last day for the board of elections to RECEIVE applications by mail or online for an absentee ballot is October 26th

  • The last day to apply in person for absentee ballot at the Erie County Board of Elections office is November 4th

  • November 5th is the last day to postmark your absentee ballot. It must be received by the county board no later than November 12th

  • The last day to deliver a ballot in person to the county board or poll site, by close of polls is November 5th


Relevant Resources:
 
Additional Resources:

 
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