SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Onondaga County is preparing for the 2023 local election. On Tuesday, voters will decide on a number of local legislators, including the race for County Executive.
Local elections have a tendency to keep many voters inside. However, these elections can be more meaningful than some might think. Onondaga County Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny said it’s important for the whole county to make it to the polls.
“These local leaders actually have way more of an impact on your daily life than the national and federal races,” Czarny said. “Your local leaders are the ones who decide how much sales tax you’re going to pay. They pave the roads that you drive on everyday. They determine the funding for public transportation,” he said.
Typically, no more than 40% of voters come out for the local elections, Czarny said. However, the county has seen a spike in early voters this year. Over 5,600 voters have filled out early ballots this year, which is about a 50% increase from 2019 and 2021.
Looking ahead to next year’s election, Czarny recently wrote to lawmakers about how the Onondaga County Board of Elections is not being properly funded. Election officials will have difficulty holding a fair, safe and secure election without proper funding, he said, and is asking New York State for support.
“It’s unfair to the citizens of Onondaga County not to get the same level of service that other counties get,” Czarny said.
Those who are looking to cast their vote on Tuesday can make their way to polling locations across the county from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
