Onondaga County is seeing a surge of new voters registering just in time for midterms. While exact numbers on new voters are currently unknown, Dustin Czarny, Onondaga County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner, said he expects numbers are up.
“We always see a surge in voter registration before the deadline,” said Czarny. But he added that the Onondaga County Board of Elections is “seeing an increase in activity this year as opposed to four years ago.”
Voters are not usually drawn to polls by midterm races, but this year is different. Czarny said he believes increased political activism, as well hotly-contested senate and congressional races across New York are mobilizing voters. In Onondaga county, this uptick in voter activity could impact voter turnout in a major way.
“I think our last midterm was around 32,” said Czarny, referring the percentage of voters who actually vote versus those who are registered. “In Onondaga County, we may get close to 50. We’re preparing for that.”
Czarny explained that any time there is a big surge in voter registration, there is also usually a higher turnout at the polls once election time comes.
Nicole Gallardo, a clerk at the Onondaga County Board of Elections, has only worked at the board of elections for a year, but has still noticed the rush of voter activity.
“We have a ton of people coming in daily,” said Gallardo.
Voters do not give specifics on why they are voting, such as particular issues or candidates, but they have said general statements about the importance of the upcoming midterms to Gallardo.
“A lot of comments when they hand in forms,” said Gallardo. “They just kinda make remarks here and there.”
She’s heard phrases such as “this is a big election, we need to make our vote count.” Gallardo also believes more voters will show up on November 6th.
Onondaga County will know by next week just how many new voters registered. Oct. 12th was the deadline for registering to vote in the county.
