CHENANGO COUNTY – As of Tuesday, registered voters in Chenango County and across New York State can now be approached to sign political petitions for public office State Committee and Judicial Delegate representation. Those living in towns that caucus as opposed to circulating petitions will have the opportunity to sign petitions for county-wide and state offices.

Each election year has different offices expiring, be it at the local, county or state level. This year’s main election in Chenango County will be Town and City Supervisors in Norwich, Norwich Mayor, and District Attorney for Chenango County.

In order for a candidate’s name to appear on the Tuesday, November 5, 2019 General Election ballot, by state law, they must first collect a certain number of qualified voter signatures from their locale on their petitions. If more than one candidate is running for office, a Primary Election is held first to determine whose name will appear on the designating party line of the general election ballot.

As a result of changes in the law, the June and September Primary Elections have been combined into one, which will be on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 with the polls being open from noon to 9 pm.. A number of offices are being sought by more than one candidate while other offices are unopposed. Regardless, all of these candidates who circulate petitions will be asking for voter signatures.

By signing a petition for a candidate, you are supporting their bid to have their name appear on the Primary Election ballot if there is more than one candidate running for that particular office. If running unopposed, a candidate must still circulate a petition in order for their name to appear on the General Election ballot.

It is not unusual for a candidate to have not only their own petition, but those of others running for local or county-wide offices. It is not unusual for friends, family, or that candidate’s election committee to circulate a petition on behalf of that candidate. It is not unusual for a candidate to have blank voter registration forms with them so those not registered to vote can complete the voter registration form.

Candidates request lists of voters based on their political party registration so that they may then map out their route to ensure they are knocking on the right door for the petition they are asking to have signed. This list is supplied by the Chenango County Board of Elections and is public information.

Your signature on a petition is vital to those running for office. By keeping in mind a few simple petition-signing rules, each voter can confidently say “yes” or “no” when asked to sign a petition for a candidate.

Say “yes” to signing a petition if you:

• Live in the town or section of the city the candidate represents

• Are a member of the party the designating petition is circulated for, be it Democratic, Republican, Conservative, or Independence

• If the petition is for an Independent candidate and you have not already signed a designating petition for that same office regardless of your party affiliation

Say “no” to signing a petition if you:

• Have already signed any other petition for the same office. Candidates can and do check each other’s petition signatures, which can result in your signature being voided if you have signed multiple times

• If you are not a registered voter or not a member of the party the designating petition is being circulated for

• If you intend to sign another candidate’s petition

Now that you are familiar with the guidelines of whose petition to sign and under what circumstances you can sign that petition, please remember it is very important how you sign your name and list your address:

• Sign legibly in blue or black ink only

• Do not use nicknames

• Do not use a PO Box address; list only your physical residence address

• The name of the town should reflect your physical residence address, not your mailing address – think of the town your polling site is located in.

• If multiple household members are signing, do not use ditto marks in the address column

Petition circulation is governed by New York State Law and is an integral part of the election process as a whole. It is hoped that this information has provided you a more thorough understanding of what your signature on a petition truly means.

When you are asked to sign a petition, please remember what an important component of the petition process your signature is, and how diligently those asking for your signature have worked in order to have their name appear on the ballot.

Please contact the Chenango County Board of Elections if you are interested in running for any of the Chenango County offices that are posted on our website www.co.chenango.ny.us/elections/offices.php, or if you have any election-related questions at (607) 337-1764 or (607) 337-1765.

If you are uncertain whether or not you are registered, are uncertain what party you are registered in, or if you have recently moved from another location or county and need to register in Chenango County, please call or visit the office of the Chenango County Board of Elections. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.