Category Archives: Interviews

Dustin Czarny, the Democratic elections commissioner for Onondaga County, was one of the dozen commissioners who signed the letter and watched that election unfold from the neighboring district. “One of the most frustrating things that I have to do as an election commissioner is invalidate a ballot for any reason,” Czarny told City & State,Continue reading “Going to the wrong polling place might not mark the end for your ballot – City and State”

“As seats tilt heavy towards one party, the primary election starts to become more important than the general (election),” said Dustin Czarny, Onondaga County’s Democratic elections commissioner. Czarny said it’s clear the winner of the June primary in Central New York will be considered the frontrunner in November against any Republican or Conservative Party challenger.Continue reading “Why the Democratic primary for Congress is Central New York’s most important in decades – Syracuse.com”

The state’s process started with a bi-partisan commission approved by voters in 2014. But the job was handed to lawmakers after it failed to agree on a single set of maps. Czarny says the commission couldn’t be called independent. “The word ‘independent’ was not part of the ballot proposal because of a court ruling thatContinue reading “Onondaga County Elections Commissioners weigh in on new congressional and state legislative districts – WAER”

“I would ask anybody who’s considering this option, at least let us see what happens in New York City over the next couple of cycles … before we jump on this bandwagon and do something,” Czarny said. “Let’s see how it works in another municipality and then learn from their mistakes and then decide whetherContinue reading “Syracuse leaders consider prospect of noncitizen voter eligibility – The Daily Orange”

Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner, Dustin Czarny, said that calls of voter fraud are common when changes like this are made. “Every time there’s a change in election, we see the cries of voter fraud and peril of our election system,” said Czarny. But he says voter fraud really isn’t that common, even during theContinue reading “GOP pushes back against New York’s new absentee voting reforms – North Country Public Radio”

Dustin Czarny, the Democratic election commissioner in Onondaga County, said he was surprised that Katko withdrew before the district maps were finalized. Knowing that Katko is out of the picture might influence how the Democratic-controlled state legislature will set the boundaries. “It gives the Democrats a tactical advantage,’’ he said. Primary petition gathering is scheduledContinue reading “Rep. John Katko’s decision to retire throws race for Congress wide open”

Czarny said to expect the trend to continue as Republicans grow older. “They’re aging out,” he said. “The Republicans are not replacing their older electorate with younger voters and people are moving or passing on.” https://www.syracuse.com/news/2022/01/for-first-time-more-voters-in-onondaga-county-choose-no-party-over-republican-party.html I did a break down with the age groups to buttress my statement above and show the disparity inContinue reading “For first time, more voters in Onondaga County choose no party over Republican Party – Syracuse.com”

“As this reform continues to grow in New York State, and people still want the ability to do an in-person option instead of an absentee ballot, especially with Prop 4′s failure, and we’re still going to have an excuse-based absentee for the foreseeable future, (early voting) is just as important,” said Dustin Czarny, the DemocraticContinue reading “NY continues to overhaul elections with latest absentee ballot, early voting reforms – WBNG”

“We’ve had six each of the last three years. As you know, I’ve advocated for more. Now, the bare minimum will be 10 sites, which many of us have been advocating for in Onondaga County.” https://www.waer.org/news/2021-12-23/onondaga-county-voters-to-see-more-early-voting-sites-changes-to-absentee-ballot-process