Author Archives: dustinczarny

Onondaga Co. Democratic Elections Commissioner speaks about presidential primary being cancelled in NY State – WSYR9

Former Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders announced earlier this month that he had suspended his campaign. This cleared the way for former Vice President Joe Biden. NewsChannel 9 spoke with the Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny on Monday about the change:

Sunday Thoughts:  Democracy delayed but maybe not denied in the time of COVID

2020 has already seen massive changes to the political landscape of New York without one election actually being held.  The COVID crisis has made us think on the fly about how to hold elections, delay elections, and in some cases whether to hold them at all.  The crisis has also shined a light on theContinue reading “Sunday Thoughts:  Democracy delayed but maybe not denied in the time of COVID”

Ahead Of The June Primary, Cuomo Directs Board Of Elections To Mail Voters Absentee Ballot Applications -Gothamist

“There are 1.2 million inactive voters in New York. These are people we don’t have proper addresses for, and their only option is to show up on Election Day,” Czarny said https://gothamist.com/news/ahead-june-primary-cuomo-directs-board-elections-mail-voters-absentee-ballot-applications

Onondaga County Board of Elections offers email applications for absentee ballots – Eagle News

“It will help them be able to cast a ballot safely even if they’re unsure what they want to do. They can have a ballot mailed to them and still choose to vote in person,” said Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny. “People won’t have to choose between their health and exercising their democraticContinue reading “Onondaga County Board of Elections offers email applications for absentee ballots – Eagle News”

New York prepares for crash course in voting by mail – Politico

“The public is going to have to understand that the results are going to be delayed,” Czarny said. “We’re not going to know the results of these elections in total until seven, 10, 14 days after the elections, because we have until then to receive these absentee ballots.” https://login.politicopro.com/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fsubscriber.politicopro.com%2Farticle%2F2020%2F04%2Fnew-york-prepares-for-crash-course-in-voting-by-mail-1918195%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2vyCf09vbZJZeAIgc8bZxvc7l9LLJZH1-l4fAnXr45a4i7fgWH1iIprqo

Anyone can get an absentee ballot for June voting in NYS and it’s as easy as an email – WSYR9

Czarny explains to NewsChannel 9 how it’s done in Onondaga County, “You can get a word document that you can download, or a fillable pdf, whatever is easier for you, save it, email it to absentee@ongov.net and we will then mail you out a ballot.” https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/anyone-can-get-an-absentee-ballot-for-june-voting-in-nys-and-its-as-easy-as-an-email/

Sunday Thoughts: Coalition Building

When the Democratic Primary for President started I made the supposition that the eventual winner would be the one who could best navigate the diverse coalition of the Democratic Party. What I never thought would happen is the quick coalition around Joe Biden and perhaps I underestimated him. What has become obvious is Biden isContinue reading “Sunday Thoughts: Coalition Building”

State Legislature needs to open up absentee balloting

On March 29, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo postponed the planned presidential primary and special elections to June 23. The postponement was supported by both Republican and Democratic elections commissioners throughout New York State. The move protected poll workers and voters from exposure to Covid-19 and the combination of both elections saved local governments much-needed funds.Continue reading “State Legislature needs to open up absentee balloting”