SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Before the polls were opened, the 2023 election for the majority of offices in Onondaga County had already been decided. Members of both Democratic and Republican parties, as well as independent candidates did not run for 13 of the 17 seats on the Onondaga County Legislature. That marks the most unopposed seats in the election’s entire history, dating back to 1962.
Onondaga County elections commissioner Dustin Czarny has two reasons for this year’s low candidate turnouts.
“Inside the city of Syracuse, we have polarization happening in districts because there are way more Democrats than Republicans,” Czarny said. “But, that’s also a factor of gerrymandering because they’ve packed these districts to put in as many Democrats in about six or seven districts as possible.”
While 2023’s number of candidates was a record low, Czarny isn’t worried about future elections.
“There was less competition on the county legislature level, but there was more competition on the county-wide level where every voter had a choice of six different races,” he said. “I think low voter turnout is more of a factor of it being an odd year election and not having national races in the mix.”
Onondaga County wasn’t the only place with low candidate turnouts. Camillus and Cicero’s town supervisor positions were also run unopposed.
