Cooperstown’s upcoming mayoral and trustee elections take place this year on March 15, but if one village trustee has his way, subsequent year voting would move to align with general elections held in November.
Trustee MacGuire Benton says he wants the date change to expand voter access as “democracy comes under attack across America.”
“Right now village residents can vote from noon until 9 p.m. in March and not in November when every other election is held,” Mr. Benton said. “My proposal gives six more hours for voting because we could start casting our village ballots at six in the morning on Election Day. Right now, we have no days for early voting. My proposal would give nine days of early voting.”
Editor’s Note: The Rev. Paul Messner, pastor of the county’s Lutheran churches, including Oneonta’s Church of the Atonement and Hartwick Seminary’s Evangelical Luther Church, sent out this Election Day message to his flock.
Pastor Messner
Today is Election Day. I hope you will be doing your civic duty and going to vote – if you haven’t already. The news companies are reporting that prior to today nearly 100 million Americans have already cast their ballots.
It is always a solemn and powerful time in our federal republic, that we have the privilege to freely cast our democratic vote and, in so doing, choose our leaders at the federal, state and local levels of government. This is a right too few people in our world enjoy.
Patrons Clyde Sanders and Stephanie Adams, above, chat with Barbara Boulanger, proprietor of Cooperstown’s Doubleday Cafe, which this year is hosting the Rotary Club’s Election Day Pancake Feast, which will be underway until 6 p.m. this evening. Inset, Rotarian Susan Miosek mans the “warming station” at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” church hall, where pancakes can also be picked up; (also at polling places in the Clark Sports Center and Fly Creek municipal building.) The breakfasts are $8, and Rotarians are also doing home deliveries; to place an order, call 607-821-0180. Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh Kuch, who is club historian, reports the breakfasts have been an annual Election Day club event at least since 1957. The mayor is a past Rotary president, as was her father, George. (Jim Kevliin/AllOTSEGO.com)
PANCAKE FEAST – 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. & 4 – 7 p.m. Enjoy hot pancakes, apple cider, sausage, & more served by Cooperstown Rotary club on election day. Cost, $6/adult. Veterans Club, 60 Main St., Cooperstown.
Dave Bliss, Republican chair of the Otsego County Board and a Rotarian, pours coffee for state Sen. – and candidate – Jim Seward, R-Milford, a few minutes ago at the traditional Cooperstown Rotary Club Election Day pancake breakfast at the Vets’ Club. With the senator are, from his left, daughter-in-law of two months Kelly Ann, daughter Lauren, wife Cindy and son Ryan. Seward is being challenged today by Democrat Joyce St. George, Margaretville area. Inset, Democratic kingmaker Richard Sternberg joined the Republican table that includes, at left, county Sheriff Richard J. Devlin, Jr. and County Clerk Kathy Sinnott Gardner; at right is Republican County Chair Vince Casale, who is also a top adviser to Republican Marc Molinaro’s campaign against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Devlin is being challenged by Republican Bob Fernandez, a retired state trooper who appears on the Democrat line. Sinnott Gardner is unopposed. “I like these people,” said Sternberg. The polls are open across Otsego County until 9 p.m. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Voting was brisk at the City of Oneonta’s polling place at Foothills Performing Arts Center as the midterms got underway. A voter there at 7:45 a.m. said she was the 142nd to cast ballots, a lot for that early. A Cooperstown voter said 79 ballots had been cast by 7:20 at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, also higher than usual. Above, Election Inspector Judy Staruck, Schenevus, hands Michele Clapperton an “I Voted” sticker after she cast a ballot. “This is one of my favorite days of the year,” said Clapperton. “I love seeing everyone here exercising their Constitutional right.” Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 9 p.m. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Abbey Koutnik, Oneonta, right, gets her voting ballot from Election Inspectors Louise Sandoli and Marty Becker at Foothills this afternoon for County and Town races. Polls will remain open until 9 p.m. this evening. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
GENERAL ELECTION – 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Vote on public officers, whether to hold a constitutional convention for NYS, the use of Forest Preserve land, and more. Visit www.otsegocounty.com/depts/boe/
PANCAKES – 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy hot pancakes, sausage, maple syrup, apple cider, apple sauce, coffee this election day. Cost $6/adult, $4/child. Cooperstown Vets Club, 60 Main St., Cooperstown.
John Salka, the Republican Brookfield town supervisor and Madison County legislator who is challenging Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, for the 121st District seat, shakes hands with Bobby Walker, Cooperstown, founder of the Otsego County Young Republicans, at the Cooperstown Rotary Club’s pancake meal at the Vet’s Club this morning. Behind him is Tony Casale, the retired assemblyman, and state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, and wife Cindy. Seward is being challenged by Democrat Jermaine Bagnall-Graham of Sherburne. In addition to president and U.S. senator, also on the ballot are Republican John Faso and Democrat Zephyr Teachout, vying to succeed Congressman Chris Gibson in the 19th District. By the way, the Rotary is serving pancakes until 2 p.m., and again from 4 to 7 p.m. ($6 for adults) – and polls are open until 9 p.m. around Otsego County. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
After casting his vote at 9 a.m., Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig hands his folder to election official Bob Hobkirk at the Foothills Preforming Arts Center. Polls opened at 6 this morning and by 9 almost 200 ballots had been cast. They will remain open until 9 tonight. Key Oneonta races include two county board contests – Quackenbush-Stammell in the town and Gelbsman-HornburghHeilveil in the city – and three Common Council seats. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
