With the U.S. presidential race — as well as state- and county-level races on the ballot — early voting got underway Saturday at Cattaraugus County’s two polling locations.
Early votes may be cast at the Cutco Theater at the Jamestown Community College Cattaraugus Campus in Olean, and in the gymnasium of the former Little Valley Central School building, 207 Rock City St.
Remaining hours at both locations are as follows:
For more information on voting in Cattaraugus County, contact the Board of Elections at (716) 938-2400, 2401, 2402 or 2403, or visit www.cattco.org.
STATE & FEDERALIn the 148th New York Assembly District, Joe Sempolinski of Steuben County is the Republicans’ nominee to succeed Assemblyman Joseph Giglio, R-Gowanda, who is retiring at the end of his current term. Dan Brown, the Town of Great Valley supervisor, is the Democratic nominee.
In the 57th Senate District, incumbent Republican Sen. George Borrello of Chautauqua County is unopposed.
Proposition 1, a proposal on the back side of the ballot — also called the Equal Rights Amendment — would add several new groups to the part of the state constitution that prohibits discrimination.
In the 23rd Congressional District, which includes Cattaraugus County, incumbent Republican Nick Langworthy of Erie County faces a challenge from Democrat Tom Carle of Fredonia.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., is challenged by Republican Mike Sapraicone, a retired New York City police detective and Long Island resident.
COUNTY LEVEL
Acting Sheriff Eric Butler of Salamanca is running on the Republican and Conservative lines for election as county sheriff. Denny “DJ” Whitmore of Little Valley, retired after a long career as an administrator in the federal prison system, is the Democrats’ nominee.
Matthew J. Keller is running unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines for a new term as county treasurer.
Bradley Spink is running unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines for a new term as county coroner.
LOCAL RACES
In the town of Farmersville, two candidates are seeking to be named town justice — Jennifer S. Holmes-Karcher is running on the Democratic and Republican lines, and Melanie Louise Brown is running on the Conservative and Independent Community lines.
One race — for a three-year vacant post on the Conewango Town Board — has no candidates listed, with write-ins to decide the person to take the post.
In the town of Hinsdale, voters will decide on Local Law No. 1 of 2024. If approved with “yes” votes, the proposition would increase the terms of offices for the town supervisor, highway superintendent and town clerk/tax collector positions from two to four years.
A proposition will appear on the ballot for the town of Napoli voters as well. The proposition, if approved with “yes” votes, would increase the terms of office for the town supervisor and town clerk from two to four years.
A complete list of posts and candidates includes:
● City of Olean — Three Olean Common Council seats are up for election this year, and only incumbents will appear on the ballot for each seat. JR Bennion is running on the Republican and Conservative lines to represent Ward 1. Jennifer Forney is running on the Democratic, Republican and Conservative lines to represent Ward 3. John Crawford is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines to represent Ward 5.
● City of Salamanca — Sandra L. Magiera is running on the Democratic line for a new term as mayor. John A. Hill is running on the Democratic line for the Common Council’s Ward 1. Ward 2 Kylee J. Johnson is running on the Democratic line for the Common Council’s Ward 2. Ward 3 Barry A. Smith is running on the Republican line for the Common Council’s Ward 3. Ward 4 Michael A. Reed is running on the Democratic line for the Common Council’s Ward 4. Ward 5 Paul L. Myers is running on the Democratic line for the Common Council’s Ward 5.
● Town of Allegany — Christopher J. McPherson is running on the Republican line for a one-year vacant post as town supervisor.
● Town of Ashford — Kay M. Hebdon is running on the Republican line for a four-year term as town justice.
● Town of Conewango — No candidate is on the ballot for a three-year term on the town board to fill a vacancy.
● Town of Ellicottville — Robert G. Germain is running on the Republican line for town justice.
● Town of Farmersville — Jennifer S. Holmes-Karcher is is running on the Democratic and Republican lines, and Melanie Louise Brown is running on the Conservative and independent Community lines for town justice.
● Town of Farmersville — Diane M. Nichols is running on the Republican and independent Good Direction lines for a one-year vacant seat on the town board.
● Town of Franklinville — Wayne L. Holden is running on the Republican line for town justice. Dave J. Furman is running on the Republican line to fill a one-year vacant post on the town board.
● Town of Freedom — Kara A. Brunner is running on the Republican line for town justice.
● Town of Great Valley — Sandra J. Goode is running on the Republican line to fill a vacant one-year post on the town board.
● Town of Hinsdale — Daniel A. Adams Jr. is running on the independent Community Party line to fill a vacant one-year post on the town board. A proposition to increase the terms of offices for the town supervisor, highway superintendent and town clerk/tax collector positions from two to four years will be on the rear of the ballot.
● Town of Leon — John A. Ebel is running on the independent Community Party line for a town justice post.
● Town of Little Valley — Christine M. Wrona is running on the Republican and Working Families Party lines for town justice.
● Town of Lyndon — Emily Robinson is running on the Democratic line to fill a one-year vacant term as town clerk.
● Town of Napoli — A proposition to increase the terms of office for the town supervisor and town clerk from two to four years will be on the rear of the ballot.
● Town of Perrysburg — Lori A. Dankert is running on the Republican line for a term as town justice. Mary J. Stuhr is running on the Democratic line to fill a one-year vacant post on the town board.
● Town of Randolph — Jeffery D. Greeley is running on the Republican line for town justice. Loni J. Nagle is running on the Republican line to fill a one-year vacant term on the town board.
● Town of Salamanca — Seth R. Hostuttler is running on the Republican line for town justice.
● Town of South Valley — Tyler Mendell is running on the Republican line to fill a one-year vacant term as town highway superintendent.
